The sewn BO / interlock BO is a method of binding off your knitting using a tapestry or yarn needle and “sewing” your yarn through your stitches to bind them off. This creates a very stretchy bind off.
Sewn BO or Interlock Bind Off in Rib
Use this link to read Jeny Staiman’s detailed instructions on about the interlocked/sewn BO Knitty.
Setup: Thread a tapestry needle (TN) with the yarn tail. As to purl (back to front), go into the first stitch on your left needle with the TN, then go into the last stitch on your right needle as to knit (front to back).
Now go back to the left needle and *insert the TN as to knit in the first and the second stitch then bring the TN back through the yarn loop between the two needles (back to front); remove the first stitch on the left needle and snug the yarn up to the stitches leaving the yarn open across dropped stitches.
On the left needle, insert the TN as to purl in the first and the second stitch then bring the TN back through the yarn loop between the two needles (front to back); remove the first stitch on the left needle and snug the yarn up to the stitches, taking care to leave the yarn open across the dropped stitches.
Repeat from *. Working around stitches on left needle, whenever the first stitch is a knit, go into the stitches as to knit, and if it is a purl, go in as to purl.
Sewn Bind Off with Beads
Notes: 1) Cut yarn leaving 3′ tail and string additional beads if needed. You can add beads as-you-go for ease. 2) All the beads are brought through stitches; use tip of tapestry needle to open up stitches if needed. 3) Instead of dropping the first stitch off the left needle, you may wish to transfer it to a second needle for Side Two.
Side One: Thread tapestry needle (TN) with yarn tail and beads. Working from right to left and to the front of needle, thread TN through first 2 stitches as to purl but without pulling tight, PB to right of first stitch. *Drop the first stitch off the needle or to the second needle and bring TN back to the right and thread it into the first stitch, going underneath the yarn tail, and into the second stitch. Repeat from *. Turn work.
Side Two: Return all dropped stitches to a needle. Bring TN around to the front and into the first stitch as to knit. PB, and draw yarn up without pulling it tight. Working from right to left, go into the loop of yarn just created. Drop the first stitch off the needle and thread TN into the next two stitches as to purl. PB. Repeat from * above until all stitches have been bound off on Side Two.
Pattern Specific Variations to Sewn BO
Sometimes, I include technique variations that are for specific patterns. I always include directions for specific techniques in the pattern itself, so be sure to also read any patterns you’re working on closely.
Sewn Bind Off with Beads Variation for Belon
Notes: 1) Cut yarn leaving 3′ tail and string additional beads if needed. 32 beads. You can add beads as-you-go for ease. 2) All the beads are brought through stitches; use tip of tapestry needle to open up stitches if needed. 3) Instead of dropping the first stitch off the left needle, you may wish to transfer it to a second needle for Side Two.
Side One: Thread tapestry needle (TN) with yarn tail and 32 beads. Working from right to left and to the front of needle, thread TN through first 2 stitches as to purl but without pulling tight, PB to right of first stitch. *Drop the first stitch off the needle or to the second needle and bring TN back to the right and thread it into the first stitch, going underneath the yarn tail, and into the second stitch. Repeat from *. Turn work.
Side Two: Return all dropped stitches to a needle. Bring TN around to the front and into the first stitch as to knit. PB, and draw yarn up without pulling it tight. Working from right to left, go into the loop of yarn just created. Drop the first stitch off the needle and thread TN into the next two stitches as to purl. PB. Repeat from * above until all stitches have been bound off on Side Two.
