Hint: Sometimes It Means Be Over 🧶
Every knitting project eventually needs to end, and that is where BO comes in. In a pattern, BO = bind off.
It is the instruction that tells you how to finish your stitches so they do not unravel. Think of it as plating up your dish after cooking—it seals everything together so it is ready to enjoy.
👉 Example: “BO all sts” means “bind off all stitches.”
The Real Meaning of BO in Knitting
Binding off closes the stitches on your needle. Without it, your work would quickly unravel. Just as casting on is the start, binding off is the finish line.
There are different bind off methods (standard, stretchy, sewn), but they all secure your stitches so your project is complete.
👉 Want to learn step by step? Learn the standard bind off in my free lesson.
The Twist: BO = Be Over
Sometimes the best part of a project is finishing it. When you bind off that last stitch, it means the counting, the tangles, and the endless rows can finally be over. 🥳
So remember: BO = Be Over. The project is done, ready to show off or wrap up as a gift.
Why BO Matters for Beginners
Binding off is what makes a project usable. Without it, you just have loose loops. With it, you have something finished, secure, and ready to wear or gift.
✨ Want to practice? Try these beginner-friendly projects:
🧶 Beginner Classics Pattern Bundle
📚 Knitting Pattern Library: Explore more patterns
These easy patterns are a great place to start, knit, and bind off. They’re so simple, they’ll be over before you know it!
Find More Abbreviations
Visit the Knitting Abbreviations Main Page to see the whole series.
What’s Next?
Now that you know BO = bind off (and sometimes be over), you are ready to keep exploring the knitting shorthand. Next up: **= repeat the pattern between the asterisks.
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