How to Knit an Applied I-cord

Our very own Jeanne stars in this knitting instructional video demonstrating how to knit an applied i-cord. We hope you enjoy it!

How to Knit an Applied I-Cord

An applied I-cord is an edging technique that gives a nice smooth, rounded edge to your work. It can also be very pratical because it adds structure to the edge of a fabric that might otherwise tend to stretch out and it also keeps a stockinette edge from rolling to the purl side.

For this knitting technique, you need the following supplies:

• Two double pointed needles

• Yarn for your I-cord edge

• A knitted garment (or a swatch to practice on.)

Work as follows:

1. Cast on the number of stitches called for in your pattern and then pick up one stitch from the edge of the garment. Jeanne is using a 3 stitch I-cord plus one stitch that she has picked up on the edge of the swatch she's applying the i-cord to. So her complete i-cord will contain 4 stitches.

2. Start your I-cord by sliding your stitches back to the end of the needle where you started your cast on, then bring the working yarn across the back of the stitches and knit the first stitch that you cast on. Knit across until there is one stitch left making sure to pull the yarn tight on that first stitch.

3. When you get to the last stitch before the end of your needle, slip the stitch onto your right-hand needle, pick up a new stitch from the main body of your work, slip the last stitch back to your left-hand needle and knit the new picked up stitch together with this stitch.

4. Slide the work to the other end of the needle and repeat the above process as many times as is needed to complete the I-cord length you desire.

5. If your i-cord is applied to a straight edge, finish the i-cord by binding off normally. If your project has the i-cord completely around the edge you may need to graft the two ends together.

Posted by Laura of Jimmy Beans Wool