Draft
Bind-OffsBind Offs for Garment Finishing
One Over Two Bind Off
A bind off that passes one stitch over two to gather the edge in.
3 min videoGood for gathering an edge, flaring edges, pleated cuffs
The one over two bind off gathers your stitches in. Where a normal bind off passes one stitch over one, this one passes a stitch over two, so the edge pulls in as it goes.
Use it when an edge is flaring or coming out too big, on its own or together with another bind off, or when a pattern asks you to pull the fabric in. The finished edge is firm with very little stretch, and it has a small pleated look along the top.
That pleating can be a feature. It suits a sleeve cuff that blooms out below it, a doll skirt, or anywhere you want a bit of texture along the edge.
1 Work three stitches
Start by working three stitches in pattern onto the right needle.
2 Pass the first over two
Take the first of those three stitches and pass it over the other two and off the needle. That leaves two stitches on the right needle.
3 Knit one, pass the first over two
Knit the next stitch so you have three again, then pass the first stitch over the other two.
4 Then keep going
Knit one, pass the first over two, all the way across. It gets tight as you go, so pull out a little extra slack as you make the stitches.
5 Pass the first over the last
When you reach the end you have two stitches left. Pass the first one over the other.
6 Fasten off the last stitch
Cut the yarn, pull the tail through the last stitch and tighten it down.