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 2×2 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 2×2 rib is exactly the same as the tubular bind-off for 1×1 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 2×2 rib so far:

#1: This tutorial for 1×1 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 1×1 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 2×2 tubular bind-off in Knitting Tips & Trade Secrets because it’s the first one I found specifically for 2×2 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 2×2 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 2×2 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 “1×1 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 3×1 tubular bind-off might be possible?

Shhh, don’t tell! Google books gives you a peek at the page for tubular bind-off for 2×2 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.