this being my first real adventure in toe-up socks, i was a loss as to what bind off to use. sensational knitted socks didn’t have a recommended bind-off (did it?)…and i’ve read enough blogs to know that i needed something stretchy. a quick google search didn’t turn up much, although i did rediscover laurie b’s toes and heels webpage (it’s a fantastic collection of links for different toe and heel techniques…thanks!).
since you end at the cuff when you knit toe-up, the bind-off must be loose and elastic. it would be a tragedy to have (unintentionally) slouchy socks after all the time you put into it. i found a k1p1 invisible bind-off that i thought might work for me described in the twisted sister’s sock workbook. the wording was a little confusing, but i plowed on…and thought to put what i learned up on the ol’ blog to share with you. 
it may seem like a lot of work, but i think this bind-off is espcially pretty and very elastic. i hope you enjoy it as much as i do!
k1p1 invisible bind-off tutorial
- after you have finished the desired length of your k1p1 cuff, break off a length of yarn about three times the circumference of your sock. thread through a tapestry needle to begin.
- note: the photos are associated with the text below it.
- please leave me feedback – this is my first tutorial!
- in the first stitch (a knit stitch) thread the needle from back to front. pull yarn through and snug gently.
- in the next stitch (a purl stitch) thread the needle from front to back. pull yarn through and snug.
- the yarn should look something like this.
- go back to the first knit stitch and thread the needle from front to back. pull yarn through. snug.
- slip this stitch off the needle.
- *in the next stitch (a knit stitch), thread the needle from back to front.
- go back to the purl stitch (now the first stitch on the needle) and thread needle from back to front. slip this stitch off the needle.
- the second stitch on the needle should be a purl stitch. you will need to thread your yarn through this stitch from front to back . BUT, you need to do this from BEHIND the first knit stitch.
- to do this, approaching from the back, put your needle between the first and second stitch. now thread the needle from the front to the back of the purl (second) stitch.
- it may seem a little awkward, but it will get easier.
- now, in the first (knit) stitch, thread the needle from front to back. pull the yarn through. snug. slip stitch off needle.
- go to *.
- continue until the last purl stitch.
- thread the needle from back to front on the inital knit stitch.
- thread the needle from back to front on the last purl stitch.
- now thread the needle once more on the inital stitch. pull yarn through. snug.
- last step!! pull needle through to other side. weave in ends.
- viola! a stretchy k1p1 invisible cast-off!
