When you have finished knitting the length of your project, you must finish the edge. This is called binding off (or casting off). The standard bind-off creates a clean, solid edge that secures your stitches so that your project won't unravel when taken off the needles.
Step-by-Step: Standard Bind-Off
You typically bind off from the right side (RS) of your work. Here is how you do it:
Step 1: Knit Two Stitches
Knit the first two stitches on the left needle. You now have two stitches on the right needle.
Step 2: Insert Left Needle Tip
Insert the tip of the left needle into the first stitch you knitted (the back stitch on the right needle), from left to right.
Step 3: Lift Over
Lift that back stitch up, over the front stitch (the one knitted last), and off the right needle. You are left with one stitch on the right needle. You have bound off your first stitch!
Step 4: Repeat
Knit the next stitch from the left needle, so you have two stitches on the right needle again. Repeat the process of lifting the back stitch over the front stitch and off the needle. Do this until you have knitted and bound off all stitches from the left needle.
Step 5: Secure the Tail
At the end, you will have only one loop left on your right needle. Cut the yarn (leave about 15-20 cm tail for weaving). Pull the knitting needle upward to expand the loop, feed the cut end through this loop, and pull snug to lock the knot.
Tip for an Elastic Bind-Off
Many beginners bind off too tightly. If you bind off a sock cuff or sweater neck too tightly, the edge won't stretch enough to fit over the foot or head.
Solution: Try going up a needle size (by 0.5 mm or 1.0 mm) just for the bind-off row. Alternatively, you can use a stretchy bind-off method like the Italian bind-off, which is perfect for ribbing.