How to cast off stitches loosely?

Sometimes in a pattern, we are asked to cast off stitches loosely.

For example, to cast off stitches on a ribbed edge of socks starting at the toe (for this, you also have Lori's brilliant method), to cast off stitches to finish a shawl or on the ribbing of a hat.

Here are three ways that can help.

1. Bind off stitches with knit stitches together

This method is very easy and quick, but it's not my favorite method because it's not the most flexible I know. It's still useful when you're looking for a soft but not too soft shear.

Let's see this method step by step.

• Knit two stitches together.

• Place the resulting stitch back on the left needle and knit it.

• Knit two stitches together again.

2. Suspended Bind-Off

This cast-off is my favorite when it comes to loosely casting off stitches on the edge of a garter stitch shawl.

To cast off stitches this way, let's see how to do it:

• At the beginning of the cast-off, knit two stitches, then knit only the next one.

• When knitting the second stitch, do not drop the strand that is on the left needle.

• Pass the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch

• You have just cast off your first stitch. Do the same to cast off the rest of the stitches.

3. Binding using the “Jeny's Surprisingly Strechy Bind-Off” method

Here's the final bind-off in this article. This one is the loosest of the three and will give you a very stretchy result. This was my favorite bind-off for finishing sock ribbing before I discovered Lori's Bind-Off.

• Knit the first stitch (this only applies to the very first stitch of the cast-off)
• Yarn over your right needle

• Knit the next stitch

• Yarn over the stitch you just knitted

• Then pass the first stitch on your right needle over the second.

• You have just cast off your first stitch. Do the same to cast off the rest of the stitches.

If you want to learn more or review these methods, take a look at this video:

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See you soon,

Christelle