Stretchy Bind-Offs

I often do a regular cast off (in pattern) but use a bigger needle as I do so.

You might like to try this:

This isn't anything flash or fancy . . . . . . but I just work three times in normal cast off for every two stitches.

So for a K1 P1 rib I cast off by K1 in the loop below the stitch, K1, pass 1st stitch over, P1, pass stitch over, K1 in the loop below the stitch, pass stitch over, K1, pass stitch over, P1, pass stitch over, etc. This doesn't require changing needle size and it is quick and easy, and gives just enough stretch for my socks without too much of a lettuce leaf edge. Like I said - not fancy but it works for me.

Have you considered knitting some ribbing elastic into the last row and cast off (the very fine sort used by machine knitters) or is that "heresy"? lol

I also knit toe-up socks because I can never get the grafting of the toes right. I tried all the sewn top finishes but I always seem to get things twisted about half way through. (sigh)

The one I use for stretchy is the following.

Knit 1, knit another, slip the first one over the second one, knit the next stitch in line, pass the previous one over the newly knit stitch...

Finish to the end, and on the last stitch after slip previous stich over it, pull yarn through like a slip knot, then you can do a small graft of one stitch to close the circle.

I've used this on all my toe up booties to date and hasn't been too tight yet.

Just my two cents.

Jenn > I'm knitting toe-up socks and looking for stretchy bind-offs for the

Bind off `normal` but use a bigger sized needle ,, at least 2 sizes bigger . mirjam

Thanks very much, VP. I don't understand the half-hitch M1 in the instructions below however.

Alison

K1, M1 ("make one" by making a half-hitch loop, not by picking up the in-between thread), pull the M1 tight, P1.

Alison

I use Grumperina's bind-off (I can't remember if I do it on a bigger needle or not so that is something else to try):

Work 2 sts in pattern (either knit or purl). Move yarn to back (if the last worked st was a knit, this is already the case). * Transfer the 2 worked sts to the LH needle, and k2togTBL. Work 1 st in pattern (move yarn to back if it was a purl), * repeat between *.

It is from her blog post here:

On May 16, 12:46 am, Alison wrote: Thanks very much, VP. I don't understand the half-hitch M1 in the

That's also known as the backwards loop cast on.

sue