Stretchy cast-offs
Try a new skill! Faye Perrium-Reed and our handy step by steps make stretchy cast offs super easy
Discover the best way to cast o when working sock tops and necklines
The two cast-o methods I am exploring today are ones that I use often in my own knitting, usually for toe-up socks. They are used fairly regularly by our designers for certain patterns in Simply Knitting, yet aren’t necessarily techniques that everyone remembers how to do! Both techniques appear frequently, so it’s a good opportunity for a quick recap.
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind O is worked on two needles in a similar way to a regular cast-o , but with added yarn-overs before each stitch. The second method, Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Sewn Bind O , is worked into the stitches using a tapestry needle. Both produce very neat results, the latter making a great replica of the cast-on edge if you’re looking for this sort of finish. Here’s a little more information…
now 2 stitches on the needle. Pass the purl stitch over the knit stitch. Repeat from ** until all sts are cast o .
Casting o 1x1 rib
If you are working 1x1 rib, the process is a little simpler: Work a reverse yarnover (up the back, over the front and under), K1, then lift the yo over this stitch. Work a regular yarnover (up the front, over the back and under), P1, then lift the yo over this stitch (2 sts now on the needle). Lift the knit st over the purl stitch. **Work a reverse yarnover, K1, lift the yo over this stitch (2 sts now on the needle).
Lift the purl stitch over the knit stitch. Work a regular yarnover, P1, lift the yo over this stitch, lift the knit stitch over the purl stitch. Rep from ** until all the sts are cast o .
Elizabeth zimmermann’s sewn bind off This cast-o method is worked the same whichever stitch pattern it is worked over, and there are just a couple of simple steps. Cut the yarn so it’s at least four times the length of the piece you wish to finish, and thread the end through a tapestry needle.
Insert the tapestry needle purlwise into the first two stitches and pull through.
Insert the tapestry needle knitwise into the first stitch on the needle and pull through, knocking this stitch o the needle. Repeat these two steps until all the stitches have been cast o .
The cast-on and cast-o edges look remarkably similar when the cast-o is complete!