Decrease (knitting)

The order of stitches is important, both for appearance and for the way it pulls the fabric.

The uppermost stitch is most important; there is not much visual difference between 213 and 231.

Binding off is effectively a series of adjacent decreases.

This makes a tight edge, in contrast to other binding off methods that have a tendency to flare out.

This method also does not require that the knitting yarn be nearby, so it can be done at any time or position, e.g., to form button holes.