You will see references in many knitting books to binding off and casting off. They basically mean the same thing, to finish off the live stitches on your needle so that they cannot run when worn or used in a garment or knitted item.

There are lots of different ways to cast off but this one is the one I use most. It does have its pitfalls, if you're using it to finish off a neckband you may need to use a knitting needle one or two sizes larger to work the cast off row because if it's worked tightly it will draw the stitches up too much and you won't be able to pull the neckband over the wearer's head.

Knit the first two stitches of the next row.

Put the point of the left hand needle into the first stitch that you knitted.

Lift this stitch over the stitch nearest to the point of the right hand needle.

Repeat this procedure right across the row of stitches on the left hand needle until you are left with a single stitch on the right hand needle.

Finally, break your yarn and pull out the last loop until the end of the yarn comes out through the last stitch you cast off.

This excellent reference book has masses of information about knitting techniques. It illustrates all the basic techniques and has a huge range of different ways to cast on and off and increase and decrease. A must for any knitter's bookcase!

This is another very good book which contains reference information on all the basics of how to knit and finish off a garment or item.