Technique:

Knitting Cast Off with More Stretch

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Traditional knitting cast off is fine when you are making sweaters, bags, scarves, and the like.  With autumn officially here and a chill in the air, we are knitting wool socks and leg warmers for an extra cozy layer.  This technique is a great way to cast off your knitting with a little bonus stretch along the edge.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

With a traditional knitting cast off, you knit 1 stitch, knit a 2nd stitch, and pass the first stitch over the 2nd stitch.  This cast off leave a rigid row that has basically no stretch to it.  I’m going to show you a way to cast off that allows for a bit of stretch and give.

 

In the photo below, I am part way through casting off my knitting project that was constructed in-the-round.  You begin the cast off row with the exact same steps as I show below.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

Knit two stitches together through back loop.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

Now you have 1 stitch on your right-hand needle.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

Return the stitch to the left-hand needle.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

Repeat! Knit two together through back of the loop.

Stretchy knitting cast off on legwarmers

Return the stitch to the left-hand needle, knit two together through back loop, and so on!

 

If you are knitting in the round, I suggest this technique for closing up the gap at the end of your row.