Perfect Bind-Off for Garter Stitch: The Icelandic Bind-Off

The fabric spreads out more than Stockinette stitch, but doesn't bounce back in like ribbing, plus you've got those horizontal bumps to try to match.

A regular bind-off just makes a pulled-in, inflexible edge. Ick!

Now, with more than 40 perfect bind-offs at my disposal, I set out to find THE bind-off that I would use on every Garter-stitch project from now on.

I decided the ideal bind-off would be:

-- stretchy but not too stretchy
-- a good match to the horizontal bumps
-- fast and easy

All three turned out to be great choices!
Picking a Winner
For any project over 60 stitches wide, I would choose the fastest one: the Icelandic bind-off, which is what I'm going to teach you today.

The Icelandic bind-off is faster because it is done "on the needles" as opposed to sewn with a tapestry needle.

For any long-edged Garter-stitch project like the Color Affection shawl that's so popular on Ravelry (pictured below), I recommend this excellent bind-off.

It matches the fabric almost perfectly, and is strong, stretchy, and sturdy — just what the doctor ordered.

Tip: You can use the Icelandic Bind-off on any fabric, not just Garter stitch. Try it on Stockinette -- it will make a pretty little rolled edge.

Tip -- many readers have asked what needles I'm using in the video and photos. I'm using my favorites: Signature Needle Arts needles, which I've collected over many birthdays. Make sure to get the Stiletto Tip.

Icelandic Bind-Off Step-by-Step Instructions
1. With R needle, reach through 1st st purlwise.
2. Catch front loop of 2nd st.
3. Draw 2nd st through 1st st.
4. Wrap your yarn to knit. Pull yarn through.
5. Complete the K stitch.
6. Move st back to L needle.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 across row.
8. Cut yarn and pull through last st.

Icelandic Bind-Off: Tips and Tricks
One thing to help you do this bind-off faster is to get into a rhythm.

Don't be afraid to stretch the stitches as you do them so that you can get into a rhythm and make sure that the bind-off comes out nice and even. If your tension varies a lot you'll notice the bind-off won't look as nice.

To go faster: when you put the stitch back on the left needle, leave the right needle-tip inserted in the stitch.

You will already be in position to catch the front loop of the second stitch and start the movement again.

Also, make sure to push each completed stitch onto the barrel of the R needle, even if only briefly, before you pass it back to the left-hand needle.

This will keep the stitches from getting too tight.

This Tutorial Is Part Of "I Love Bind-Offs" -- available March 8th

Where you learn 45 perfect bind-offs for your knitting projects.

Leave A Comment

What's the last project that you did in Garter stitch? Were you happy with the bind-off you used? Can you suggest anything to our readers?

Or were you, like me, doomed to never be happy with your Garter-stitch bind-offs (until now!)?

Leave a comment below and let me know.

[followin_Jesus]

Initially I was confused why a bind off for garter stitch was done on a stockinette swatch but after having started it on my garter stitch project and not really being able to tell where the garter ended and the bind off began, I appreciate the swatch you used because it made it easier to see exactly what the bind off looks like. Thank you, and I agree that it's easy to get into a rhythm and go pretty quickly.

[kailanishaffer]

Awesome tutorial. No unnecessary talking. I love this& saving to my knitting technique folder. Also, thank you for showing both styles of knitting. God bless. 🌺❤️🌺

[acbdasilva]

I LOVE this bind off!! Thank you so much. It was the perfect finish for the huge garter stitch blanket I just finished today.

An extra special thank you because it was a blanket I’ve been working on for a couple months while my little Boston Terrier, Pearl, was curled up in my lap. Pearl recently started having seizures, and after trying everything possible we finally had to take her to the vet to help her cross over. I finished the blanket today (using your bind off) while she laid with me...and then we went to the vet. I don’t think I could’ve finished the blanket without Pearl. THANK YOU for helping me finish it in style...with my baby girl. 💕🐶

[moniquem]

thank you as always easy to understand love that you show it in continental

[mrachelam]

Beginners should know the first part of the tutorial is continental. The description for American comes later in the video. Adding this to the title might help knitters that won't recognize the difference by watching. Great stitch thanks for posting.

[mariaperkins]

Such a great bind off! Always looks perfect. My new go to.

[heyBrownBerry]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this! Really came in handy for my Adama Shawl.

[CrazyGreeneyedCraftylady]

Going to try this when I'm done this long long huge blanket I'm knitting!!

[gayeglasspie]

I am so doing this RIGHT now!! I adore you! as usual

[neenee]

Thank you for the great video. And thank you for also showing how it's done, in the American way. I can usually "translate" from Continental, but it does make it easier when I see it my own way. :)
Thanks for showing how the edge looks once it's done. It's very pretty, & I'm sure I'll give it a go with some projects.

I don't care that you did it with stockinette stitch. It doesn't matter what you did it with. I don't know anyone who sees a new way of doing something & doesn't try it on a swatch first, rather than jeopardizing a blanket or other project. So, I will be knitting a swatch in garter & giving this a try.

Thanks a bunch. :)

[SherryBrubakerPollock]

I'm looking forward to trying this bind off in combination with the Old Norwegian cast on. From your video sample, the edge it creates will match better.

[mildredpierce]

I think this will work for a seed stitch dishcloth. Thank you so much.

[paintnknitter]

Thank you! Lovely bind off and explained so well!

[bernadettechaput]

I think this bind off is awesome. I am a newbie and am glad I saw this before I finished the scarf I am making. As a newbie, can you advise what I am to do with the two strings attached when I am done? I don't want to cut them and then things begin to unravel LOL.

[patriciay]

Thank you for such clear instructions.

[evandeweg]

I really love this bind off and have just used it for my Oblique Rib stitch scarf, but did not pull the yarn through the last stitch, which I find very ugly.

[lilywondertwin]

Any chance you would consider taking up combined knitting?? I love your vides and would love for you to teach me better~ It is so much better on my hands!

[UKPurplePanther]

Very nice. Saved the video, and shall use this method soon.
Thanks for taking the time to post a video.
Is that "I Love Bind-Offs ebook free ? EDIT: I now see you charge 49.99 😲 🙁
Are cast ons and cast offs supposed to match ?

[mjr]

Your title talks about the perfect bind-off for garter stitch, but your sample is stockinette. Any chance you have a video showing how this works with garter stitch. I certainly don't want the garter stitch to roll as your stockinette stitch does. Can I use the same bind-off technique for the garter stitch shawl I am finishing? Would I be better off just using Judy's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off?

[amynorth]

I like the look as it matches a long-tail cast on nicely, but why would I want a cast-off that rolls? I can't think of a time when that is a good thing...