JSSBO or Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off
JSSBO: Yarn over (see below direction of yarn over) before the first stitch of round. Work the stitch in pattern, and then pull the yarn over over the stitch and off the right needle. *Yarn over and work the next stitch in pattern, pull the first stitch and the yarn over over the last stitch worked and off the right needle. Repeat from * until there is one stitch remaining on the right needle. To close the gap, before cutting the yarn, pull up a new stitch going underneath the two legs of the first stitch. Cut yarn. Pull the first stitch over the new stitch then pull yarn through.
How to wrap the yarn over:
- From back over needle to front and under needle to back to work a knit stitch.
- From front over needle to back and under needle to front to work a purl stitch.
Use the JSSBO wherever you need a flexible bind off. It works particularly well when binding off in pattern, as in rib, as shown. It is similar to the YO bind off which I have used for years, but Jeny’s directional wrapping of the yarn overs makes all the difference in how the stitches fit together.
Modified JSSBO
I’ve used this in a few instances when I need a flexible bind off, but not quite as flexible as the usual JSSBO. It is easier to do the YO in front of purls because it wraps the yarn in the “usual” way. Ways to use the modified JSSBO.
- If there is a knit/purl sequence, I will only do the YO before purls.
- If there aren’t every-other-purls, I will do the YO before every other stitch. This can get a little confusing!
- If purling, then do every other stitch, as above.
