For necklines and front/button bands, I use a standard bind-off in pattern, meaning, if I am working a 1 x 1 Ribbing, I bind off in the same rib with the working needle or one size larger (to avoid making the rib too tight). But I have found I want a stretchier bind-off for the bottom edges of sweaters and sleeves. For these I use Jeny’s Stretchy Bind-Off but with a needle approximately half the size of my working needle. This gives me the stretch and memory I like but with a neater-looking edge. Give this a try in one of our Cocoknits patterns, which use this.
How to Work Jeny's Stretchy Bind-off
Set-up
1
Step 1
Knit or purl the first stitch as called for. Then work as follows:
Before a Knit Stitch
1
Step 1
Yarn over backward (bring yarn from back to front over right needle), then knit 1.
2
Step 2
On your right needle, pull stitches 2 and 3 over stitch 1; one stitch bound off, one stitch on right needle.
3
Repeat
Repeats Steps 1 and 2 as established until all stitches are bound off.
Before a Purl Stitch
1
Step 1
Yarn over normally (bring yarn from front to back over right needle, then to front again), then purl 1.
2
Step 2
On your right needle, pull stitches 2 and 3 over stitch 1; one stitch bound off, one stitch on right needle.
3
Repeat
Repeat Steps 1 and 2 as established until all stitches are bound off.
Comments
Hi Elizabeth, Yes, Jeny’s Stretchy BO works well in this situation. On p. 11, Julie suggests using US 4-5 / 3.5-3.75 mm needles for the bind-off. See how you like the look of it with one of those and modify if you prefer it tighter or looser. Enjoy!
I am finishing the Mabel sweater with a 2×2 rib split hem. The needle size is 11. In her tutorial, Julie suggests going down to a much smaller needle. Is that true for a split hem as well? What would be a suggested needle size in this case? Thank you!
Hi Mary, Julie finds it uses 6.25 times the width of the piece you are binding off. Enjoy!
Any idea how much yarn is needed for this? 4 times the article on the needles is suggested in another article but doesn’t state which bind off is used….
Hi Peggy, Julie’s patterns don’t have a lot of places where the CO and BO need to match, but have you tried the Crochet Cast-On? There are lots of tutorials available on the web and it would look similar.
I wish i could find a stretchy cast on method that matches this stretchy bind off… It’s got the finish i want, but the two ends of what I’m knitting don’t look the same. (I use a jenny stretch cast on method already.) Have you find a cast on that results with a similar edge as this bind off?
Hi Heather, It is fine to slip them one at a time—just be sure to slip the yarn over first. Enjoy!
Hi! Is anyone else finding slipping both stitches at once (sts 2 and 3) over stitch 1 to be really tough with smaller gauge yarns? I’m using this tutorial to bind off with heavy fingering/light DK, (piece knit on 3’s, binding off with a size 1 needle as per instructions), and while the bind off is beautiful, neat and very stretchy, getting both of those sts on the needle tip at the same time to pass them over is driving me insane. Any reason to not pass them over one at a time?
Hi Deegie,
Thank you for your suggestion. We have a long list of videos that have been requested and we are working our way through them. Did you notice that in the still shots with the step-by-step written instructions that Julie is throwing the yarn? You may find that reading through and following her instructions (or listening to the video) will allow you to perform the actions as you throw. And since Julie didn’t originate this technique, you should be able to find other videos on YouTube to help you. Best of luck!
I found this bind-off a number of years ago, but I’m sure you used both knitting techniques. It was/is a superior bind-off. Unfortunately, in the number of moves I’ve made over those years, the instructions are somewhere in a box and totally inaccessible.
As a knitter that “throws” the yarn from my right hand, it is very confusing to understand what you are doing while throwing from the left.
In future, could you please show both techniques?
I think there might be one or two others who would appreciate this also
Thank you so very much for your consideration.
It is simply magnificent idea
Hi Maxi,
Julie recommends approximately half the size of the needle you are using, so try a size 1 and see if that gives you a stretchy bind-off without flaring. If it flares, try a size 0 or even smaller. Enjoy your sweater!
Hi there! I am wondering about the gauge size of the needles used for this bind off technique. Usually I go 2-3 sizes up for binding off. This technique is asking for smaller needles, correct? I have the body of my sweater on US 3. Which size do you recommend I use for binding off this way? Thank you!
Thank you so much for the pictures and written instructions for Jenny’s stretchy bind off. Easier for me to follow than a video. It worked well for the neck of a baby sweater.
Hi Sandy, Yes, if Julie’s pattern tells you to bind off purlwise, that is what you do. On the Franca sweater for example, she has you do this on the stockinette fabric as you mention in your question. If you have specific questions about a pattern, please email us at knit@cocoknits.com. Enjoy your project!
At bottom of sleeves using Magic Loop so ending with Knit sts But patterns says to bind off Purlwise?
PURLWISE on the Knit sts.?
Thank you for posting these samples. They are very flexible bind offs and very easy.
So happy I found this method. It is perfect for my socks. Process is much easier than sew off method. Thank you.
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