Quick fix: Rip out the bind-off row and redo it with a needle 2 sizes larger in your right hand only. Or switch to the Russian bind off for a stretchy edge.
What you are seeing
The cast-off edge is tighter than the fabric body. It puckers or won't stretch enough to go over your foot or head.
Why it happens
- Standard bind off is naturally less elastic than knitted fabric
- Binding off while holding yarn too tightly
- Not using a stretchy method for edges that need to open
Fix it now
- Rip out the bind-off row by pulling the yarn to unravel each stitch back onto your needle.
- Simple fix: bind off again with a needle 2 sizes larger in right hand only.
- Stretchy Russian bind off: k2, slip both back to left needle, k2tog tbl, repeat.
- Stretchy k2tog: k2tog, slip result back to left needle, k2tog with next stitch, repeat.
- Test stretch on a short sample before binding off the full edge.
Prevent it next time
- Use a stretchy bind off for all necklines, sock cuffs, and hat brims
- Go up 1-2 needle sizes automatically for bind-off rows
- Test your bind-off method on a swatch