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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.

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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

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?

Knits for the Table for Thanksgiving and Beyond

As we get into the part of the year with a lot of food-forward holidays, it might be time to start thinking about knitting some new things for your table. While a few of these are more fall/Thanksgiving focused, just changing up the colors would make others work for Christmas, or keep it neutral and use them all year long. 

What got me started thinking about this was the lovely and simple Fresh Bread Dishtowel, a free pattern from Purl Soho. Worked in a lovely cotton and linen blend, the towel is mostly stockinette stitch with a bit of texture on the borders. 

You could use this same kind of pattern to make anything from placemats to a table runner, but let’s look at some specific patterns for those kinds of projects as well. 

The easy moss stitch table runner from Glass Bird Knits is beginner friendly can can easily be modified to fit your table (or, again, to make placemats instead of or in addition to a runner). This version is worked in macrame cord, but you could also use bulky yarn. 

Emielle Design has a garter stitch runner pattern that’s made with braided cotton cord for a lot of texture without a lot of work. But be sure to take a lot of breaks when knitting with cord because it can be rough on your hands!

I also love the diamond pattern on the Hamilton Table Runner from Wyndlestraw Designs. It calls for a DK weight cotton and linen blend yarn and comes in three sizes with different widths and lengths. The pattern has both written and charted instructions. 

Amy Marie’s Table Pumpkins (on Ravelry) is a fun mosaic knitting pattern that would be great to use as a table runner through the fall and for Thanksgiving. It uses a worsted weight cotton yarn in two colors, and you can make it as long as you like for your table. 

The no cable knit placemats from Yarn Culture Studio have a fun faux cable look that would be great for the table through the fall and winter. 

Or here’s another pattern from Wyndlestraw Designs, this time for an easy knit and purl stitch placemat pattern that looks different but still good on both sides. It calls for worsted weight cotton and comes in two sizes for placemats, but also has instructions for coasters, a hot pad and a table pad all using the same stitch.