With an ordinary bind-off, an armhole edge can look stepped. In this method, edge stitches are slipped or passed over in a specific sequence: bind off 5 stitches first, then 3 stitches, then 1 stitch three times on both right-side and wrong-side rows.
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Translated
Things you will learn
For the sample shown in the source, bind off 5 stitches, then 3 stitches, then 1 stitch three times.
At the beginning of a right-side row, slip the edge stitch without knitting it, knit the next stitch, and pass the edge stitch over it.
At the end of a wrong-side row, do not bind off the final edge stitch; slip it onto the other needle.
After all the decreases are complete, steam the fabric gently through cheesecloth without pressing it.
Smooth Armhole Edge
An armhole edge without a visible staircase effect, giving a neater line where it joins the sleeve.
Materials and tools
Tools
Knitting needles, Use the right-hand needle to bind off stitches and pass stitches over.
Cheesecloth, For gently steaming the finished fabric.
Preparation
Prepare a swatch
The source demonstrates the method on a swatch: bind off 5 stitches, then 3 stitches, then 1 stitch three times.
Compare a standard and a smooth edge
Standard bind-offs can leave a visible stepped line. The aim of this method is a smooth armhole edge.
Assess the edge before and after shaping
The first image shows the stepped line made by a standard bind-off. The second shows the smooth edge this method aims to create.
Bind off in stages
Repeat the sequence on both sides of the armhole, keeping the edge stitches in the correct position.
Bind off the first 5 stitches
On a right-side row, slip the edge stitch without knitting it. Knit the next stitch and pass the edge stitch over it. 1 stitch remains on the right-hand needle. Knit the next stitch and pass the previous stitch over it; continue this way until all 5 stitches are bound off. Work the rest of the row in pattern.
Shape the opposite edge
On the other side of the armhole, slip the edge stitch, purl the next stitch, and pass the edge stitch over it. Do not bind off the final stitch of the wrong-side row: slip it onto the other needle.
Bind off 3 stitches without a step
Slip the stitch after the edge stitch without knitting it and pass the edge stitch over it. Then knit the next stitch and pass the previous stitch over it; continue until 3 stitches have been bound off. At the end of the right-side row, slip the edge stitch. Repeat the process on the wrong-side row.
Bind off 1 stitch at a time
After binding off 5 and 3 stitches, bind off 1 stitch three times: on each right-side and wrong-side row, the right-hand needle already holds the edge stitch slipped on the previous row; slip the next stitch and pass the edge stitch over it. In the final row, when all decreases are complete, work every stitch, including the edge stitches.
Steam the finished edge
Light steam blocking helps even out the fabric.
Steam through cheesecloth
Gently steam the finished fabric through cheesecloth without pressing. The photos show the even armhole edge and its join to the sleeve.
Do not press the fabric
The source recommends steaming through cheesecloth without pressure to preserve the edge's neat shape.
Finish and variations
Finish
Check the armhole curve
After steaming, the edge should look even, without visible steps.
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