Stretchy Bind Off Throw Down // Technique Tuesday

[@TheSuzberry]

Once again, I’m learning something new: I was doing Jeny’s stitch wrong. You are a treasure and your videos are a treasury for all knitters.

[@Ami5Jo]

I was doing it wrong as well. I 100 agree with your comment.

[@juliaturney7017]

That’s an excellent suggestion to add in occasional “stretchy stitches” to get the right amount of stretch!

[@tephralynn]

Since I knit my socks toe-up and end with cuff ribbing, I generally do a combo of basic bind off on the knits and Jeny's surprisingly stretchy on the purls. I get enough stretch to get the edge over my heel and the purls disguise the double-headedness of JSSBO. I tend toward using whatever bind off looks nicest with the stitch pattern (in my opinion) which can mean I use a sewn bind off on small garter projects and Icelandic on larger ones, grafted on k1p1 patterns, and something pretty if the edge is going to be prominent.

[@sandrafoster2211]

Never took the time to look at many types of bind off because of why they were used. Thanks for my next step in learning.

[@MissHoyden]

I stayed away from sewn bind offs for a while. But then I experimented with swatches and had fun! Sometimes I’ll do toe up socks just because the sewn bind offs are so much fun.

[@xbaczewska4197]

For both look and functionality, I like The Sewn BindOff best.

[@candygrubisic]

I always love a good bind off showdown since I've done some and had them be "too stretchy" for the project at hand before.

[@feliciaweatherspoon2303]

Thank you for the demonstration!! I will try that technique, next time!!

[@louisalowry6229]

I recently used the half-hitch bind off for the first time and it was so useful.

[@deniseengel1451]

Thanks Rox. Great comparisons.

[@Sequoya]

Great episode!

[@aroundtheworldfibers]

I do love the sewn bind off, however I recently had the unenviable experience of undoing a sewn bind off on a very long sweater hem. It took me 5 days to undo the hem. I made the mistake of doing the set up rows on needles that were 2 sizes smaller than the rest of the sweater. I already knit with tight tension. Unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention when knitting or sewing the bind off, and it was too late by the time I realized my tension was far too tight. I decided I'll just keep going and undo the hem after I finish the sleeves. I guarantee, it's a mistake I will never make again. Ever. 😳

[@ginnaricci-o9j]

Hi ! Would you please recommend me a good book with all the different types of heels for socks. Thank you very much you are a great theacher. God bless you 🌞🌠🌎

[@BTNomad]

Hi. I’m sorry, I don’t know how else to ask you a question not related to this current video. Do you have any videos that show how to knit a hidden vertical side pocket on a cardigan while knitting in the round? I don’t want a pocket on the top of the material, I want it tucked away into the material, like a jacket pocket. You’re my go to for knitting, but I’m not finding anything. Thank you for all your fantastic videos!

[@meganmills6545]

You could work back and forth for the height of the pocket opening, connecting to knit in the round again afterwards. That would make a vertical slit around which you could pick up stiches to work the pocket that goes to the inside. An alternative, if you want to keep going in the round, would be to cast on a couple of "steek" stitches where you want the pocket opening and carry the steek up for the height of the pocket opening, decreasing the extra stitches away again when you're done. Then you would cut the steek only and, like the flat-knitting method, pick up stitches around the opening to knit the pocket fabric. Essentially, with both methods, you are making a tall 'vertical buttonhole'. I haven't tried it, or seen it anywhere, but something in the back of my brain is whispering that 'double knitting' could well be a handy technique to play with as well to see if it could do the job. To try any of these ideas I'd recommend testing the ideas out on a sample swatch and then deciding what you like you best for your cardigan. Edited to add - if you wanted a horizontal pocket opening then the 'afterthought thumb' method used for mittens would be my first thing to test out. :-)

[@melconway8981]

I love the sewn bind offs but agree that long lengths can be daunting!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I have a few ideas, including one not mentioned already, but the best way to ask a question like this is in my Ravelry group. There's always a link to the group in the description of every one of my videos. By posting there, others can learn from the question and answers, as well as to offer their ideas.

[@BTNomad]

​@meganmills6545 , thanks! I've thought about doing it both with the knitting back and forth, and with steeking. The double knit idea is new to me. I'll have to look into that. I'm just really surprised that it seems no one has created a video of adding pockets like these in the round.

[@BTNomad]

​@@melconway8981, I'm not sure what you mean by sewn bind-offs. 🤔

[@lauraalicewatt]

thanks for these comparisons! i've been told that the Icelandic bind-off can be a good option for a bit more stretch than the standard, have you tried that one to compare? (i might make some swatches myself now, inspired by this!)

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I've tried it, but I haven't compared it. Definitely try it on some swatches.

[@katebowers8107]

🎉

[@tamelaschandel1528]

In my head I say, knit stitch clockwise, purl stitch counter clockwise. All the while I am doing it.

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Lots of swatching to do now ...