You can use the three-needle bind off in place of Kitchener stitch (aka grafting) if that’s a technique that you don’t enjoy. The closure will be bulkier than the Kitchener stitch, and you’ll have to work from the underside so that the seam is on the inside of the sock. Remember, whichever side of the project you work the three-needle bind off from is the side where the seam will show. Sometimes you may want to see the seam, and other times you’ll want to hide the closure, so keep that in mind as you prepare to bind off.
How to Work the Three-Needle Bind Off
To successfully complete a three-needle bind off, first, you need to confirm that there is the same number of stitches on each of the two double-pointed or circular needles. Then you’re ready to begin the process:
More Uses for the Three-Needle Bind Off
Three-needle bind off is great for joining shoulder seams because it’s quite strong and can hold the weight of the garment without sagging. It can also be used when joining two pieces of knitting at the center, which is common when making a cowl scarf or headband. Another approach to this type of binding off is doing a provisional cast on at the beginning, make those stitches live again when you’re done and then work a normal three-needle bind off. A similar move is used when you knit in a hem on a garment, but the difference is that no actual binding off occurs.
