help w/casting on & binding off discrepancies

[~*max*~]

Knitting pros, I need your help! I am teaching myself to knit & on all of my finished pieces I am noticing a big difference between my cast on row & my bind off row. The cast on row is loose & stretchy, whereas the bind off row is tight & w/out any give. I have tried binding off w/bigger needles. That helped some, but there was still a significant difference. Any ideas on what I could be doing wrong? TIA! :

[MissRubyandKen]

What type of cast on and bind off are you using?

[~*max*~]

Originally Posted by MissRubyandKen

What type of cast on and bind off are you using?

Hmmmm, good question. Perhaps that is my problem. I didn't realize there were other methods. Looking back in my book, I am casting on w/the English Method. The binding off in my book is just called Binding Off. It has me knitting two stitches, then w/the left needle bringing the first stitch over the second stitch & off the needle. Then knit one stitch and continue.

[MissRubyandKen]

Well I'm definitely not an expert so hopefully one will chime in soon.

Can you watch the videos on knittinghelp.com? She shows quite a few methods. She's really good at it too, amazing to watch in action. She's gives a little description of each on the link page with what each is good for etc. Sounds like you might need a tighter cast on or maybe just one that is easier to do neatly. Was what you were binding off knit stitches or purl? That might make a difference too. Purl the purl stitches and bind off, knit the knit stitches to bind off. Also are you on the public (right) side when binding off?

[Kayaking Mama]

Try using the sewn bind-off. It's stretchier. I have the same problem with tight bind-offs, even after several years of knitting!

http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/h...-bind-off.aspx

[~*max*~]

Thanks for the info ladies. I will try the sewn bind off on my next project. And thank you for the link also Kayaking Mama. Those instructions are very easy to understand.

Is there a way to get my cast on to look more like an English Method bind off?