The three needle bind off

I'm slightly obsessed with knitting at the moment, but it's too hot to knit with wool. It's very sad, because I'm learning all these new things by knitting a little person's cardigan, which was moving along quite quickly until the hot weather landed on us. I think I prefer winter.

One of the new techniques I've learned is the three needle bind off. I've discovered that not only is it really easy, it gives a really nice finish to a seam, and means you don't have to sew it up later. All good!

Here's how you do it:

You've probably got a bunch of stitches on a stitch holder (another great piece of equipment I've used for the first time for this project), so move them onto a spare needle the same size as the ones you're using. I used one of the dpn's I have with a stopper on the end (they're very useful, these stopper thingy's!).

Place right sides together, and hold the two needles with stitches on them so the stitches are kind of lining up. Place the third needle through both first stitches as if to knit (see below).

Wrap the yarn as you would normally, and bring it through both stitches at once. Let both stitches drop off the needles as normal.

Repeat so you have two stitches on your right needle, then bring the back stitch over the front stitch as you would for a regular cast off.

Continue until you've cast off all stitches, then look at your fancy new seam...

Cool, huh?

Next I get to start the neck band, which involves picking up stitches from the edge. Another first! Hurry up cooler weather!!!!