How to Knit the Three Needle Bind Off

The three needle bind off is a technique for seaming together two pieces of fabric, while binding off at the same time. It is often used for sweater shoulders, as the additional bulk created by the bind off provides additional structure and support to the sweater. It’s a relatively easy, if not time consuming way to finish your work. Though by binding off while seaming you probably save some time in the finishing process.

To perform the three needle bind off you’ll line up your unfinished fabric and work one stitch from each piece of fabric together. Then you’ll do the same for the next stitches. Finally you’ll pass the first stitch over the second, and repeat this process until the end of the row.

• Step 1: Take two pieces of fabric and place them right sides facing each other.
• Step 2: Take a third needle and slide it into the first stitch “knit-wise” on the needle closest to you.
• Step 3: Take the third needle and slide it into the first stitch “knit-wise” on the second needle.
• Step 4: Wrap the working yarn around the third needle.
• Step 5: Pull the stitch through both stitches. (as if they are one stitch)
• Step 6: Pull the stitches off the two needles creating one on the third needle. (repeat once)
• Step 7: Take the first stitch on the third needle and slip it over the second.

Repeat steps 2 – 7 until you have bound off all stitches.