Provisional Bind-off Method

Also Known As

  • Gather bind-off

The Provisional bind-off method is used to close the end of the knitting by gathering or to leave stitches open for grafting, fringing, etc. When using it for the former, use the same yarn; when using it for the later, use a contrasting slippery yarn.

You should choose the method below based the stitch pattern you are using before closing the item. You can mix the two together for ribbed patterns.

Tools needed

  • Round Loom or Rake
  • Tapestry needle

Purl
Knit
Video

Examples of when purl would be used in a gather bind off would be with reverse stockinette stitch and with garter stitch when the row ends with knits.

If you are gathering the end, measure the working yarn by wrapping it around the loom once and cut. If you are leaving the stitches open, use a contrasting color, slippery yarn that is long enough to pass through all of the stitches and tie the ends together at the top without gathering.

  1. Thread the tail or contrasting yarn through the tapestry needle.

  2. Starting with peg 1, draw the yarn through the wrap as if to purl (under the loop and up the peg) with the tapestry needle.

  3. After the yarn has been drawn all the way through, take the wrap off the peg.

  4. Repeat step 2 with each peg going around the loom in a clockwise direction.

  5. Once all of the pegs have been threaded and the piece is off the loom, if you are leaving the stitches open, tie the ends together on top without gathering. If you are gathering, follow the rest of the directions.

  6. Turn the piece inside out.

  7. Gently pull the yarn until the piece gathers tightly together.

  8. Using the tapestry needle pull the needle through a stitch on the other side and tie a knot to secure.

  9. Weave the tail through stitches.

Examples of when knit would be used in a gather bind off would be with stockinette stitch and with garter stitch when the row ends with purls.

If you are gathering the end, measure the working yarn by wrapping it around the loom once and cut. If you are leaving the stitches open, use a contrasting color, slippery yarn that is long enough to pass through all of the stitches and tie the ends together at the top without gathering.

  1. Thread the tail or contrasting yarn through the tapestry needle.

  2. Starting with peg 1, draw the yarn through the wrap as if to knit (above the loop and down the peg) with the tapestry needle.

  3. After the yarn has been drawn all the way through, take the wrap off the peg.

  4. Repeat step 2 with each peg going around the loom in a clockwise direction.

  5. Once all of the pegs have been threaded and the piece is off the loom, if you are leaving the stitches open, tie the ends together on top without gathering. If you are gathering, follow the rest of the directions.

  6. Turn the piece inside out.

  7. Gently pull the yarn until the piece gathers tightly together.

  8. Using the tapestry needle pull the needle through a stitch on the other side and tie a knot to secure.

  9. Weave the tail through stitches.

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