You’ve come to the end of your knitting project and it's time to bind off. When you’re making items like hats, shawls, socks and sweaters, a slightly stretchy finished edge may be desired - but you also want to avoid having a bind off that’s too loose and floppy. Today we’ll explore 4 super stretchy bind offs that will give you the perfect edging to finish your next project!
Note: In all of the below examples we use our brand-new SmartStix needles and two contrasting colors of yarn so that you can see the technique more clearly.
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off is a technique named for Jeny Staiman and immortalized (with great visuals!) in this Knitty article. This bind off combines the standard bind off with an extra yarn over which adds a bit of extra elasticity. The steps are simple.
For knit stitches:
Step 1: Yarnover in reverse (wind your yarn over the needle in the opposite direction that you usually do).
Step 2: Knit 1 stitch.
Step 3: Insert left needle into yarnover stitch and pull it over the stitch you just knit.
Step 4: Yarnover in reverse.
Step 5: Knit 1 stitch.
Step 6: Insert left needle into yarnover stitch AND previous stitch and pull both over the stitch you just knit.
Repeat Steps 4-6 until you have completed binding off all stitches.
For purl stitches:
Repeat the processes above EXCEPT yarnover in the regular direction and purl the working stitches as appropriate.
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Icelandic Bind Off
The Icelandic Bind Off is a super stretchy bind off that is particularly suited for garter stitch. Not only is it fast, easy and stretchy, but it mimics the bumps in the garter stitch so it matches the garter stitch. Beware that this will make your edges roll if you’re knitting in stockinette, so you may want to pick another one of the other stretchy bindoffs we’ve discuss here if that’s what you’re knitting.
To complete the Icelandic Bind Off:
Step 1: Knit 1 stitch.
Step 2: Transfer stitch from right needle back to left needle.
Step 3: Reach right needle through the first stitch as if to purl, and knit the next stitch, pulling the loop through both stitches.
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have completed binding off all stitches.
For additional visuals on the Icelandic Bind Off, Very Pink Knits has a wonderful tutorial video here.
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Elastic Bind Off
The Elastic Bind Off is a gorgeously stretchy bind off for lacy shawls, sock cuffs, necklines and sleeve cuffs. In this bind off you’ll be working a stitch, and then knitting it together with the previous stitch to create an extra elastic edge.
To work the Elastic Bindoff:
Step 1: Knit the first 2 stitches as normal.
Step 2: Knit the 2 stitches together through the back loop. (Insert left hand needle through the front of the two stitches, wrap yarn around and pull through.)
Step 3: Knit the next stitch as normal.
Step 4: Repeat Step 2.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you have completed binding off all stitches.
For additional visuals, check out this Simple Stretchy Bind Off tutorial from Very Pink Knits, which also includes how to work the Elastic Bindoff in ribbing!
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Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Sewn Bind Off
The sewn bind off was immortalized by Elizabeth Zimmerman, who was looking for a stretchier alternative to the traditional bind off. The advantage of the sewn bind off is that it makes a nicely matched edge to the edge created by the long tail cast on, so your project will look neatly matched. Unlike the other bind offs, this one is worked with a tapestry needle and more sewn than cast off with needles. This bind off is also worked from left to right, the opposite of your knitting.
To work the Sewn Bind Off:
Step 1: First cut a long tail, 3-4 times the length of the section you’re binding off. Thread your tapestry needle with this end.
Step 2: Insert the needle into the first 2 stitches on the knitting needle as if to purl and draw the yarn through.
Step 3: Reinsert the needle into the first stitch on the knitting needle as if to knit, draw the yarn through and slip the stitch off.
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until you have completed binding off all stitches.
For additional visuals, check out the Sewn Bind Off Tutorial from Very Pink Knits.
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We hope you've learned a few new techniques to add super stretchy edges to your projects!
August Blog Winners
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