The 3-Needle Bind Off is a great finishing technique for joining two pieces of knitting that are still on the needles. It is also a great time saver because you bind off and seam all at once!

First we’ll show you the standard method, scroll down to find a modified version!

3-Needle Bind Off

Note that a 3-Needle Bind Off and the Kitchener Stitch are somewhat interchangeable. The advantage of a 3-Needle Bind Off is that it’s easier to do and that, because it creates an actual seam, it offers some structural integrity. The Kitchener Stitch is a bit trickier to work, but it creates a smooth and seamless finish. Same but different!

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To end up with the seam on the wrong side of your knitting, arrange the two pieces with their the wrong sides facing out. Hold the needles parallel and slip a third (working) needle into the first stitch on each of the two needles.

Wrap yarn around working needle as if to knit, and knit the two stitches together. Allow the first stitch from each of the parallel needles to fall from the needles.

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*Knit together the new first stitch on both parallel needles in the same way as above.

There will be two stitches on the working needle.

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Using one of the two parallel needles, pass the first stitch on the working needle over the second stitch and off the needle, as you normally would when binding off.

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Repeat from * until only one stitch remains on the working needle.

Break yarn and pull the tail through the last stitch to fasten off.

Modified 3-Needle Bind Off

This modification involves just a few extra moves and creates a less bulky seam that lies flatter against the knit fabric. So pretty and smooth, it can be used as a design detail on the right side of your fabric!

Holding needles parallel, insert a spare needle knitwise into first stitch of front needle. Wrap yarn as you would for a knit stitch, but do not pull stitch through.

Next, insert spare needle purlwise into first stitch on back needle, wrap yarn as would for a purl stitch, pull that stitch through, but do not let it off the needle.

Bring yarn between back and spare needles to back of work and pull stitch through front needle.

Let first stitches fall off front and back needles.

*Repeat, then pass first stitch over second. Repeat from * until one stitch remains.