How to do an Italian bind off with Knit 1 and Purl 1

In this DROPS video we show how to do an Italian bind off to a rib with knit 1 / purl 1 by sewing the bind off edge with needle and thread. With this technique we get an elastic bind off that is perfect for example on toe up socks, edge around neck, a shawl edge or sleeve edges when working top down. Cut yarn long enough for your bind off, approx 3-4 times the length of the edge you are binding off. Part 1: Start from the right side (the first stitch should be a knit stitch). Insert the needle into the 1st stitch as if to knit, lift the stitch off the needle, insert the needle into the 2nd stitch on the left needle (= knit stitch) as if to purl. Pull the thread through these 2 stitches (= 1 stitch bind off). Part 2: Insert the needle into the 1st stitch (purl stitch) as if to purl and lift the stitch off the needle, then insert the needle from the back side between the 1st and 2nd stitches and insert the needle through the 2nd stitch (purl stitch) as if to knit, pull the thread completely through the 2 stitches. Repeat Part 1 and Part 2 until all the stitches have been bind off. For each time Part 1 and Part 2 have been completed, 1 stitch is bind off. We use the yarn DROPS Snow in the video. This technique can be used in many patterns; you’ll find pattern by clicking on the pictures under: