A three needle bind off (3-needle BO or 3-ndl BO) is a bind off used for seaming together two sets of live stitches. In addition to being a way of seaming, it is also a particularly sturdy, and stable bind off. This makes it perfect for shoulder seams or any seam requiring extra stability.
Basic Three Needle Bind Off (3-needle BO)
Have the two sets of stitches to be bound off on two needles. (If necessary, use a smaller sized needle to hold these stitches, but use the correct size needle for your working needle.)
- With right sides together, hold two needles with stitches together and parallel in left hand.
- With a third needle, knit the first stitch from each needle together as if to k2tog.
- Repeat the k2tog from each needle so there are 2 stitches on the right needle.
- *Pass first stitch worked onto the right needle over the second stitch and off the right needle to complete a bind off.
- Work the k2tog from each needle again so there are 2 stitches on the right needle.
- Repeat from * over all or the correct number of stitches.
- Cut the yarn and draw the yarn up through the last stitch or work as directed.
Flat Three Needle Bind Off (flat 3-needle BO)
Have the two sets of stitches to be bound off on two needles. (If necessary, use a smaller sized needle to hold these stitches, but use the correct size needle for your working needle.)
- Using a third needle, go into the first stitch on the front needle as to knit; with yarn to left of needle, go into back stitch as to purl, with the third needle ending up between the left needles and behind the working yarn. Purl the back stitch, and move needle in a figure-8 to bring the new stitch and right needle out of the purl stitch and out through the front stitch from back to front and taking the original stitches off the needle. Return working yarn between needles and repeat from * to get two stitches on right needle. After completing the second stitch, use one of the left needles to BO the first stitch by bringing it over the second stitch and off the right needle. Rep from * to last stitch.
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
Episode 56 – Flat 3-ndl BO from Jill Wolcott on Vimeo.
Episode 56 – Flat 3-ndl BO from Jill Wolcott on YouTube.
Multi-Color Flat Three Needle Bind Off
After picking stitches to bind off, knit 1 row. With larger needle, knit 1 row. Repeat on other piece to be joined.
Using multiple strands of yarn and larger needle as the right needle, work flat 3-needle BO, replacing as follows: *Use a third needle to go into the first 2 stitches on the front needle as to knit; with yarn to left of needle, go into first 2 back stitches as to purl, with the third needle ending up between the left needles and behind the working yarn.
Rep from * to last stitch.
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
Pattern Specific Variations to the Three Needle Bind Off
Sometimes, I include technique variations that are for specific patterns. I always include directions for specific techniques in the pattern itself, so be sure to also read any patterns you’re working on closely.
Flat Three Needle Bind Off Variation for Jupiter’s Rings LGF Merino Ribbon
Hold 2 needles with the stitches to be bound off in the left hand, with the wrong sides together and the working yarn between the needles.
*Using a third needle, go into the first stitch on the front needle as to knit; with yarn to left of needle, go into back stitch as to purl, with the third needle ending up between the left needles and behind the working yarn. Purl the back stitch, and move needle in a figure-8 to bring the new stitch and right needle out of the purl stitch and out through the front stitch from back to front and taking the original stitches off the needle. Return working yarn between needles and repeat from * to get two stitches on right needle. After completing the second stitch, use one of the left needles to BO the first stitch by bringing it over the second stitch and off the right needle. Rep from * to last stitch.
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
Flat Three Needle Bind Off Variation for Jupiter’s Rings Euroflax
Hold 2 needles with the stitches to be bound off in the left hand, with the wrong sides together and the working yarn between the needles.
*Using a third needle, go into the first stitch on the front needle as to knit; with yarn to left of needle, go into back stitch as to purl, with the third needle ending up between the left needles and behind the working yarn. Purl the back stitch, and move needle in a figure-8 to bring the new stitch and right needle out of the purl stitch and out through the front stitch from back to front and taking the original stitches off the needle. Return working yarn between needles and repeat from * to get two stitches on right needle. After completing the second stitch, use one of the left needles to BO the first stitch by bringing it over the second stitch and off the right needle. Rep from * to last stitch.
Cut yarn and pull through last stitch.
