Decorative cast off knitting is a knitting finishing technique that is usually used to give an aesthetic and creative touch to the end of knitting. Before discussing this knitting finishing technique, it’s good to know what knitting is.
Knitting itself is one of the activities or hobbies of honing hand skills that is quite fun. This knitting can produce beautiful, unique, and functional work. Well, to produce a good knit, of course, there are several techniques that we must master.
Among the stages of knitting, some parts are often overlooked, namely in the closing part of knitting. One of the ways that can be used to end knitting beautifully is by using the decorative cast-off technique. For more details, you can continue to see the explanation in the following article.
3 Ways to Decorative Cast Off Knitting
Decorative cast-off is a technique of ending knitting in a more interesting way than the usual cast-off technique. This technique is often applied to the part of the knit that will be the end or edge. Examples can be found on scarves, shawls, or scarves.
Apart from containing decorative aspects, some of these techniques can also provide elasticity to the knitted edge. This can also prevent the edge from stretching during use. By using decorative cast-off, you can create interesting and unique finishing touches to your knitted work.
Here are some decorative cast off knitting techniques that are often used.
I-Cord Bind Off
I-Cord Bind Off is a method of binding off the end of knitting that results in a neat-looking edge. This technique requires slightly more yarn and time than the traditional binding method. Therefore, proper planning is a must. You can try the I-Cord Bind-Off technique with the following steps:
- Knit the first 3 stitches as usual.
- Next move the last 3 stitches you have knitted to the left end of your knitting needle.
- Slide those 3 stitches back to the right end of your knitting needle.
- Knit the first 2 stitches as usual.
- Lift the first stitch over the second and knit them together through the back.
- Next, slide the resulting 2 stitches back onto the left end of your knitting needle.
- Repeat steps 3-6 until only 1 stitch remains on your needle.
- Finally, cut the yarn and pull the yarn through the last stitch to secure it.
Picot Cast Off
Picot cast-off is a decorative cast off knitting technique that results in wavy detailed edges. The steps to perform Picot Cast Off are as follows:
- With the side of the knit to be displayed facing you, perform the cast-on method to add 2 stitches.
- Then, perform the final binding method for 4 stitches.
- Slide the last stitch from the right needle to the left needle.
- Repeat steps 1-3 until 1 stitch is left on the needle.
- Pull the thread through the last stitch to secure it.
Three Needle Bind-Off
Three Needle Bind-Off is a decorative cast off knitting technique that is applied to join two knitted parts that are still on the needle. As a result, the knit stitches will be thicker, yet strong and sturdy.
- Place the two knitted pieces to be joined side by side, with the side of the knit to be cast on facing outward.
- Insert the third needle through the first stitch on both knitted pieces.
- Knit the stitches as usual, and leave the stitches on the needle.
- Repeat steps 2-3 for the second stitch on both knitted pieces.
- Next, with two stitches still on the third needle, knit one more stitch through both stitches.
- Knit the next stitches on both knit sections together through the back.
- Repeat steps 5-6 until all stitches have been bound.
- Cut the yarn to a length of about 15 cm.
- Pull the yarn through the last stitch and tie it off with the yarn still attached to the knit.
- Finally, close the last stitch and the previous stitch to make a neat end.
That’s the understanding and techniques in decorative cast off knitting that you can learn. Good luck, hopefully reaping interesting knitting results.
