If you like to match cast on and bind off edges of your projects, this tutorial is for you. We’ll see how we can make a bind off edge that looks very similar to the edge formed by the Easy Picot Cast On.
Because the cast on edge that we are trying to match consists of two parts – a double-layered edge and a set of little picots on top of each stitch – we’ll have to do a few very interesting manipulations to form the same thick edge with picots as we bind off stitches.
I’ve tested a handful of different solutions with mixed results before I settled on a combination of two methods that create a very similar look to the one produced by the picot cast on technique. And it is not just the look. The edges have a similar thickness and the same amount of stretch.
Let’s see how this approach works step by step. If you prefer to learn from a video tutorial:
STEP 1
Purl all stitches in the last wrong side row of your project.
This step is true for all stitch patterns. No matter what stitch pattern you use as the main pattern of your project, when you work the last wrong side row before the bind off, purl all stitches in that row.
STEP 2 – RIGHT SIDE OF THE WORK
In this step, we’ll form the double-layered edging that makes the edge so decorative and keeps it from curling.
This edging is made of two layers of stitches. We already have one layer of stitches on our needles. The trick is to make a twin stitch to each of our stitches without re-orienting that stitch and without making holes between the stitches.
We’ll do it by knitting stitches from the top part of the stitches that are below our live stitches. Here’s how:
2.1. Knit the first stitch.
2.2. Insert the tip of the right needle from the top down under the top part of the stitch that is below the first stitch on the left needle. Because we purled all stitches in the previous row, the strand that we are looking for is now at the wrong side of the work.
2.3. Wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn as you do when you are about to knit a stitch.
2.4. Pull the yarn through to form a new stitch.
2.5. Insert the tip of the right needle from right to left into the next stitch on the left needle.
2.6. Take the left needle out of that stitch slipping the stitch to the right needle.
Repeat steps 2.2 through 2.6 to the end of the row. By the time you finish the row, you will almost double the number of stitches on your needles.
It might seem a bit counterintuitive considering that this method is supposed to help up to close the stitches, not to clone them, but bear with me – all stitches will be nicely closed in the next step.
STEP 3 – WRONG SIDE OF THE WORK
In this step, we’ll knit every pair of stitches together, and we’ll wrap the working yarn around each stitch to mimic the little picots that decorate the top of the cast on edge created by the picot cast on method.
Here’s how we do it step by step:
3.1. With the yarn at the back of the work, insert the tip of the right needle from left to right into the first pair of twin stitches on the left needle.
3.2. Wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn and knit these two stitches together.
3.3. Take the working yarn in your right hand and move it clockwise around the stitch on the right needle – to the right, then to the front of the work, then to the left and, finally, to the back of the work.
3.4. Knit the next pair of stitches together. Now we have two stitches on the right needle.
3.5. Pass the second stitch from the tip of the right needle over the first one and off the needle, the same ways as we do when we bind off stitches.
Repeat steps 3.3 through 3.5 (make a yarn wrap, knit 2 stitches together and pass one stitch on the right needle over the other one) until you get to the last stitch of the row.
Work step 3.3 one more time making a yarn wrap around the stitch on the right needle. Then knit the last stitch and pass the second stitch from the tip of the right needle over the first one.
Cut the yarn and pass the yarn tail through the last stitch. Pull tight to secure.
As you see, the edge that we get after we make all these unusual manipulations with the yarn and needles looks very similar to the edge formed by the picot cast on – the same thick edge and similar picots on top of each stitch.
These edges will look great on any scarf, shawl or blanket. The thickness of the edge will keep the fabric from stretching and curling, and your project will look well-finished even after you use it for quite some time.
Plus, no one will be able to tell the difference between the cast on and the bind off edges, and many knitters will wonder how you made those edges.
SAVE IT FOR LATER:
This and 41 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #6.
