An I-cord is a narrow tube of knit fabric made on two double-pointed needles

An i-cord (also called a idiot cord or icord) is a small, rope-like tube that you knit using just two double-pointed needles and a handful of stitches. Instead of turning your work at the end of each row the way you normally knit, you push the stitches to the other end of the needle and knit them again from the same side. This creates a seamless tube that looks finished on all sides.

The cord works because you never turn the needle. After you knit across, the working yarn is already on the right side of the fabric where you need it for the next row. The tube closes itself as you go, which is why i-cords look polished without any seaming.

I-cords are useful for drawstrings, button loops, edging on blankets, straps on bags, or as a decorative element on finished pieces. They take only a few minutes to make once you understand the motion, and they use very little yarn.

Key Takeaways

  • Cast on three to five stitches onto a double-pointed needle using your chosen yarn weight and needle size.
  • Knit across the row, then slide the stitches to the other end of the same needle without turning your work.
  • Bring the yarn across the back of the stitches and knit the row again from the same side.
  • Repeat this slide-and-knit motion until the cord reaches the length you need, then bind off normally.
  • The cord will naturally form a tube as you work, with no seaming required.

Cast on a small number of stitches

Start by casting on between three and five stitches onto one double-pointed needle. Three stitches makes a thin, delicate cord; four or five makes a thicker, more substantial one. Use the same needle size and yarn you would use for the project the cord will attach to, or go up one size if you want the cord to be slightly looser and more flexible.

Any cast-on method works, but a long-tail cast-on or cable cast-on gives you a neat edge to work from. If you are making a very long cord, you can also cast on using a provisional cast-on and graft the two ends together later to make a closed loop.

Knit the first row and slide without turning

Knit across all the stitches on your needle. Do not turn the work. Instead, slide the stitches to the other end of the same double-pointed needle so the working yarn is now at the left end of the needle (or whichever end you knit from).

This is the key move that makes an i-cord work. By sliding instead of turning, you keep the right side of the fabric facing you at all times. The stitches are now ready to be knit again from the same direction you just came from.

Bring the yarn across the back and knit again

Before you knit the next row, bring the working yarn across the back of the stitches from right to left (or left to right, depending on which end you are working from). You will see the yarn stretch across the back of the tube. This strand will eventually be hidden inside the tube as it grows.

Knit across the stitches again, pulling the first stitch snug so the yarn strand tightens and the tube closes. As you work, the tube will begin to form and look like a tiny rope.

Repeat the slide-and-knit motion until the cord is long enough

Continue sliding the stitches to the other end of the needle and knitting another row. Each time, bring the yarn across the back before you knit. The motion becomes automatic after a few rows, and you will develop a rhythm: knit, slide, bring yarn across, knit, slide, bring yarn across.

Keep going until the cord reaches the length you need. A drawstring for a bag might be 24 to 36 inches; a button loop might be only 2 to 3 inches. The cord grows quickly, so check your length often to avoid making it too long.

Bind off and finish the cord

When the cord is the right length, bind off using your standard bind-off method. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 4 inches, and pull it through the last stitch to find it. The cord is now complete and ready to use.

If you cast on with a provisional cast-on and want to close the cord into a loop, carefully unravel the provisional cast-on stitches onto a needle and graft them to the bind-off edge using Kitchener stitch. This creates a seamless loop with no visible seam.

Attach the i-cord to your project

If the cord is a drawstring or button loop, thread it through the casing or sew it to the edge of your finished piece. Use a tapestry needle and matching yarn to stitch it down, sewing through the center of the cord so the stitches do not show on the outside.

If the cord is an edging, you can pick up stitches along one side of the cord and knit them together with the edge of your main piece, or sew the cord to the edge after both pieces are finished. Either method works; sewing is often simpler if you are new to i-cords.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my i-cord looks twisted or uneven?

Unevenness usually means you are not pulling the first stitch tight enough after you bring the yarn across the back. Pull harder on that first stitch each row, and the cord will look smoother. A twisted cord often means the yarn is wrapping around the needle in the wrong direction; check that you are bringing it across the back, not the front.

Can I make an i-cord with circular needles instead of double-pointed needles?

Yes. Use the same technique, but work on a short circular needle (24 inches or smaller). Slide the stitches to the other end of the cable instead of to the other end of the needle. Some knitters find this easier because circular needles are less likely to drop stitches.

How do I make a thicker i-cord?

Cast on more stitches — five, six, or even seven — instead of three or four. You can also use a thicker yarn or larger needles. A thicker cord takes longer to knit but looks more substantial and is easier to handle when you attach it to a project.

What happens if I drop a stitch while making an i-cord?

Pick it up right away using a crochet hook or a spare needle. Because the cord is so small and you are working in stockinette stitch, a dropped stitch will unravel quickly if you do not catch it. If the stitch has already run down several rows, you may need to unravel back to that point and pick it up again.