How to Bind Off Knitting With a Crochet Hook

You can use a crochet hook to bind off knitting instead of using two knitting needles! I find this crochet bind-off technique quicker and easier than a traditional bind off, and it also helps me maintain even tension so the finished edge isn’t too loose or too tight.

Also called a crochet cast off, this technique simply replaces your right-hand knitting needle with a crochet hook. It works for both a knit bind off and a purl bind off and is easy to learn with just a few simple steps.

Below I’ll show you how to bind off knitting with a crochet hook using both a video tutorial and step-by-step photos.

What Is a Crochet Bind Off?

A crochet bind off is a method of binding off knitting using a crochet hook in place of the right-hand knitting needle. You work each stitch from the left needle with the hook and pull it through the loop already on the hook, creating the finished bound-off edge as you go.

What Size Crochet Hook Should I Use?

To ensure your tension is not too tight, choose a hook that is the same size or even one size larger than the needles you used for your project. For example, if you are using size US 5 / 3.75 mm knitting needles, you would choose a US F-5 / 3.75 mm crochet hook or a US G-6 / 4 mm crochet hook. And if you find you bind off very tightly, you can even go up to a US H-8 / 5 mm crochet hook. Check your bound-off stitches as you go to ensure you are using the right tension.

How to Bind Off Knitting With a Crochet Hook: Video Tutorial

In the video below, I show how I use a crochet hook to do a knit bind off. As mentioned above, you can just as easily use this technique for a purl bind off as well by inserting the hook purlwise instead of knitwise.

How to Bind Off With a Crochet Hook: Step-by-Step Instructions

Put aside your right-hand needle and use a crochet hook.

For the first stitch only …

Insert the crochet hook knitwise (or purlwise for a purl bind-off) through the first stitch on the left needle.
Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch, then slip the stitch off the left needle. One loop will remain on your hook.

For remaining stitches …

Insert the crochet hook knitwise (or purlwise) through the next stitch on the left needle.
Yarn over and pull the yarn through the stitch on the left needle and through the loop already on your hook.
Slip the stitch from the left needle (one loop is on your hook again).
Repeat to the last stitch (or for a partial bind-off, the number of stitches specified in your pattern).
When you have finished binding off all the stitches, cut the yarn, leaving a few inches for a tail. Pull the tail through the final loop to fasten off, then weave in the end.

Insert crochet hook knitwise through first stitch to bind off knitting — Step 1 – Insert hook through first stitch as if to knit

Yarn over and pull loop through stitch for crochet hook bind off — Step 1 – Insert hook through first stitch as if to knit

These travel crochet hooks are great for carrying in your knitting bag. They are handy for knitters to have on hand for picking up dropped stitches and binding off knitting projects.

Ready to Knit? Try these free patterns …

How to Bind Off Knitting With a Crochet Hook {Video and Photo Tutorial}

Comments

Tine says
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This reminds me so much of knooking, which I enjoy very much. That technique uses the hook not only for knitting and binding off the final row, but you’re knitting the whole project with a hook as your main needle.
Corine Dusin says
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I’ve never seen the crochet hook bind off.. thanks for sharing. Where do we get the travel crochet hook?
- Julie says
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  Click on the link, it will take you to Amazon.
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