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I-cord is a simple knitting technique that creates a very narrow tube of knitting that looks a bit like French knitting. This is a stitch used for creating knitting bag handles, adding as edging on a project or applying as a specific cord in various craft projects. Following these simple steps will result in knitting an I-cord.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:Double Pointed Needles
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1
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2Knit one row. Do not turn the work.Advertisement
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3Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle.[2]
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4Knit a second row by bringing the yarn behind the work and starting with the first stitch. Tug the work from the bottom after each first stitch to help it to take shape and to even out the tension.
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5Repeat steps 3 and 4 until desired length is achieved. It'll start to take shape after 3/4 rows.Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:Single Pointed Needles
The above method can be easily adapted if you don't have double-pointed needles.
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1Cast on three to five stitches depending on the thickness of i-cord you want.
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2Knit one row. Do not turn your work.[3]
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3Slide the stitches from the tip of the needle directly onto the tip of the other needle. (If you are a right handed knitter, you will slip the stitches off the right needle and onto the left needle.)[4]
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4Repeat step two until the i-cord is the desired length.
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5Cast off.Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:Circular Needle
I-cords can also be created with a circular needle.
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1Cast on three to five stitches depending on the thickness of i-cord you want.
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2Knit one row.[5]
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3Like in the double-pointed method, slide the stitches from one end of the circular needle to the other. Instead of using a second double pointed needle to create your stitches, you'll simply use the other end of your circular needle.[6]
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4Repeat step two until the i-cord is the desired length.
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5Cast off.Advertisement
Community Q&A
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QuestionIs the standard pattern 3 to 5 cast on sts or can the sts be increased?
LibraryMouseCommunity AnswerYou can cast on more stitches, but it might not work as well. -
QuestionCan I use more than one strand of yarn?
Dianne HainesCommunity AnswerYes, you can. It would make a thicker I cord. Different colors would make it colorful, too. -
QuestionWhat thickness does the yarn need to be for the I cord?
MicheleTop AnswererYou can use any yarn weight to make an I cord. Of course, the thinner the yarn, the smaller the cord, as thicker yarn will yield a larger cord. -
QuestionCan we knit an I cord border on a finished piece of knitting? On the cast on side,from where we started the knitting?MicheleTop AnswererYes, you can knit an I-Cord cast on. There is plenty of info on the web and YouTube showing you how.
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QuestionCan I crochet an I-cord?
SarshanCommunity AnswerYes, though it's just an elongated cylinder. You would chain double your desired width and join without twisting the stitches. Then, just single-crochet in a spiral until you reach your desired length. -
QuestionWhen you said to repeat step 2, do I repeat step 3 too?
Community AnswerYes! You just have to keep repeating both steps 2 and 3, and you will start to see the i-cord take shape. -
QuestionHow do you knit a small opening onto the i-cord at the end? I would like to hang this when finished.AmeliaCommunity AnswerKnit a bit more, bind off, make a loop at the top of the cord, and sew the loop shut. Then hang it.
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QuestionHow do you knit an I-cord onto a knitted square?
T. ChinsenTop AnswererFollow the instructions in the article and pick up and knit 1 stitch off your square at the end of the row. You will be adding one extra stitch to the I-cord when you knit onto the square. Repeat each row in this way. To turn a corner, do not pick up a stitch for two rows. Go back to picking up and knitting a stitch on the next side of your square. Finish off by casting off and sewing the tail into the start of the I-cord. -
QuestionWhat is the approximate length conversion from wool to i cord, specifically a worsted weight wool?T. ChinsenTop AnswererThe length of the cord depends on the needle size you use regardless of the yarn weight. The needle size gives the height of each stitch. When you multiply the number of rows by that height, you will get the length of your I-cord. The worsted weight gives thickness to your cord. The higher the number, the thicker the cord.
Warnings
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Thanks!
Things You'll Need
- Two double pointed needles
- Yarn
References
- ↑ https://blog.loveknitting.com/mastering-the-i-cord/
- ↑ https://blog.loveknitting.com/mastering-the-i-cord/
- ↑ http://www.sapphiresnpurls.com/2011/12/i-cord-on-straight-needles-single.html
- ↑ http://www.sapphiresnpurls.com/2011/12/i-cord-on-straight-needles-single.html
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBq8HhyEv-g
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBq8HhyEv-g
About This Article
To knit an I-cord, start by casting on between 3 and 5 stitches to your double-pointed needles, depending on what your pattern calls for. Next, knit one row and slide the stitches to the other end of the needle. Then, knit another row by bringing the yarn behind your work and pulling it through from back to front. Finally, repeat stitching rows from the front and back until the cord is as long as you’d like. For tips on how to knit an I-cord if you don’t have double-pointed needles, read on!
