Binding off the stitches with a needle
There are many ways to bind off stitches, including using a needle.
This is the method I use:
Switch to 1x1 ribbing (1 knit, 1 purl). If you previously had 2x2 ribbing, do the following:
(π knit, slip π stitch onto a cable needle in front of the work, π purl, knit the stitch from the cable needle, π purl) β repeat to the end of the row.
Knit 4 rows of tubular ribbing:
Row 1: knit 1, slip the purl stitch to the right needle without knitting, yarn in front. Work this way to the end of the row.
Row 2: purl 1, slip the knit stitch to the right needle without knitting, yarn in back. Work this way to the end of the row.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 once more. In total, you will have 4 rows of tubular ribbing.
Next, bind off all stitches with a needle.
For this, take a yarn tail approximately 3 times the length of the row you need to bind off.
The first stitch in front of you is a knit stitch. Work the first knit stitch as follows: insert the needle from left to right, pull the yarn through, and slip this stitch off the left needle. If you are binding off a row that starts with an edge stitch followed by a knit stitch, insert the needle from left to right through both stitches (the edge stitch and the knit stitch after it), pull the yarn through, and slip them off the left needle.
Then repeat these 3 steps: π
The next stitch is a purl stitch. It should sit on the needle with the front leg toward you. If it is oriented differently, turn it so the legs switch places. Insert the needle from left to right into the purl stitch and pull the yarn through.
Find the previously slipped knit stitch. Insert the needle from right to left, catching that knit stitch through its left leg, and also catch the knit stitch on the left needle through its right leg. Insert the needle through both stitches and pull the yarn through.
Now insert the needle from right to left into the purl stitch through the front leg only and pull the yarn through. Slip both worked stitches off the needle.
Repeat these 3 steps to the end of the row, then secure the remaining yarn tail.
Thatβs it β a neat and elastic edge is now in your hands π