This crochet bind off, or cast off, trick uses a crochet hook to bind off knitting. I find it much quicker and easier to use a crochet hook to bind off than I do using two knitting needles. Not only do I find it faster, but I feel that it helps me maintain proper tension so my bind off isn’t too loose or too tight.
I recently shared this video on my Facebook and Instagram pages and got such a huge and positive response that I wanted to make sure to share it with you here as well and do give a bit more detail on how it’s done.
This crochet hook bind off trick works for both a knit bind off and a purl bind off. It’s really simple and basically just replaces how you would use your right hand needle for a crochet hook instead.
You can watch how I do it in action in the video below or scroll down for a the written instructions with photos to see step by step of how to do it.
Bind Off knitting with a Crochet Hook {Video}
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.
Instructions for Binding Off With a Crochet Hook -A Step-By-Step Photo Tutorial
Too 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 / 3.75mm crochet hook or a US G-6 / 4.0 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 ensure your are using the right tension.
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 over as usual and pull the loop through stitch and off left needle (one loop is now on your hook).
For remaining stitches …
- Insert the crochet hook knitwise (or purlwise) through the next stitch on the left needle.
- Yarn over over as usual and pull the loop through the stitch on the left needle and through the loop on your hook.
- Slip the stitch from the left needle (one loop is on your hook again).
- Repeat to 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 tail (leaving a few inches for weaving in), and pull through loop to fasten off.
These travel crochet hooks are great for carrying in your knitting bag. They are handy for picking up dropped stitches and binding off knitting projects like I showed here.
Ready for a knitting project to try out this new technique? Try one of my free knitting patterns here.
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.
I’ve never seen the crochet hook bind off.. thanks for sharing. Where do we get the travel crochet hook?
Click on the link, it will take you to Amazon.
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