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Work a Simple Stretchy Bind Off on Your Next Project

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Learn how to bind off in a way that's stretchy and not too tight!
I have been knitting for a long time, but I still sometimes have problems with binding off too tightly. I think it’s because I’m in a rush to finish, so I don’t take the time to do it perfectly. But then my project doesn’t look as good as it could because that edge isn’t as nice as it could be.

One easy way to bind off more loosely is to use this bind off technique where you work the stitches together through the back loop.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3SrXmiUDjU&w=560&h=315]

This works to make the bind off less tight because you aren’t pulling one stitch over the other like you usually do in a standard bind off, which is the part of the bind off where your stitches can get tight.

This method is super easy to learn and just as fast, if not faster, than the standard bind off method. It looks great and has a good amount of stretch for shawls, the cuffs of socks, or anything else. I especially like using this method when I have a really long bind off, like the edge of a blanket, because it ensures the tension will be even throughout the bind off.

Do you use this technique? If not I hope you’ll give it a try!

Read more: Three-needle bind off | Knit cast on | Ridged Ribbon Eyelet dishcloth

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Comments

  2. Thanks for sharing that. I was recently looking for a good way to do this. I learned after binding off a sock I can barely get over my heel.

  3. It was a little hard to see what you were doing in the video, but it looks like you were knitting two together through the back loop. I first learned this technique when I did a shawl pattern years ago, and have used it ever since for things that need a stretchy edge. It is a very useful thing to know.

Have you read?

Stitch Some Seagulls on Your Sweater

It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born. 

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]