Basic Bind Off: Purlwise
Jen Lucas
Description
The purlwise bind off is a variation of a traditional bind off. Instead of knitting the stitches during the bind off, the stitches are purled. In this video, Jen Lucas demonstrates how to work the purlwise bind off.
Jen states that this bind off can be used for a variety of reasons. It can be used when binding off on the wrong side of stockinette stitch. It can also be used on the right side of a piece, to create a line of purl bumps along the final edge, which can be decorative.
Jen follows these steps to work the purlwise bind off:
1. Purl 2 stitches (2 stitches on right needle)
2. Insert the left needle into the first stitch (the right-most stitch) on the right needle
3. Pass the first stitch over the second stitch (1 stitch remains on the right needle)
4. Purl 1 stitch (2 stitches on right needle)
Repeat steps 2 – 4, ending with step 3 with one stitch remaining on the right needle. Cut the yarn, leaving an approximately 6-inch tail. Fasten off by pulling the yarn through the final loop.
Once the bind off has been demonstrated, Jen shares her tips for blocking a piece that uses this technique. She prefers to pin down the individual picots when wet blocking a project.