Knitting is a versatile craft that allows you to create a variety of beautiful and useful items. One technique that every knitter should learn is how to make an I cord. An I cord is a narrow strip of knitted fabric that is used to create handles, straps, or decorative elements in knitting projects. It is simple to make and can add a professional-looking finish to your knitwear.
To make an I cord, you will need a set of double-pointed knitting needles, yarn, and basic knitting skills. The I cord is worked in a continuous loop, so you will need to be comfortable with working in the round. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process of creating an I cord, from casting on to binding off.
To start, cast on the desired number of stitches onto one of your double-pointed needles. Typically, an I cord is made with 3 or 4 stitches, but you can adjust the number to fit your project. Next, slide the stitches to the opposite end of the needle, making sure that the working yarn is hanging loosely behind the stitches. This will create a loop of stitches. Hold the needle with the stitches in your right hand and the empty needle in your left hand.
Now, insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch from left to right, as if you were going to knit it. Instead of knitting the stitch, slide it from the left-hand needle onto the right-hand needle without wrapping the yarn around the needle. Repeat this process for each stitch until you reach the end of the row. Then, slide the stitches back to the opposite end of the needle and repeat the process. Continue this pattern of sliding the stitches and knitting without wrapping the yarn until the I cord is the desired length.
To bind off the I cord, insert the left-hand needle into the first two stitches on the right-hand needle and lift them over the top of the needle and off. Continue this process for each pair of stitches until only one stitch remains. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail that is long enough to weave in. Thread the tail through the last stitch and pull tight to secure. Weave in the ends, and your I cord is complete!
Gather the necessary materials
In order to make an I cord in knitting, you will need the following materials:
- Knitting needles
- Yarn
- Tape measure
- Scissors
Make sure you have all the necessary materials before you begin. The knitting needles should be the appropriate size for the yarn you are using. The yarn should be a smooth and pliable material that is suitable for knitting. The tape measure will be used to measure the length of the I cord, and the scissors will be used to cut the yarn at the end.
Cast on Stitches
Step 1: Begin by making a slipknot. This is a loop that you will use to start your cast on stitches.
Step 2: Insert the knitting needle into the slipknot and pull the working yarn through the loop.
Step 3: Hold the knitting needle with the slipknot in your right hand and the working yarn in your left hand.
Step 4: Bring the working yarn behind the knitting needle, from left to right.
Step 5: Use your thumb and index finger to hold the working yarn in place while you work the first stitch.
Step 6: Insert the knitting needle into the loop on your left thumb, from back to front.
Step 7: Use the knitting needle to catch the working yarn that is held in your left hand.
Step 8: Pull the working yarn through the loop on your left thumb with the knitting needle.
Step 9: Drop the loop from your thumb and tighten the stitch by pulling on the working yarn.
Step 10: Repeat steps 6-9 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your I cord.
Knit the first row
Before starting your I cord, make sure you have cast on the required number of stitches onto your knitting needle.
Step 1: Hold the needle with the cast-on stitches in your right hand.
Step 2: Insert the left needle into the first stitch on the right needle, from left to right.
Step 3: Hold the working yarn with your right hand and wrap it counterclockwise around the right needle.
Step 4: Use the right needle to pull the loop of yarn through the stitch, creating a new stitch on the right needle.
Step 5: Slip the original stitch off the left needle, leaving the new stitch on the right needle.
Repeat steps 2-5 for each stitch on the left needle, until all stitches have been worked.
Once you have completed the first row, you can continue knitting additional rows to create the desired length of your I cord.
Slide stitches to the other end of the needle
To create an I cord, you will need to slide the stitches from one end of the needle to the other. This step is essential to achieve the characteristic tubular shape of the I cord. Here’s how you can do it:
- Hold your knitting needle with the stitches in your right hand and the working yarn in your left hand.
- Using your left thumb, push the stitches down towards the other end of the needle, keeping them tightly packed together.
- Continue sliding the stitches until they are all at the opposite end of the needle, with the working yarn still attached.
