Stretchy Neckline Bind Off in Two Rows
If you cast on with the Old Norwegian method, you want the neckline to finish the same way. This two-row bind off gives a soft, stretchy, comfy edge.
Most of the time I cast on with the Old Norwegian method: it's stretchy and it gives a lovely edge. So at the neckline I want the bind off to look and stretch the same way. This method closes the stitches much the way the cast on makes them, and it's comfortable to pull over the head. It takes just two rows.
Before you start
The neckline border is 1x1 rib (knit one, purl one). I use an odd number of stitches on the neck, so the first and last stitches are both knit stitches. If your last stitch is a purl, just keep it as a purl.
The two rows
- Row 1 (RS):right side
Slip the first knit stitch without knitting, with the yarn in front. Purl the purl stitch. *Slip the knit stitch (yarn stays in front), purl the purl stitch.* Repeat across. Knit the last knit stitch.
- Row 2 (WS):wrong side
Slip the first stitch without knitting. Now bind off as you go: knit the stitches that look like knits and purl the stitches that look like purls, passing each previous stitch over as normal. Continue to the end.
Fasten off the last stitch and weave in the tail. The finished neckline is neat, soft and flexible, just like the cast-on edge at the hem and cuffs.
- bind off
- stretchy bind off
- neckline
- 1x1 rib
- Old Norwegian cast on
- knitting technique
- sweater finishing
- hand knitting
