Work the Alternating Cable Bind Off in just a few easy steps!
If you enjoy the Alternating Cable Cast On, you’re sure to love its matching bind off, specially designed for 1×1 ribbing. Like the cast on, this bind off is easy, stretchy and very polished looking. It looks like a tubular bind off, but without all the fuss.
What you’ll need to know…
There are a couple of elements to this bind off that are a bit counter-intuitive:
- You’ll need to KNIT the purl stitches and PURL the knit stitches, always through the back loop.
- Yarn movement is a little different: when moving the working yarn from a knit to a purl position (and vice versa), it moves around the stitch rather than passing between the needle tips.
- Even if you’re knitting in the round, you’ll want to work this bind off with a double pointed needle in your right hand.
Let’s take a look!
Since it’s a little tricky to show this technique with still photos, I suggest you jump straight to the video after reading through these simple steps.
- Let’s say your first stitch is a knit stitch. With yarn in front, you’ll want to purl it through the back loop. Then, move the yarn to the back by carrying it around the first stitch in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Your working yarn should now be in back ready to knit the next stitch (a purl stitch) through the back loop.
- Once that’s done, you’ll pass the first stitch over the second stitch to bind it off.
- Next, bring the yarn around to the front by carrying it around the first stitch in a clockwise direction. The working yarn is now in position to purl the next stitch.
As long as you keep a few simple rules in mind, this bind off is as simple as knits and purls!
