Learn to Knit: 3 Easy Stretchy Bind-offs

Do you struggle with tight bind offs? Whether you’re knitting a toe-up sock, a top-down sweater, or a lacy shawl, a bind off that’s too tight can really get in the way of enjoying your finished project! Here are 3 easy methods to work a stretchy bind-off without sewing.

Tip: If you tend to knit tightly, you may also want to go up a needle size to bind off.

This purl-based bind-off is often worked from the wrong side, although it can also be used on the right side for a decorative ridge.

Repeat these 2 steps until only 1 stitch remains.

This bind-off is similar to the p2tog bind-off above, but worked knitwise through the back loops. Working an extra stitch between the decreases provides even more elasticity.

Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have 2 stitches left, then work step 2 once more.

Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy bind-off, originally published in Knitty combines the traditional bind off with yarn overs for extra elasticity, without requiring a super long tail or sewing. Knit and purl stitches are treated slightly differently while working this bind-off.

Step 3: Knit or purl the next stitch.

Step 4: Using the left needle tip, catch the yarn over and previous stitch and pull them over the last stitch on the right needle.

Repeat steps 2-4 until all sts have been worked.

jeny's suprisingly stretchy bind off from Ysolda Teague on Vimeo.

This method works really well as a bind-off for ribbing, and is perfect for ribbed edges that you want to be really stretchy. It's a great choice if you're binding off a toe-up sock cuff, or as a bind-off for the neckband of a toddler sweater – you won't have to worry about getting it over their big head! 

Follow the directions above, knitting the knits and purling the purls, and basing the yarn over direction on whether the next stitch is a knit or purl.

The result is a decorative edge with a slightly knotted appearance with great stretch and recovery. 

When you’ve finished binding off, cut the yarn. Instead of threading it through the last stitch, pull the loop of the stitch until the end pops out. That way you won't get a little "ear" that sticks out at the end of the bind-off.

The p2tog and k2togtbl bind-offs have the closest appearance to a traditional bind-off, while Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy bind-off results in a more decorative, rounded edge. 

Both have great stretch, and depending on your tension and the yarn used Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy bind-off tends to be slightly stretchier.

Which you use is personal preference and may depend on your project or yarn. If you're not sure you can always try binding off a few stitches using each method on a swatch to compare.

For the ultimate seamless, elastic edge for your ribbed sweater edges, sock cuffs and top-down hats, try a Tubular bind off! A tubular bind off requires more forethought than the ones we covered today, but it’s worth it for the excellent result.

This sewn bind-off method essentially involves grafting the knit stitches to the purls. Learn how to work it with our step-by-step sewn tubular bind-off tutorial.