I’m knitting another sweater: notes on tubular bind-off for 2×2 rib
the sweater: Ribby Cardi
the yarn: Cotton Ease in Stone
the previous entries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
I finished the top of my collar last night using 2x2 rib tubular bind-off, which I had to re-learn since it's been three months since the last time I managed to learn it.
I discovered that the tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib is exactly the same as the tubular bind-off for 1x1 rib. At least, the one I chose to learn is. That this extremely obvious thing managed to elude me until now makes me both feel incredibly dim, and does not surprise me at all.
One thing I'm coming to understand as I'm researching this is that it goes by so many names -- "tubular", "invisible", "sewn bind-off", "bind-off for blahxblah rib", "kitchener bind-off" and "grafted bind-off" -- it's really difficult to Google for further clarification if book instructions leave you scratching your head. I've used three sources to work out the tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib so far:
#1: This tutorial for 1x1 bind-off over at CrankyGrrrrrl because it has color photographs and she's using a multicolor yarn so it's easier to see which strand is which.
#2: The pages for 1x1 tubular bind-off in The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques because it talks about how to do it with the stitches divided onto two needles and uses the terms "knitwise" and "purlwise" which make more sense to me than through the back/front loop.
#3: The 2x2 tubular bind-off in Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets because it's the first one I found specifically for 2x2 rib. Turns out the only difference is the first few stitches, instructions I ignored and mine turned out fine. And upon more close reading it says right there: "I bind off with the same steps I would use for tubular cast-off, single rib". Yes, hello, I should spend more time reading carefully.
I suspect there are other techniques for binding off in 2x2 rib out there, and they are probably neater and stretchier, but I'm tired. And the one I know is good enough for the top edge of my collar. And, it looks exactly like the 2x2 rib tubular cast on I used.
Anyhow, yay, stuff has been figured out. Above you see my finished collar (which I suspect I'll be undoing and making a bit shorter), my orange zipper and the orange glitter charm I gleefully acquired from Glamscience to hang off the end of the zipper pull. update: She has a few available in her Etsy shop right now. And a note to whomever bought the olive green one right out from under me, after I had put it in my shopping cart: I'm gonna get you. I cannot believe I was pwned on Etsy!
I still plan to do a how-to page, if only so that I can refer to it myself in another three months, but it'll have to wait until the busiest time of the year passes.
Links I found while in the middle of typing this entry:
Savannahchick Knits on tubular bind off, a good tutorial, and huh, she says "1x1 rib These instructions are for K1 P1 rib. You can tubular bind-off in other ribs, but the directions at each step will vary." Does this mean a 3x1 tubular bind-off might be possible?
Shhh, don't tell! Google books gives you a peek at the page for tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib I used, but I started mine differently.
Is it "bind off" or "bind-off"? I'm finding both and I'm unsure which is the correct one.
the yarn: Cotton Ease in Stone
the previous entries: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
I finished the top of my collar last night using 2x2 rib tubular bind-off, which I had to re-learn since it's been three months since the last time I managed to learn it.
I discovered that the tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib is exactly the same as the tubular bind-off for 1x1 rib. At least, the one I chose to learn is. That this extremely obvious thing managed to elude me until now makes me both feel incredibly dim, and does not surprise me at all.
One thing I'm coming to understand as I'm researching this is that it goes by so many names -- "tubular", "invisible", "sewn bind-off", "bind-off for blahxblah rib", "kitchener bind-off" and "grafted bind-off" -- it's really difficult to Google for further clarification if book instructions leave you scratching your head. I've used three sources to work out the tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib so far:
#1: This tutorial for 1x1 bind-off over at CrankyGrrrrrl because it has color photographs and she's using a multicolor yarn so it's easier to see which strand is which.
#2: The pages for 1x1 tubular bind-off in The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques because it talks about how to do it with the stitches divided onto two needles and uses the terms "knitwise" and "purlwise" which make more sense to me than through the back/front loop.
#3: The 2x2 tubular bind-off in Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets because it's the first one I found specifically for 2x2 rib. Turns out the only difference is the first few stitches, instructions I ignored and mine turned out fine. And upon more close reading it says right there: "I bind off with the same steps I would use for tubular cast-off, single rib". Yes, hello, I should spend more time reading carefully.
I suspect there are other techniques for binding off in 2x2 rib out there, and they are probably neater and stretchier, but I'm tired. And the one I know is good enough for the top edge of my collar. And, it looks exactly like the 2x2 rib tubular cast on I used.
Anyhow, yay, stuff has been figured out. Above you see my finished collar (which I suspect I'll be undoing and making a bit shorter), my orange zipper and the orange glitter charm I gleefully acquired from Glamscience to hang off the end of the zipper pull. update: She has a few available in her Etsy shop right now. And a note to whomever bought the olive green one right out from under me, after I had put it in my shopping cart: I'm gonna get you. I cannot believe I was pwned on Etsy!
I still plan to do a how-to page, if only so that I can refer to it myself in another three months, but it'll have to wait until the busiest time of the year passes.
Links I found while in the middle of typing this entry:
Savannahchick Knits on tubular bind off, a good tutorial, and huh, she says "1x1 rib These instructions are for K1 P1 rib. You can tubular bind-off in other ribs, but the directions at each step will vary." Does this mean a 3x1 tubular bind-off might be possible?
Shhh, don't tell! Google books gives you a peek at the page for tubular bind-off for 2x2 rib I used, but I started mine differently.
Is it "bind off" or "bind-off"? I'm finding both and I'm unsure which is the correct one.
I think "bind-off" when you're using it as a noun and "bind off" when it's a verb. (Like "set-up" versus "set up.")
Comment by Katie — December 11, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Katie, that is genius.
Megan wrote:
"Does this mean a 3x1 tubular bind-off might be possible? "
Oh, my heart does flutter at the idea of that. Maybe I'll give it a try and see what happens.
My problem has been that I am so in love with 3x1 ribbing and I can't find one that pulls in more than that does. So I'll do a whole sock leg in 3x1 and then the last inch in 1x1 and it looks goofy when the sock isn't on... but it fits okay, so I guess who cares.
Comment by Emily — December 11, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Emily - I believe that if you go ahead and try to figure out tubular for 3x1 you should get to know the technique for 1x1 on a single needle first. Then learn 2x2 on a single needle. After this, you can probably figure out what pattern is needed for 3x1.
The tubular bind off where you divide the stitches onto two separate needles is easier from an organization standpoint, but it might only be good for even numbered ribbing. Or maybe not. I'm hoping to experiment with this when I get the time.
Also, thanks Katie! That makes sense.
Comment by megan — December 11, 2007 @ 11:22 am
You hyphenate words when they become adjectives. The words become a temporary compound word. Remember adjectives describe nouns. Example: Bind-off Tutorial.
Comment by Rachel — December 11, 2007 @ 11:49 am
I snapped up the red and chartreuse charms, as well as some hairpins. Thanks to you, I am now addicted to Daria's goods :)
Comment by marielle — December 14, 2007 @ 1:10 pm