Knit Tip: Binding Off in the Middle of a Row

Knitting garments often involves binding off in the middle of a row to create necklines and armholes. If you're like me, you're bothered by that little gap right before the first bound off stitch. Today, I'm sharing how to get rid of that gap!

In this swatch, I cast on 24 stitches and used markers to make three sections of 8 stitches. To bind off the center stitches, one would generally knit to the marker, slip the marker, and bind off the next 8 stitches.

To eliminate the gap, knit to one stitch before the marker instead, then do this: KFB into the next stitch. You would now have 9 stitches before the marker instead of 8. Use the 9th stitch (the new stitch just made by the KFB) to start the bind off. This means you will need to bind off one extra stitch.

Basically, you create an extra stitch in the row and immediately bind it off, so it doesn't affect your stitch count - but it creates a clean start to your bind off. The gap is gone, and your neckline will look cleaner. Ta da!

The difference becomes much more visible after you've knit a few rows on both sides. Next time, I'll show you guys how to bind of rounded necklines with a sloped bind off, to avoid those stepped edges...

Knit Tip: Joining in the Round (without having a gap)

I've had lots of conversations with knitters about how to join in the round and how to avoid that pesky gap at the beginning of the round. Here is my preferred method of joining.

Place your stitches on circular needles or double-pointed needles. If using double-pointed needles, distribute them evenly (shown here on 3, but you can use 4 if you prefer). Note: Before you join, make sure your yarn is in the back of the work if you are starting with a knit stitch. If you are starting with a purl, place your yarn in the front. You will not be able to move the yarn after joining.

Place the first stitch from the right needle onto the left needle (Stitch A).

Pull the first stitch from the left needle (Stitch B) over Stitch A onto the right needle. Your knitting will now be joined in the round. Stitch A will the the first stitch of the round. Stitch B will the last stitch of the round. Knit normally into the first stitch.