Not all stretchy bind-offs work well for ribbing. Here’s an easy one that adapts well to any kind of knit/purl edging on your needles.
Not all stretchy bind-offs work well for ribbing. Here’s an easy one that adapts well to any kind of knit/purl edging on your needles. <a href="https://farmfiberknits.com/tutorial-simple-stretchy-bind-off-for-any-rib/">Continue reading.</a>
Knitting woe: You excitedly bind off the last row of your new mitts, try them on, and discover that the top edge is too tight. Knitters have many great options for stretchy bind-offs, but not all work well with ribbing. The stretchy method I’ll show you here can adapt to any rib: 1x1, 2x2, 3x1, whatever you’ve got!
This method is often described as a variation on the lace bind-off. I find it to be a little stretchier, and a good fit for sleeve cuffs, scarf and shawl edges, button bands, sock cuffs, and more.
Video: See It in Action
Step-by-Step Instructions
With this method, you will work the knits and purls differently, staying in pattern. That is what makes this method adaptable to any ribbing sequence or knit/purl motif. I’ll demo using basic 2x2 rib.
Step 1 For 2x2 rib, knit the first two stitches.
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
Unlock the Full Article with a Farm & Fiber Knits Subscription
Get instant access to this article and the entire Farm & Fiber Knits library of projects, inspiration, and expert instruction. With your subscription, you'll receive:
Connect more deeply with your yarn—learn the stories of farmers, shepherds, and dyers
Knit patterns that celebrate natural fibers and slow, intentional making
Support a community of small farms, women makers, and independent yarn companies
Includes print and digital issues of Farm & Fiber Knits, delivered directly to you
With must-knit projects and unforgettable stories, Farm & Fiber Knits invites you to see the craft world through fresh eyes.
Plans start at just $5.83/month (paid annually). Cancel anytime.
Knitting woe: You excitedly bind off the last row of your new mitts, try them on, and discover that the top edge is too tight. Knitters have many great options for stretchy bind-offs, but not all work well with ribbing. The stretchy method I’ll show you here can adapt to any rib: 1x1, 2x2, 3x1, whatever you’ve got!
This method is often described as a variation on the lace bind-off. I find it to be a little stretchier, and a good fit for sleeve cuffs, scarf and shawl edges, button bands, sock cuffs, and more.
Video: See It in Action
Step-by-Step Instructions
With this method, you will work the knits and purls differently, staying in pattern. That is what makes this method adaptable to any ribbing sequence or knit/purl motif. I’ll demo using basic 2x2 rib.
Step 1 For 2x2 rib, knit the first two stitches.
[PAYWALL]
Step 2 Insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together.
Step 3 For this pattern, the next stitch is purl; purl the stitch.
Step 4 Insert the needle into the back of these two stitches and purl them together.
Now, you are back to just one stitch again. You will continue working across the row or round in this way, working either a purl or knit stitch in pattern. Here's an easy way to remember:
If you knitted the new stitch: The yarn is in the back and you will insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together.
If you purled the new stitch: The yarn is in the front and you will insert the needle into the back of these two stitches and purl them together.
The stretchiness and ability to snap back to it's shape is pretty good for such an easy bind-off method!
Troubleshooting
The biggest challenge when using this bind-off is that the edge—in all its stretchy glory—flares a bit. For the top of a sock cuff, this isn’t a problem because the cuff is stretched when worn. For a neck edge that needs to be stretchy when pulled over your head but needs to lay neatly when worn, you can fine tune this bind-off by adjusting your needle size. I frequently go down a needle size or two to keep this edge neat.
The Amplitude pullover by Julia Farwell-Clay. Photo by Gale Zucker
Kate Larson (she/her) is Senior Editor of Farm & Fiber Knits. For nearly as long as Kate has been handspinning and knitting, she has been helping others find their paths as makers and forge deeper connections with the landscapes that produce the wool and cotton, flax, and silk that they hold in their hands. While Kate has published a book, many articles and patterns, and several instructional videos, she especially loves celebrating the work of other fiber folks. The editor of Spin Off from 2018–2025, she directs spinning events in addition to editing Farm & Fiber Knits. If you can’t find Kate, she’s most likely in the barn having a chat with her beloved Border Leicester sheep.
The Amplitude pullover by Julia Farwell-Clay. Photo by Gale Zucker