What an I-Cord Is and Why You Need It
An i-cord is a thin, hollow tube of knitted fabric that looks like a piece of string or rope. The name comes from its shape — it looks like the letter "I" when you cut it in half lengthwise. You use i-cords to edge blankets, bind the edges of garments, make drawstrings, create handles for bags, or knit decorative trim.
The cord is fast to make once you know the method, and it uses up small amounts of leftover yarn. Most i-cords are made on just two or three stitches, so you can finish one in an afternoon. The technique works the same way whether you are using thin fingering-weight yarn or thick bulky yarn.
Key Takeaways
- An i-cord is made by casting on two or three stitches, knitting every row without turning your work, and sliding the stitches back to the needle tip after each row.
- You need only a small amount of yarn, two double-pointed needles or a circular needle, and the ability to knit a basic knit stitch.
- The cord grows in a tube shape because you always knit from the same side and the working yarn pulls the edges together as you work.
- A finished i-cord can be sewn onto a garment edge, threaded through eyelets, or used as a standalone drawstring or handle.
Cast On Two or Three Stitches
Start by casting on either two or three stitches onto one of your needles. Two stitches makes a very thin, delicate cord. Three stitches makes a slightly thicker, sturdier cord that holds its shape better. For your first i-cord, use three stitches and a yarn weight that is straightforward to see — worsted weight or bulky weight works well.
Use any cast-on method you already know. Long-tail cast-on and cable cast-on both work fine. The cast-on edge will be hidden inside the cord, so the method does not matter as long as you can cast on loosely enough to knit into the stitches without struggling.
Knit Every Stitch Without Turning
Knit across all three stitches. Do not turn your work. This is the key difference from regular knitting — you always work from the same side of the needle. After you knit the last stitch, your working yarn will be at the right end of the needle.
Now slide all three stitches to the other end of the same needle (or to the other tip if you are using a circular needle). The working yarn should still be attached to the last stitch you knitted. Bring the yarn around the back of the needle and knit across all three stitches again, still without turning.
Repeat this step — slide the stitches, bring the yarn around the back, and knit across — over and over. After the first few rows, you will see the tube shape forming as the edges curl inward and the working yarn pulls them together.
Tools You Need
You can knit an i-cord on double-pointed needles or on a circular needle. Double-pointed needles are the traditional choice — use needles that are one or two sizes smaller than the needles you would normally use for your yarn weight. If you are using worsted weight yarn, size US 6 or 7 double-pointed needles work well.
A circular needle also works and is easier for many people because the needle is less likely to slip out of your stitches. Use a circular needle that is at least 16 inches long, though 24 inches is more comfortable. The cord will be small enough that you will not need the full length of the cable.
You need only a small amount of yarn — a single ball of yarn can make dozens of i-cords. Keep the working yarn fairly loose as you knit so the cord does not become stiff and difficult to bend.
How Long to Keep Knitting
Keep sliding and knitting until your cord reaches the length you need. Measure it against the edge you plan to attach it to, or measure it against a ruler if you are making a drawstring or handle. The cord will stretch slightly when you pull it, so knit it a little shorter than your final measurement — about half an inch shorter is usually right.
If you are making a drawstring for a bag or garment, measure the opening and add 4 to 6 inches so you have enough length to tie a knot or weave the ends in. If you are edging a blanket, measure the edge you plan to attach it to and add 2 inches for seaming.
Bind Off and Finish the Ends
When your cord is long enough, cut the yarn, leaving a tail about 6 inches long. Pull the tail through all the stitches on your needle to bind them off. Pull the tail tight so the stitches do not unravel.
Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and weave it through the last few rows of the cord to hide it inside the tube. Do the same with the cast-on tail at the other end. Trim any remaining yarn close to the cord.
If you are using the cord as an edge or trim, you can sew it onto your garment using the tapestry needle and matching yarn. If you are using it as a drawstring, thread it through the eyelets or casing and tie the ends together or weave them into the fabric.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
If your cord is coming out flat instead of tubular, you are probably turning your work between rows. Remember: slide the stitches to the other end of the needle and knit from the same side every time. The tube shape will not appear until you have knitted at least 10 or 12 rows, so do not worry if it looks flat at first.
If your cord is too loose or too tight, adjust the tension of your working yarn as you knit. Tighter tension makes a firmer cord; looser tension makes a softer, more flexible cord. If the cord is so tight that it is hard to knit, use needles one size larger. If it is so loose that it looks sloppy, use needles one size smaller.
If you drop a stitch, pick it up with a crochet hook and pull the working yarn through it, just as you would in regular knitting. Because the cord is so small, it is straightforward to see where the dropped stitch is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I knit an i-cord on regular straight needles?
No. Straight needles have a stopper on one end, so you cannot slide the stitches from one end to the other. You need either double-pointed needles or a circular needle so both ends are open and pointy.
What yarn weight works best for i-cords?
Any weight works, but worsted weight and bulky weight are easiest for beginners because the stitches are large and straightforward to see. Thinner yarns like fingering weight make very delicate cords but are harder to work with because the stitches are small.
How do I attach an i-cord to the edge of a blanket or garment?
Thread a tapestry needle with matching yarn and sew the cord to the edge using a whip stitch or mattress stitch. Sew through the bumps on the back of the cord and through the edge stitches of your garment. The seam will be nearly invisible if you match the yarn color.
Can I make an i-cord with more than three stitches?
Yes, but it will no longer be a true i-cord — it will be a flat strip instead of a tube. If you want a thicker cord, use thicker yarn or cast on three stitches and knit with two strands of yarn held together.
What do I do if I run out of yarn before the cord is long enough?
Tie a new length of yarn to the working yarn using a square knot, trim the ends close, and keep knitting. The knot will be hidden inside the cord. Alternatively, you can weave the old yarn end into the cord and start knitting with the new yarn, though this takes a bit of practice.