Everything you need to know about the suspended bind-off knitting method for a stretchier edge

Are you looking to add a little bit more give to your edges? Then the suspended bind-off could be your best friend. This ingenious method allows you to create the exact same edge as your regular bind-off technique – only stretchier.

a swatch with the suspended bind off knitted in blue yarn on a table

It can be a little bit more complicated (read awkward) to knit. Still, with a little bit of patience and practice, you will certainly be able to use it to finish projects that need a moderately stretchy edge.

Let’s dive right into it!

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Instructions: How to knit the suspended bind-off

The suspended bind-off has the exact same mechanics as the standard bind-off. Through suspending the loop after passing it over, you add a little bit more give to the edge.

Active Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Materials

Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

Any knitting needle works. I am using the Addi Olive wood needles here

Instructions

Knit two stitches as normal.
With yarn held in back, pass the second stitch over the first but KEEP the loop suspended on the left needle.
With the loop still on the left needle, enter the second stitch on the left needle knitwise.
Wrap the working yarn around the needle counter-clockwise.
And pull the yarn all the way through. The loop still stays suspended on the left needle.
Drop both loops off the left needle to finish binding off your first stitch.
Pass the new second stitch over the first one and keep the loop suspended on the left needle again.
Continue repeating steps 2-7 by entering the second stitch on the left needle knitwise.

someone stretching the suspended bind-off edge

Now, you might wonder how stretchy the suspended bind-off is, right? It is only medium stretchy. Depending on your tension, it will add around 5-10 percent more give.

comparing a swatch finished with the suspended bind off with normal method — Two swatches in a 2×2 rib stitch stretched out too the max. Top: Standard bind-off | Bottom: Alternating suspended bind-off

Again, you have to understand that, technically speaking, it is the same edge. But as you keep the loop suspended for the time being, you prevent pulling things tight as you knit. In a way, it’s like binding off with a larger needle size when you don’t have one at hand (or are too lazy to get it).

Reading tip: If you need even more give, check out this list of the 10 best stretchy bind-off techniques.

Alternating suspended bind-off (for ribbings)

someone holding an alternating suspended bind-off for 2x2 ribbings into the camera

Now, what happens if you want to use the suspended bind-off for a 2×2 rib stitch or similar patterns where you alternate knit and purl stitches? Well, you can certainly employ the same technique with one MAJOR difference: You have to bring the yarn forward before you pass over whenever you next stitch is a purl stitch.

Step 1: Whenever your next stitch is a purl stitch, bring the yarn forward.

bringing the yarn forward in front of a purl stitch

Step 2: Pass the second stitch over the first and keep it suspended on the left needle.

passing the second stitch over with yarn in front

Step 3: Purl the (now) second stitch on your left needle. Then drop both stitches.

purling into the new second stitch on the left needle with the loop still suspended

Step 4: Drop both loops off the left needle. (Note: This will definitely feel a little bit awkward for continental knitters. That’s normal)

It boils down to reading your knitting in anticipation of the next stitch you need to bind off. Whenever the next stitch is a purl stitch, you bring the yarn to the front and pass over, and whenever the next stitch is a knit stitch, you keep the yarn in back and pass over.

And in that manner, you can adapt the suspended bind-off and create an in-pattern edge – no matter if you are knitting a 1×1 rib, a 2×2 rib, or seed stitch.