The Decrease Bind-Off is quick, easy, and stretchy. It’s a great bind-off for ribbing, and pairs well with the German Twisted Cast-On. Learn the technique in this knitting tutorial!

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Knit 2 Together (k2tog)

This version of the Decrease Bind-Off uses the knit 2 together decrease. For more information on that decrease, check out this Knit 2 Together Tutorial.

Back Legs and Other Decreases

A common variation of the decrease bind-off uses k2tog decreases worked in the back legs of the stitches instead of the front legs. This gives it a slightly different look, more similar to a traditional, basic bind-off.

It can also be done with other single decreases such as slip-slip-knit (ssk), slip-slip-purl (ssp), or purl 2 together (p2tog). Which to use is a matter of personal preference and the look you are trying to achieve. Try a few different decreases to see how they look! Do you have a favorite?

The German Twisted Cast-On is my go-to cast on for most projects. It’s a relatively stretchy cast-on that creates a first row of stitches. Learn the technique in this knitting tutorial!

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This post contains sponsored content and/or affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I may get a commission.

Long Tail Cast-On

Many of us learned a long tail cast-on early in our knitting journey. The German twisted cast-on is just a slight variation of that cast-on. See a demonstration of the long tail cast-on in Lunchtime Live Episode 61. The demo portion is near the end of the video.

How to Knit the German Twisted Cast-On

(Scroll down for video tutorial)

This cast-on requires only one needle. When you are first learning it, I suggest using a needle 1 size larger than you will be knitting with, as it tends to get tight until you are used to the motions.

First, make a slip knot leaving a tail about 3-4 times the length of your cast-on edge. Place the slip knot on your needle and hold it in your dominant hand. This slip knot counts as your first stitch cast on. Then lay both the tail and ball end of the yarn across your other palm and grip it with your last 3 fingers (middle, ring, and pinky).

Next, insert your thumb and index fingers between the two strands.

Turn your hand so that your thumb and index finger are pointing up, creating a V or Y shape with the yarn between your hand and the needle. There should be one loop around your thumb and one loop around your index finger. Each has an inner and outer strand.

Now begin the repeating steps to cast on each stitch: *Insert your needle under both strands on your thumb. Twist it backwards and insert it between the strands to twist the loop that is on your thumb.

Allow your thumb to bend, opening up the loop. Bring the needle over and around the inside strand on your index finger and pull that strand through the twisted loop on your thumb.

Release the loop from your thumb and tighten while repositioning your thumb as before. You have now cast on 1 more stitch.

Repeat these motions (from *) to cast on as many stitches as needed.

German Twisted Cast-On Video Tutorial

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Learn to knit the basic bind-off! Also called the knit bind-off, this beginner-friendly technique is an easy way to finish your knitting. Pulling each stitch through the one before it secures your stitches and gives your knitting a smooth, finished edge.

Casting On

Before you can knit, you need to get some stitches onto your needle. Creating this starting row is called casting on. When you’re first learning, I recommend using either the long tail cast on or knitted cast on method.

Knitted cast on

When I’m teaching in person, this is the cast on method I usually use. It uses a slight variation of the knit stitch to add more stitches to your needle. Since it’s so similar, it’s a great introduction to the knit stitch itself. But some students find it confusing to switch from the cast on to the regular knit stitch without mixing up the steps.

Learn the knit cast on in this tutorial.

Long tail cast on

This is the cast on I tend to use myself for most projects. It takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it’s super fast. The difficult part for new knitters is learning how to hold and manage the yarn. But once you have that in place, it’s fairly easy.

Learn the long tail cast-on in the demo portion of this Lunchtime Live video. The demo begins at 5:22 on the video.

Scroll Down for Video

All the pictures here show right-handed knitting. The video includes both English and continental style for both right and left-handed knitting. Please see the video to see each variation separately.

Tensioning the yarn

In order to knit, you need to hold and control your working yarn with some tension on it, and at the same time hold your two needles. There are lots of different ways to do this.

With whichever hand I’m using, I like to place my yarn over my index finger, under the next 2 fingers, and then over my pinky.

When I close my hand, I can stick my index finger out to create a tensioned workspace. The rest of my fingers are free to hold one of the needles. Sometimes, I wrap the yarn around my index finger a 2nd time for more control.

The key is to find a grip that gives you control, while also being comfortable over long periods of time. If you start to feel any strain in your hand at all, you may want to adjust your grip to avoid repetitive strain injuries.

English vs. continental knitting

There are many styles and variations of knitting but these two are by far the most common. English style is sometimes referred to as throwing, and continental style is referred to as picking. The difference lies largely in which hand is holding the yarn.

Working needle

Your working needle is the needle that starts off empty. This is the one you will be using to create new stitches, and the new stitches will go onto this needle. For both English and continental styles, your working needle goes in your dominant hand. The other needle goes in your other hand.

Holding the yarn

For English style knitting, tension your yarn with your dominant hand. This is the same hand that is holding your working needle, as in the picture above.

For continental style knitting, tension your yarn with your other hand. This is the same hand that is holding your other needle.