How to Knit an I Cord

Co-authored by Jen Webber

Last Updated: July 5, 2022 Approved

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.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Double Pointed Needles

1
Cast on the number of stitches desired or called for by a pattern with double pointed needles. Between three and five is normal - any more might require an extra double-pointed needle.^{[1]
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2
Knit one row. Do not turn the work.

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3
Slide the stitches to the other end of the needle.^{[2]
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4
Knit 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.
5
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until desired length is achieved. It'll start to take shape after 3/4 rows.
- Double pointed needles can cause laddering because there can be a little space in between the needles.
- If you pull it a little tight as you switch needles, it can help get rid of that.
- When you pick them up, check if you are knitting on the right side and not backward or from the inside.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Single Pointed Needles

The above method can be easily adapted if you don't have double-pointed needles.

1
Cast on three to five stitches depending on the thickness of i-cord you want.
2
Knit one row. Do not turn your work.^{[3]
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3
Slide 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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4
Repeat step two until the i-cord is the desired length.
5
Cast off.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Circular Needle

I-cords can also be created with a circular needle.

1
Cast on three to five stitches depending on the thickness of i-cord you want.
2
Knit one row.^{[5]
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3
Like 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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4
Repeat step two until the i-cord is the desired length.
5
Cast off.

Expert Q&A

Question

What are the benefits of using acrylic yarn for knitting?

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.

Jen Webber

Knitting Specialist

Expert Answer

Acrylic yarn is great because it's inexpensive, can last for a long time, and hold up to being in the washing machine.
Question

What should you do to finish a knitting project?

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.

Jen Webber

Knitting Specialist

Expert Answer

You should block your project. Blocking involves soaking or steaming the knitting and drying it to get the fibers to even out. Besides this, do not sew the knitted pieces together too tight or too loose. The sewing should match the tension of the knitting.
Question

Is the standard pattern 3 to 5 cast on sts or can the sts be increased?

LibraryMouse

Community Answer

You can cast on more stitches, but it might not work as well.