How to Work a Flat Three-Needle Bind-off

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We love the Three-Needle Bind-off as a no-sew solution to joining two pieces of knitting together. It’s our go-to technique for shoulder seams and all sorts of modular constructions. We usually work the Three-Needle Bind-off on the wrong side of our knitting, because it creates a big ridge. The Flat Three-Needle Bind-off is a refinement of this technique that eliminates the ridge, leaving us with a nice, flat chain worthy of being used as a decorative detail.

Regular three-needle bind-off compared to the flat three-needle bind-off — The standard Three-Needle Bind-off on the left; the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off on the right.

What’s Going on Here?

I’ve bound off these swatches on the right sides (with wrong sides together) and I’ve used a contrasting yarn for clarity. With the standard Three-Needle Bind-off (on the left), you’re stacking 2 purl bumps under one side of the bind-off chain, pushing the chain to the side and creating a ridge. With the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off (on the right), the purl bumps fall to the wrong side, allowing the bind-off chain to sit flat against the surface.

Flat Three Needle Bind-off Tutorial: Watch Now

Step-by-Step Directions for the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off

Flat Three-Needle Bind-Off Steps 1-4 — Flat Three-Needle Bind-off Steps 1–4

Set-up the pieces to be joined with wrong sides together and the needle tips pointing to the right (Photo 1).

Insert the third needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit (Photo 2).

Insert the third needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl (Photo 3).

Bringing the seaming yarn up from between the two pieces, wrap the yarn around the third needle (Photo 4). I’m binding off with a contrasting yarn for this sample; you’ll probably use the same yarn you used for your project.

Flat Three-Needle Bind-Off Steps 5-8 — Flat Three-Needle Bind-off Steps 5–8

Bring the yarn through the back-needle stitch, purling it (Photo 5).

Bring the same loop of yarn through the front-needle stitch, knitting it (Photo 6).

Drop both of those stitches off their respective needles (Photo 7).

Keeping the yarn between the two needles, insert the third needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to knit (Photo 8).

Flat Three-Needle Bind-Off Steps 9-12 — Flat Three-Needle Bind-off Steps 9–12

With the yarn still between the needles, insert the third needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to purl (Photo 9).

Purl the back-needle stitch and knit the front-needle stitch, then drop both sts off their respective needles (Photo 10).

Use the tip of one of the left-hand needles to lift the first stitch on the third needle over the second stitch and off the tip of the needle (Photo 11).

One stitch bound off! (Photo 12)

Repeat Steps 8–11 until all the stitches are joined and bound off.

Flat three-needle bind-off — The Flat Three-Needle Bind-off turns a functional join into a decorative detail!

What if You’re a Thrower, not a Picker?

As you can see from these photos, I’m a continental-style knitter (I hold the working yarn in my left hand). That makes it relatively easy for me to keep my seaming yarn between the two needles. But don’t dismiss this technique if you’re an English-style knitter (you hold the working yarn in your right hand). Simply move the yarn to the back before you do Step 8 and bring the yarn to the front before you do Step 9.

Where Will You use the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off?

I’ve used this technique to join blocks for a blanket and to accent the shoulder seam on a plain drop-shoulder sweater. How will you use the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off? Leave a comment and let us know!

Sandi Rosner is the technical content editor for all things yarn at Interweave. When she isn’t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. You’ll find new technical content from Sandi nearly every week at www.interweave.com.

Patterns to Try the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off

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Debby Wilson August 12, 2023

Is it possible to do this bind off but with the right sides facing? I don’t want the bind off to show on my sweater shoulders but like the idea that it may not be as bulky as the standard 3 needle bind off

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1. Sandi Rosner August 14, 2023
  
  You can certainly do this bind off with the right sides facing, but it might leave a little “ditch” at the seam. I’m sure it won’t surprise you that my recommendation is to make a couple of swatches and try joining them with the RS facing, then evaluate your results and see if it gives you the look you’re after!
  
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Susan Stone March 1, 2023

I did a 3-needle bind off for the shoulders on the sweater I’m currently knitting, and after seeing this article I looked at the seam and felt it. There is absolutely no bulk to it. I don’t know if it makes a difference that I did the bind-off right sides facing, but I am very pleased with the lack of bulk on this bind off. I have always done this bind off with right sides facing because I don’t want the seam to show, and because I’ve spent a lot of my life sewing. However, if I’m feeling adventurous I will try this method.

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1. Sandi Rosner March 1, 2023
  
  You’re right – for most seams, which you want to be as unobtrusive as possible, the standard Three-Needle Bind-off worked with right sides together is a fine solution. But if you ever want to make that seam a decorative detail, give the Flat Three-Needle Bind-off a try, working it with wrong sides together. I think you’ll like the result as much as I do.
  
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