I-Cord

I-cord is an easy to knit string made on 2 double ended needles.

The i-cord was rediscovered (or "unvented") by Elizabeth Zimmermann. She named it the i-cord because she believed it was so simple even an idiot could do it!

You will need:

yarn leftovers
2 x double ended knitting needles

Technique

Cast on a small number of stitches (between 2 and 5 works best).

Hold the needle so that the yarn is coming from the left most stitch.

Take the yarn across the back of the knitting.

Knit the right most stitch and pull the yarn tight. Knit across the rest of the row as normal.

Repeat until a knitted tube starts to form.

Variations

Once you have the hang of basic i-cord it's time to play. Below are some variations of i-cord that can be made by varying the number/pattern of stitches.

Plain – Cast on 2, knit i-cord
Plain – Cast on 3, knit i-cord
Plain – Cast on 4, knit i-cord
Knobbly – Cast on 2, purl i-cord
Knobbly – Cast on 3, purl i-cord
Spiral – Cast on 3, k3, p1 i-cord*
Spiral – Cast on 4, k3, p2 i-cord*
Curly – Cast on 3, k4, sl1, k2, sl1, k1 i-cord*^

* The instructions are worked over more than one row of i-cord. Keep repeating the pattern of stitches maintaining the count when the yarn is taken around the back.

^ The spiral is much less pronounced if a smooth, non-elastic yarn is used.

Links:

Lots of websites have guides to making i-cord.

For a step-by-step guide with lots of photos try:
Stitch Diva's How to Knit I-Cord.

For a video tutorial try:
Judy Graham's Making an I-Cord.

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