Draft
Bind-OffsBind Offs for Garment Finishing
Interlock Bind Off
A bind off with interlocking stitches for a neat, stable edge.
8 min video
The interlock bind off is sewn with a tapestry needle rather than worked with the knitting needles. It is a great option for binding off in the round.
The edge is stretchy and elastic, but it does not lose its shape. Stretch it out and it comes back, so a cuff or a sock top stays neat. The loops interlock into a chain along the top edge.
You need a tail of yarn at least five times the circumference of the finished edge. Tighten each loop gently, because the slack is what gives the edge its stretch, and snug the loops up afterwards if they need it.
1 Anchor the yarn in the first stitch
Thread the yarn onto a tapestry needle. You need a tail at least five times the circumference of the finished edge. More yarn is better than not enough. Go through the first stitch of the round purlwise.
2 Close it through the last stitch
Go back through the last stitch of the round knitwise. That closes the loop around the top of the round. Pull some extra slack through.
3 Into the first stitch knitwise
Bring the working yarn to the front. Go through the first stitch knitwise and pull that stitch off the knitting needle.
4 Into the next stitch purlwise
Come through the next stitch purlwise and tighten it down, keeping a little extra slack so there is a loop to work with.
5 Come through the loop and close it
Put the tapestry needle through that loop, coming under it, and tighten gently to close the loop. Not too tight. The looseness is what gives the edge its stretch. Snug, not tight.
6 Then keep going
Insert knitwise, slip the stitch off, through the next stitch purlwise, tighten, then through the loop. Keep the working yarn in front. The loops interlock into a chain along the top edge. If it needs to be tighter, you can snug the loops up afterwards by pulling on them.
7 Work the last two stitches
When you are back at the beginning of the round, work the last two stitches as normal: slip the stitch off, go through the first stitch purlwise, and come back through the loop.
8 Join the end to the beginning
Go back into that stitch knitwise, then down through the loop you made at the start and back through to the back. Tighten it down and weave in the ends.