Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off

When finishing a knitting project, there are times when a stretchy bind off is desired. Invented in 2009 by Jeny Staiman, the Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off is perfect for items where you need extra stretch along a bind off edge. In this video, Michele Lee Bernstein demonstrates how to work this popular bind off technique.

The main difference between this bind off and a traditional bind off is an extra yarn over is worked in between each stitch. Michele demonstrates how to work these yarn overs on a 1×1 (knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch) fabric, as well as a Stockinette stitch fabric.

BINDING OFF IN 1X1 RIBBING

Working the Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off is particularly useful for toe-up socks and Brioche projects. Michele demonstrates that the bind off is worked in ribbing as follows:

1. 1. Wrap yarn around right needle clockwise to create a reverse yarn over
2. 2. Knit 1 stitch – 2 stitches on right needle
3. 3. Pass the yarn over up and over the knit stitch – 1 stitch remains on the right needle
4. 4. Wrap yarn around right needle counterclockwise, creating a traditional yarn over—2 stitches on right needle
5. 5. Purl 1 stitch – 3 stitches on right needle.
6. 6. Pass first two stitches over the third stitch – 1 stitch remains
7. 7. Wrap yarn around right needle clockwise to create a reverse yarn over
8. 8. Knit 1 stitch – 2 stitches on right needle
9. 9. Pass the yarn over up and over the knit stitch – 1 stitch remains on the right needle

Repeat steps 4 through 9 until 1 stitch remains on the needle. Cut yarn and pass through final stitch to fasten off.

BINDING OFF ON STOCKINETTE STITCH

When using this bind off on Stockinette stitch, Michele notes that it can be worked on either the Right Side or Wrong Side of the fabric. She likes to work the bind off knitwise on the Wrong Side, as it creates an edge similar to an i-cord bind off.

When working the Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off knitwise, the yarn overs will be worked in a clockwise fashion to create a reverse yarn over. When working purlwise, the yarn overs will be worked in a counterclockwise fashion to create a standard yarn over. By adding the extra yarn overs between the stitches, it makes a little more yarn go into the bind off edge and makes it very stretchy.