This sliding motion can take a bit of practice to get right, as you want to make sure the stitches stay in place and don’t slip off the needle. Once you’ve mastered this step, you can move on to the next stage of knitting your I cord.
Knit the second row
Now that you have cast on your desired number of stitches, it’s time to start knitting the second row. Follow these steps to knit the second row of the I cord:
- Hold the double-pointed needles in your hands, one in each hand.
- With the working yarn at the back of your work, insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from left to right.
- Wrap the working yarn around the right needle counterclockwise.
- Using your right hand, pull the right needle and the working yarn through the first stitch on the left needle, creating a new stitch on the right needle.
- Slide the stitch off the left needle, transferring it onto the right needle.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until you have knit all the stitches on the left needle.
- At this point, the right needle will become the left needle, and the left needle will become the right needle. The working yarn should be at the back of your work.
- Repeat steps 2-7 to knit the second row of the I cord.
Continue knitting subsequent rows following the same steps until your I cord reaches the desired length. Remember to always keep the working yarn at the back of your work and to transfer the stitches from the left needle to the right needle as you go.
Slide stitches to the other end of the needle
Once you have completed each row of knitting, you will need to slide the stitches to the other end of the needle in order to continue working.
To slide the stitches, hold onto the end of the needle with the stitches on it with your non-dominant hand. Use your dominant hand to grab the other end of the needle and slide the stitches down towards it.
It’s important to be gentle and careful when sliding the stitches so that they don’t fall off the needles. Keep a firm grip on both ends of the needle to ensure that the stitches stay in place.
Repeat this process after each row of knitting until you have reached the desired length for your I cord.
Continue knitting and sliding stitches
Once you have completed your first row of stitches, you will need to continue knitting and sliding your stitches to create the I cord. Here is how you can do it:
- Hold the needle with your cast on stitches in your right hand and the empty needle in your left hand.
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
- Wrap the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise.
- Pull the yarn through the stitch, transferring it from the left needle to the right needle.
- Slide the stitches towards the right tip of the right needle.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until you have knitted all the stitches from the left needle onto the right needle.
- Switch the needles so that the needle with the stitches is in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand.
- Continue repeating steps 2-7 to knit each row of stitches and slide them to the right needle.
- As you continue knitting and sliding the stitches, you will notice that the I cord starts to form.
- Continue knitting and sliding the stitches until your I cord reaches the desired length.
Remember to maintain an even tension and to keep your stitches from getting too tight or too loose. Practice and patience will help you create a beautiful I cord!
Bind off and finish the I cord
Once you have reached the desired length for your I cord, it’s time to bind off and finish it. Here are the steps to follow:
- Knit the first two stitches: Knit the first two stitches of your I cord as you normally would.
- Slip the first stitch over: Take the left-hand needle and slip it into the first stitch on the right-hand needle. Lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle. This is similar to a regular bind-off in knitting.
- Knit the next stitch: Knit the next stitch of your I cord.
- Slip the first stitch over again: Repeat the process of slipping the first stitch over the second stitch and off the needle.
- Continue binding off: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you have bound off all the stitches of your I cord.
After binding off all the stitches, you can finish your I cord in a few different ways:
- Weave in the ends: Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail of a few inches. Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and weave it through the stitches of the I cord to secure it. Trim any excess yarn.
- Add a tassel: Cut a length of yarn and fold it in half. Thread the folded end through the last stitch of your I cord and then thread the loose ends through the folded end, creating a tassel. Tie a knot at the top of the tassel to secure it.
- Attach a pom-pom: Use a small piece of yarn to sew a pom-pom onto the end of your I cord. Make sure to secure it tightly.
Now you know how to bind off and finish your I cord! You can use this versatile knitting technique to add decorative edging to your projects or create cords for drawstrings and handles.
FAQ:
What is an I Cord in knitting?
An I Cord is a narrow tube of knitting that can be used for various purposes, such as drawstrings, embellishments, or even as a stand-alone decorative element in your knitting project.