Binding off

[sid]

2 questions about binding off:
When binding off a neckline or shoulder, for seaming or picking up a neckband, do you have to bind off in pattern or could you just do a basic knit bind off.

When binding off at the top of a cable, I read somewhere that by binding off multiple stitches it prevents stretching. I am doing a six stitch cable.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Ingrid]

I usually bind off in pattern.

I've read that you should either do your bind off a row after crossing the cable (so you'd purl the back and then do the bind off.) If that doesn't work out, you can work the center two stitches together of the cable on the row before the bind off.