Quick question about armhole shaping

Okay, so I have reached the point in my sweater where it is time to shape the armholes. The instructions given were to bind off four stitches at the beginning of each row. The first row in my sweater for the bind off was a knit row, the second, a purl row (I’m still knitting that striped sweater that’s primarily in stockinette stitch). I noticed that when I bound off the stitches as directed, the distance from the needle looked unequal on both sides (maybe because one row was a knit and the second row was a purl). My instructor of the project class that I’ve been taking (and never returning to after today- long story behind that one) said they looked even to her (she measured them). However, when I measured them, I got a different measurement then she did. Plus, I don’t quite trust her judgment on most things (another reason I’m not returning to her class).

Is it normal for there to be some unevenness in the bind off when shaping the armholes if one row is a knit and the second is a purl? Or have I made a mistake that needs fixing? I am aware that virtually all patterns have you do the armhole shaping by binding off the same number of stitches on two rows- you can’t bind off at the end of a row, unfortunately (that would make things look more equal, if you could). But does the bind off have to measure exactly the same distance from the needle on both sides? Any input would be great.

Thanks,
Sapphire

If the only different is that one row where you decreased at the beg of the knit row and then decreased on the very next purl row, that is the right way to do it. Pretty much every sweater is done that way and the one row difference is not noticeable at all, so your instructor is right.

you are offset by one row, no problem. That is really nothing. (only on very small projects that makes a noticable difference. I just never worry.

But I think for you it is the width of the stitch, not the hight. Is that correct?

For that issue:

you bind off by working 2 stitches and then pulling the first one you worked over the second one.

Well, some people work their knits and purls differently tight. Then the loop pulled over (determining the width of the bind off edge) is shorter or longer. If you pay attention to tension there you will be getting this more equal.

But really: If the difference is not incredible: you will not see that on a pullover. On that edge you will put in the sleeves, the bind off edge will disappear in the seam for that and there will be no issue - judging that the edge is not soooo tight, that it forms a totally tight bunch. Then you would feel the difference in stretch.

Do you have a photo to show us?