You can also use the Standard Bind Off to take the stitches off your needles when you have been working in the magic loop. Bind off down one side of your work, turn, and adjust your knitting needles. Then, bind off down the second side of your project to make a smooth edge to your round.
Before you start, remember to loosen up:
This bind off tends to be a bit tight, so you may want to loosen up your tension when knitting this last row. Many patterns will specifically tell you to “bind off loosely,” to remind you to adjust the tightness of the stitches.
Or, go up two or three needle sizes:
Instead of adjusting how tightly you knit, you can also switch needle sizes. Try moving to a needle that is two or three sizes larger than the one you have been using for the rest of the pattern. This allows you to keep the same knitting tension in your yarn as you cast off, while still loosening the bind off stitches enough to match the rest of the piece. Some patterns instruct you to switch needle sizes for the last row, to help you ensure your ends are more even.
Below you will find both video and written guides to help you learn how to bind off your long circular needles.
Video Guide: How to Bind Off in the Round in the Magic Loop
Written Guide: How to Bind Off in the Round in the Magic Loop
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 1:
Following the pattern you have been using for previous rows, knit the first two stitches of your last row.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 2:
Insert the left needle tip into the front loop of the first knit stitch on your right needle from front to back.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 3:
Lift the first stitch on the right needle up and over the second stitch on the right needle.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 4:
Pull the second stitch on the right needle through the first stitch.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 5:
Slide the left needle out of the stitch on the right needle.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 6:
At this point, the first knit stitch should be anchored onto the second and only one loop should remain on your right-hand needle.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 7:
Following your pattern, work the next stitch off your left needle and onto the right needle.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 8:
In the same manner as before, lift the first stitch on your right-hand needle over the second stitch, drawing the second stitch through the first, leaving only one stitch on your right-hand needle.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 9:
Repeat steps seven and eight until you have reached the last two stitches and freed the left-hand needle from your work.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 10:
Turn your work by rotating the entire project so that the back side of your magic loop is on the front side. Pull the needle cord on the front side of your work leftward, to bring the front needle back into the live stitches. Take care not to let go of the right-hand needle or you may drop the single stitch it holds.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 11:
Continue binding off the second side of your magic loop by repeating steps 7 and 8.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 12:
Work in the same manner until you have reached the last stitch and freed the left-hand needle from your work.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 13:
Set your work down, leaving the knitting needle in the last stitch. With very sharp scissors, clip the working yarn about eight or ten inches away from your last stitch. This will free your work from the ball of yarn.
Bind Off Magic Loop, Step 14:
Pull the yarn tail through to anchor it in; do this by enlarging the last stitch with your knitting needle until the tail slides completely through. The loop will become a straight loose end.
Practice With My Knitting Patterns
Ready to try it?
In this lesson, I am knitting Simple Fingerless Gloves, which require a standard bind off at the end of the fingers and thumb.
My Beginner Knit Ear Warmer Pattern will ask you to bind off in the round at the end of the project.
My Basic Ear Warmer Pattern uses this technique, as well.
Or, practice this bind off with my pattern for knit Leg Warmers.
Up Next
The next step in making a glove or mitten is to turn the stitches on your stitch holder into a thumb. In the next lesson, I’ll show you how to work of a stich holder to knit a thumb, using double point needles.
Go Back to the Learn to Knit Index