Tutorial: Easy Icelandic Bind-Off for a Stretchy Edge

Used in Iceland since at least the nineteenth century, this stretchy bind-off pairs perfectly with garter knits or anywhere you want a ridged, stretchy edge that doesn’t flare much. Use two colors for contrast or the same color as the previous row.

Video: See it in action.

Once you get comfortable with the movements, this bind-off can be quick and comfortable to work. If you'd like to see a slower version of the instructions, find the step instructions below with images. If you are still having trouble with tension, a less-than-stretchy bind-off, or getting stuck when raveling this edge, head to the Troubleshooting section below!
— Kate

Step-by-Step Instructions

Set-up: K1.
[PAYWALL] Step 1: Transfer st from right needle to left needle.

Click to enlarge.

Step 2: Insert right needle pwise into first st on left needle, then kwise into front loop of second st, pulling second st through first st but leaving both sts on left needle, forming a cross.

Step 3: Wrap yarn around right needle and knit second st, then drop both sts from left.

Repeat Steps 1–3 until all stitches have been worked. When one st remains, cut yarn and pull through st to secure.

So stretchy!

Troubleshooting

• I’ve always found this technique to create a bind-off edge that is as stretchy as the body of the knitting, but I occasionally hear from knitters that struggle with stretchiness. To fix, loosen your tension on the working yarn (pink in this tutorial). After knitting a few inches, stretch the bind-off edge as you see me do at the end of this video. That will help settle the stitches into place so you can determine if the tension is a good fit for the project you are making.

• If you are having trouble getting the left needle tip inserted into the left-hand needle stitches or when trying to pull the new loop through, unknit the last row before the bind off and rework more loosely. Then, see the tension tip above, and try again. Looser stitches are easier to work!

• The biggest drawback to this cast-on method is that it isn’t as easy to unknit as a standard bind off if you need to go back and fix a mistake. If you are struggling, cast on a small swatch, try the Icelandic Bind-Off with a contrasting color as shown here. Begin to ravel the bind off, and you will quickly see how the loops wrap and how you need to lift the stitches worked during the bind-off row over the previous row to ravel.

Resources

To learn more about the history of this technique and the traditional sweaters and shawls so well suited to it, visit the icelandicknitter.com.

The natural fiber yarns used here are Scholar (gray) from Acorn and Oak, and BayBlend DK (Hot Shot) from North Bay Fibers.