Yarn Over Bind Off for 1x1 Rib

I love the yarn over bind off for a really stretchy bind off. Unfortunately I dislike the ruffle that it tends to give to a 1x1 ribbed sock cuff.

My version is very simple - really just like binding off "in pattern," except that you add YOs after each knit stitch. This adds just enough extra yarn between stitches to allow the edge to stretch without giving the "curly" effect of the sewn bind off or the "full" YO bind off.

Here we go. Assuming the first stitch is a knit stitch, the first three stitches are just "normal" in-pattern bind off:

1. Knit the first stitch.
2. Purl the next stitch, slip the first stitch on the right needle over the second and off the needle.
3. Knit the next stitch, slip the first stitch on the right needle over the second and off the needle.
4. YO (bring the yarn to the front, up and around the right needle).
5. Slip the first stitch on the right needle over the YO and off the needle.

Repeat steps 2 through 5 over the whole edge of the sock. Here are some photos illustrating steps 4 and 5.

Step 4: YO (bring the yarn to the front, up and around the right needle)

Step 5: Slip the first stitch on the right needle over the YO and off the needle.



In the above photo you can also see what the edge looks like after a bit of the bind off has been completed.

Here's a photo of the stretched edge. It pulls in slightly here because I was binding off quite tightly on purpose. This is about as tight as it can get:

That's it!