Decorative I-Cord Bind Off

The I-cord bind off is great for just about any knitting project. Not only does it provide a nice bit of stretch to the bind off edge of the fabric, but it also adds a nice decorative detail. Michele notes that this bind off can be worked in either the same color as your project or in a different color. If binding off in a different color, work the final wrong side row of the project in that new color, and then bind off on the right side of the piece as follows:

1. With right side facing and using the knitted cast on, cast on 3 stitches
2. Knit 2 stitches, k2tog tbl (knit two stitches together through the back loops)
3. Slip the 3 stitches purlwise from the right needle to the left needle
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until all stitches have been bound off and the 3 stitches of the I-cord remain
5. Bind off the last 3 stitches using a traditional bind off

Michele explains that you can make the I-cord a little bit larger if you like. You can cast on 4 or 5 stitches instead of 3 to make the cord have a little more bulk. In those instances, you would knit 3 or 4 stitches and then work the knit two together through the back loops.

With the I-cord bind off complete, Michele is left with a nice, clean edge to her fabric that still has a good amount of stretch to it. By working the final wrong side row of the swatch in the new color there is a clean transition between the two colors.