Sewn Bind Off

Sewn Bind Off in the Round

The Sewn Bind Off is my favorite bind off for collars, the tops of socks or fingerless mitts, or anything that needs a bit of extra stretch without losing structure. This bind off looks particularly nice with 1x1 ribbing. I recommend this technique in the Sock Arms patterns. You will need a tapestry needle for this technique.

1. WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR WORK, AND ARE READY TO BIND OFF, CUT A LENGTH OF YARN APPROXIMATELY 3-4 TIMES THE LENGTH OF THE EDGE THAT YOU PLAN TO BIND OFF. THIS LENGTH OF YARN WILL STILL BE ATTACHED TO YOUR KNITTING. THREAD YOUR TAPESTRY NEEDLE.

2. SLIDE YOUR TAPESTRY NEEDLE THROUGH THE FIRST 2 STS ON YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE PURLWISE WITHOUT REMOVING THE STS FROM YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE.

3. PULL YOUR YARN GENTLY THROUGH THESE STITCHES. IF YOU PULL THE YARN TIGHT, IT WILL MAKE YOUR EDGE TIGHT.

4. SLIDE YOUR TAPESTRY NEEDLE THROUGH THE FIRST STITCH ON YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE KNITWISE.

5. PULL YOUR YARN GENTLY THROUGH THIS STITCH AND REMOVE IT FROM YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE.

6. REPEAT STEPS 2-5 UNTIL YOU HAVE ONE STITCH REMAINING ON YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE.

7. SLIDE YOUR TAPESTRY NEEDLE THROUGH THE FIRST STITCH ON YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE KNITWISE.

8. PULL YOUR YARN GENTLY THROUGH THIS STITCH AND REMOVE IT FROM YOUR KNITTING NEEDLE.

9. INSERT YOUR TAPESTRY NEEDLE UNDER THE 2 LEGS OF YOUR FIRST BOUND OFF STITCH IN THE ROUND.

10. INSERT THE TAPESTRY NEEDLE UNDER THE LEG OF THE FINAL BOUND OFF STITCH.

THIS WILL CREATE A LOOP THAT IMITATES THE BOUND OFF STITCHES ALONG THE BOUND OFF EDGE OF YOUR WORK.

11. PULL THE LOOP UNTIL ITS TENSION MATCHES THE TENSION OF THE OTHER STITCHES IN THE BOUND OFF EDGE.

12. BREAK YARN, LEAVING A 6-INCH/15 CM TAIL. WEAVE IN THE END.

TA DA! YOU HAVE JUST CREATED A FIRM, STRETCHY EDGE!