Sewn Bind Off (Elizabeth Zimmermann)
Elizabeth Zimmermann's sewn bind off uses a tapestry needle and the working yarn (cut to about three times the bind-off width) to sew through each live stitch in turn. The resulting edge is the stretchiest of any common bind off and lies completely flat.
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Method
Cut a tail of yarn 3× the bind-off width. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. Pass the needle through the first two stitches as if to purl, then back through the first stitch as if to knit and slip it off the left needle. Repeat across.
Edge characteristics
A flat, soft, infinitely stretchy edge. The chain is less pronounced than the standard bind off, giving a slightly softer line. Almost unnoticeable in garter stitch.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Best uses
Garter-stitch shawls, garter-stitch baby blankets, top-down sock cuffs in lace yarn, and any bind off that will be worn under tension. Also the standard finish for the top edge of garter-tab shawl borders.
Limitations
Slow — figure on 30–60 minutes for a 200-stitch shawl edge. Easy to lose tension partway through, producing visibly looser stitches in the middle of the bind off.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| BO | bind off |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Tips
- Cut a tail at least 3× the bind-off width — running out mid-bind-off cannot be fixed.
- Maintain consistent tension by pulling each stitch to the same firmness as the body fabric.
- Block aggressively after binding off — the sewn edge looks unfinished until blocked.
In depth
The sewn bind off was popularised by Elizabeth Zimmermann in the 1970s and remains the most elastic bind off in common use. Because each stitch is sewn rather than passed over, the resulting chain has no rigid pull-in and stretches as far as the yarn allows.