Sometimes in a pattern, we are asked to bind-off stitches loosely.
For example, to bind-off stitches on a cuff for socks starting from the toe (for this you also have Lori’s Twisty Bind Off ingenious method), to bind-off stitches on a shawl or on the hem of a hat.
Here are three ways that will help you.
1. K2tog Bind-Off method
This method is very easy and fast, it is not however the method I prefer because it is not the most flexible I know. It is still useful when you are looking for a loose but not too loose bind-off.
Let’s see this method step by step.
- Knit two stitches together
- Place the obtained stitches on your left needle and knit it
- You’ve just completed your first stitch. Proceed in the same way to increase the desired number of stitches.
2. Suspended Bind-Off
This bind-off is my favorite one for binding-off stitches on a shawl’s garter sttich edge.
To bind-off stitches this way, let’s see how to proceed :
- At the beginning, knit two stitches, afterwards, you will only knit the next one.
- When knitting the second stitch, do not drop the stitch on the left needle.
- Pass the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch.
- You’ve just completed your first stitch bind-off. Proceed in the same way to BO all the remaining stitches.
3. Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off
Here is the last bind-off of this article. This one is the loosest of the three ones and will give you a very elastic result. It was my favorite one for binding off cuffs before discovering Lori’s Bind-Off.
- Knit the first stitch (this only applies to the very first stitch).
- Make a yarn over on your right needle
- Knit the next stitch
- Pass the yarn over over the second stitch
- Pass the first stitch over the second one
- You’ve just completed your first stitch bind-off. Proceed in the same way to BO all the remaining stitches.
You now know the way to bind-off loosely in three different ways.
If you want to know more or review these methods, take a look at this video :
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See you soon,
Christelle
