Speedy Bind Off and more WIP

I always have trouble to bind off properly.  When they say “bind off loosely”, or you have to bind off A LOT of stitches, do you struggle?  Well, I do!  I have been experiencing a very tedicious bind off progress - 250 stitches in a row!  I then realized a speedy bind off tip - use a crochet hook!!!  Probably you have already doing so, but I didn’t know until now, and this is actually very helpful for the loosely BO or BO a lot of stitches.  Are you ready?  Here we go:

1) when you try to bind off, instead of using a needle, use a crochet hook instead.  If you want to BO loosely, use a bigger hook. Now, knit with a crochet hook and the stitch goes on the right hook:

2) Knit another stitch and this second st also goes on the hook as you normally would in a BO process:

3) Now pass the first st over to the second st on teh crochet hook. Use the shape of the hook to help you. Normally on the needle you would be using your needle to help you, but here we use the hook, it’s like crocheting a chain.

4) We now have one st on the hook, one st actually got bind off!
Continue to knit with the crochet hook and repeat the bind off process. I find it a lot faster and easier and I hope you find the same! If you have never crochet before, or need any more clarification, feel free to discuss with me!

Here’s an updated picture of my tilted duster with the cascade 220 wool.

The picture doesn’t do a good justice because it’s not as bright as it looks. Now I am working on the skirt which is the last part, but I only have about a skein left. I am afraid it will be a short cardigan instead of a jacket. Oh well, I will be happy with this red cardigan for the x’mas!