Cast On, Bind Off (68 page)

This is another great invention
from Jeny Staiman, creator of Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (
page 174
), who was looking for a stretchy, invisible bind off. This sewn bind off can be worked in stockinette or ribbing. The edge is indeed very elastic and snaps back into shape without ruffling. In addition, it blends into the fabric almost invisibly. When worked over stockinette stitch, it is an exact match for the Backward Loop Cast On, which makes it great for scarves, fingerless gloves, and other projects where you want matching edges.

Extras
Blunt tapestry needle

CHARACTERISTICS

• Very elastic

• Invisible edge

GOOD FOR

• Matching Backward Loop Cast On (
page 20
) when worked in stockinette

• Fingerless gloves

• Scarves

• Stretchy ribbing

Preparing to Bind Off

Cut a tail of yarn four to five times the length of the edge to be bound off. Thread the yarn on a blunt tapestry needle.

Note:
If working in the round, start with Setup (below). If working flat, go directly to Working the Bind Off (next page), in either stockinette or K1, P1 rib (
page 205
).

Setup for Working in the Round

• Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the left-hand needle purlwise and pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the needle.

• Insert the tapestry needle through the last stitch on the right-hand needle knitwise and pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the needle.

Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the left-hand needle knitwise and drop the first stitch off the knitting needle.

Take the tapestry needle through the second stitch purlwise.

Pull the yarn through, leaving a loop before the first stitch (the one just dropped).

Bring the tapestry needle through the loop, front to back, making sure the loop is not twisted.

Snug gently by pulling the tapestry needle horizontally to the right.