I've been in a bit of a knitting rut lately and didn't realize it until I knit SpliTTop by La Maison Rililie. I've been knitting for over 20 years and I usually use the standard, traditional bind off method for all of my projects unless otherwise directed by the pattern I'm working on. However, La Maison Rililie used a 3 stitch I-cord bind off in the SpliTTop design that was just gorgeous, reminding me that doing something one way just because that's the way I've always done it wasn't really the best approach. This realization got me to dust off some other rarely used bind off methods and try to learn a new one as well. I looked through my usual knitting resources, and some unusual ones too, and discovered Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy bind off created by Jeny Staiman. This new bind off and others listed below left me wondering why I would use the same old traditional bind off method again. I'm sure there are plenty of other alternative bind off methods that I can try instead of the traditional method, and I'm looking forward to trying them all!

Sloped Edge Bind Off

This method is great for shoulders, necklines, and armhole shaping. The Migration Cardigan by Stacey Gerbman utilizes this bind off method for the shoulders and armholes of the garment. The yarn store that I work at, Wool and Grace is having a Migration KAL right now. If you live locally please stop by and join in our KAL, if not join in virtually! I love seeing all of the different yarns and colors people are using to make this gorgeous sweater.

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy bind off created by Jeny Staiman is just as it promises, very stretchy. This method is also referred to as the "Knit Yarnover Chained Cast Off" in The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. This method is very simple to execute. Rather than knitting two stitches then passing the first stitch over the second stitch; you knit the first stitch then yarn over then knit one more stitch then pass the yarn over and first stitch knit over the third stitch. For the remainder of the bind off, you yarnover and knit a stitch then pass both the yarnover and the stitch left behind from the previous bind off group over the knit stitch. This bind off is so stretchy that I have unraveled three previously knit garments and re-bound them off utilizing this method. If I made you a sweater in the past don't be surprised if I ask for it back to re-bind off your sweater, or if you find me in your closet with said sweater and needles in hand... Jeny Staiman also created an equally stretchy cast on to complement this bind off called Jeny's Stretchy Slipnot Cast-On.

I-Cord Bind Off

In the design SpliTTop by La Maison Rililie, the designer uses a 3 stitch I-cord bind off for the sleeves and the hem of the garment. This created a remarkably professional looking edge that I know I will use in future garments. When working this bind off it is imperative to use a needle 2-4 sizes bigger than the needles used to create the garment. I forgot about this tip when knitting SpliTTop and essentially created a tourniquet on one sleeve! This bind off has little to no stretch to it and creates a firm edge.

Grafting or Kitchner Stitch Bind Off

This method is great for binding off K1P1 ribbing or stockinette stitch. This bind off is very stretchy and invisible all while looking professionally finished. This method is usually used to bind off socks. Vogue Knitting has a great tutorial on their website explaining the different grafting bind off methods.

I hope that you try a couple of these alternative bind offs in your knitting. Let me know which are your new favorites.