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
Thank you.
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.
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.