Kitchener Double-Rib Bind-Off

Category:
Bind-Offs, Stretchy/Ribbed Bind-Offs

If you want a 2×2 ribbed bind-off that’s stretchy and truly invisible, look no farther than the Kitchener Double-Rib Bind-Off. The bind-off stitches blend into the 2×2 ribbing perfectly, making it look like the edge is hemmed.

Video: Kitchener Double-Rib Bind-Off

Characteristics: 2x2 rib, great for toe-up socks, invisible, recommended, sewn, slow, stretchy
Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

Instructions

1. Cut yarn, leaving 3x the width of sts to be bound off, +6 in. for weaving in later.
2. Slide needle out of stitches.
3. K sts come forward, P sts go back.
4. Slide 1 needle into the P sts and the other into the K sts.
5. Make sure you have the same # of sts on both needles.
6. Thread yarn onto a tapestry needle.
7. With tapestry needle, go purlwise into 1st st on front needle.
8. Pull yarn through (snug, not tight).
9. Go knitwise into 1st st on back needle.
10. Pull yarn through. 
11. Go knitwise into 1st st on front needle.
12. Pull yarn through, push st off needle.
13. Go purlwise into 1st st on front needle.
14. Pull yarn through.
15. Go purlwise into 1st st on back needle.
16. Pull yarn through, push st off needle.
17. Go knitwise into 1st st on back needle.
18. Pull yarn through.
19. Repeat steps 11-18 to last 2 sts.
20. Go knitwise into 1st st on front needle, remove st.
21. Go purlwise into 1st st on back needle, remove st.
22. Pull yarn through.
23. Weave tail down edge.

Kitchener Double-Rib Bind-Off - Step-by-Step Photo Instructions

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Animated GIF: Kitchener Double-Rib Bind-Off

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More Information

The trick to this bind off (and it’s only a little scary) is to take the stitches off the needle and slide them onto two needles - one needle into the knits (which will naturally come forward) and one needle into the purls (which naturally recede).

Then all that remains is to bind off the stitches with Kitchener Stitch (which I show you in this tutorial as well as in its own place in this course).

Take it from me that this technique is about 100 times easier than the Invisible Ribbed Bind-Off for 2x2 Rib.