Italian bind off: an easy version

A very neat, firm, "professional" looking bind off for 1x1 ribbing, recommended for sleeve cuffs, cardigan hems, button bands... Works flat as well as in the round.

My version is:

- simplified: I skip the set up rows that you often see in other tutorials

- easy to memorize: I break things down into only two "maneuvers.”

Scroll down for full instructions.

DIRECTIONS (worked on an even number of sts - but the same principle applies for an odd number of sts):

[Preparation: Thread yarn tail 3 times the width of your knitting onto tapestry needle. First stitch: insert knitwise (since it's a knit stitch), pull yarn tail through and slip stitch off the needle]

• Your next st to work is a PURL stitch. You will work the PURL MANEUVER on the first two stitches. I like to think of it as “purl, purl slip off”:

• With yarn in front of work, insert tapestry needle purlwise through second st from needle tip, pull yarn through. Now insert tapestry needle purlwise through first st, pull yarn through and take first st off the needle.

• You next st to work is a KNIT stitch. You will work the KNIT MANEUVER on the first two stitches. I like to think of it as “knit from back, knit, slip off”:

• With yarn at back of work, insert tapestry needle between first two stitches from back to front, then knitwise through second st from the needle tip, then pull yarn through. Now insert tapestry needle knitwise through first st from needle tip, pull yarn through and take first st off the needle.

• Continue alternating purl and knit maneuvers until all sts but one are bound off. For the last st (in case of an even number of sts), insert tapestry needle knitwise (since it's a knit stitch), then pull yarn through and take st off the needle.