I used i-cord1 to make the strap at the top of my halter, and knit on i-cord with straps at the bottom. I-cord makes a comfortable firm strap and edge, it should wear well.
Now for “how to knit i-cord” instructions:
Use double pointed needles 2 diameter sizes smaller than for main project; this makes a firmer i-cord. I advise pulling the detached i-cord from time to time to fully stretch it before measuring.
- Knit a length of detached i-cord as follows:
- Cast on 3 stitches.
- Knit across row. Do not turn work. Put the right hand needle in your left hand.2
- **Slide stitches to right tip of the working (aka, left hand) needle; the yarn is on the left side. Pull yarn tightly behind work to let yourself knit the stitch on the right tip of the left needle; knit across row,** repeat from ** until the cord is the desired length.
- I advise yanking the cord from time to time to firm up the edge stitch and see the cool little tube you are making. Definitely yank before measuring, or you will end up with an extra long cord.
- Now begin working attached i-cord as follows:
- Slide the 3 i-cord stitches onto the circular needle holding the body stitches. All stitches are now on the left hand needle.
- Pull yarn firmly behind work, knit 2 stitches. Slip final i-cord stitch, slip body stitch, insert left needle into both stitches and knit together. (This final step seams the i-cord to the edge.3)
- Don’t turn work. Slip three stitches on right hand needle back onto left hand needle.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you have knit up all the body stitches; 3 stitches remain on needle. After a few rows, the work will appear as pictured above.
- Now, knit detached i-cord until the second cord is the desired length. Cut yarn and anchor stitches by pulling the yarn through the loops and yanking firmly. Tidy all loose ends.
I think you can tell the halter is almost finished. Tomorrow, the pattern generator and halter!
Notes:
1. “i-cord” or “i cord” are short for idiot cord. It got its name because, like an idiot, you don’t turn the needle when you work.
2. Really. Seriously. Don’t turn. Just put the right and needle in your left hand with the knit side still facing you. The free strand of yarn is on the left.
3. Tip: If you notice your i-cord rows are taller than the width of a stitch, and causing the edge to stretch longer than it should be, occasionally slip two body stitches and knit 1 i-cord stitch together with 2 body stitches. Or, use smaller needles. If you notice your i-cord rows are shorter than the width of a stitch, and drawing the edge in, use larger needles. You could skip knitting the i-cord with a body stitch from time to time, but that leaves a little gap. I think it’s best to avoid leaving gaps.
Please leave comments! 10 Comments
Stumble it (and place in Knitting/crochet!)10 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Previous posts: ( How to Knit a Casing | Home | Spring Break Heliotrope Halter)
Lucia Liljegren: Copyright 2005-2007 Rights to all site content including knitting patterns, generators and haikus reserved.
Spring Break Heliotrope Halter
Halter or cat toy?
Get your custom pattern for free by visiting the pattern page for my “Spring Break Halter”. The precoded sizes include childrens 2-16 and Misses’s 4-22. Men, don’t be disapponted! If you want a halter, I choose a Misses siz…
Trackback by The Knitting Fiend — 4/3/2005 @ 6:33 am
Hi Lucia. I was applying icord to a bonnet yesterday, and found that it looked a lot better when I applied it to the wrong side of my knitting (contrary to the instructions in the pattern). Do you have an opinion?
Comment by Lynne — 4/3/2005 @ 5:23 pm
I’ve never tried attaching from the wrong side. Mine looked nice. I did two experiments. First, I did a “k2tog” when I got to the Icord and body stitch. That looks bad
The Slip-slip-knit looks good.
But, I always have an opinion which is: It’s worth trying it several ways and deciding which way you like best. Now, I’m going to have to try your way!
Comment by lucia — 4/3/2005 @ 5:27 pm
[...] When the flaps came to a point, I broke the yarn and knit a second flap. Then I applied idiot cord; (see my halter to learn how to do this). Applying I-cord is a truly mindless knitting task, but when I was done, the trim looked good. So, I just wove in all ends, wet the hat and let it dry on a small bowl placed on top of a can of chicken stock. [...]
Pingback by The Knitting Fiend » Blog Archive » Ear Flap Hat Illustrated — 11/9/2005 @ 8:52 am
i think it is so easy but i tried several times with some of my friends but we can’t do it plz can u make more easier and attach some pictures thank u
Comment by heba — 12/19/2005 @ 5:37 pm
Hi Heba,
Which step is causing you difficulty? I tried to illustrate everything I could think of. So, I need to know what’s confusing you so I can add new text and photos sometime when I’m attaching icord again.
Comment by lucia — 12/19/2005 @ 8:57 pm
[...] I found a great top-down earflap hat pattern/tutorial at The Knitting Fiend that I used for the basis of the hat. I failed to take any in-progress photos of the hat construction, but I did get photos of the completed-but-bumpless hat. I also learned some new tips and techniques, including a waste-yarn cast on, [...]
Pingback by Easily Amused » Blog Archive » knit Katamari Damacy hat — 1/6/2006 @ 2:44 am
[...] Find an earflap point. Recall there were two stitches in the final “point” row of the earflap. Slide earflap stitches so the needle points are between the two stitches that create the “point” of the earflap. With knit side of hat facing you, slide the 3 I cord stitches onto the left needle tip. Begin to knit attached I-cord; to do this, you knit the first two I-cord stitches, then work an ssk to seam together the third I cord stitch to a hat stitch. ( You can see details of how to attach the I cord in my halter pattern. Also, if you worked any yarn over short row, you will eventually come across some yarn overs. Work yarn-overs and stitches together by working a “slip icord stitch, slip hat stitch, slip both stitches back to left needle, then knit 3 stitches together.”) Continue until you have knit the I-cord together with the first of the two stitches that creates the point of the earflap. Begin to knit detached I cord, and continue until the second cord is the same length as the first. Break yarn; anchor. Then, remove waste yarn and anchor the other I-cord edge. (Tip added 6/6/2006: When attaching over the sloping part of the earflaps, you may want to use thicker needles. MonkeyJunkie went up 3 sizes!) [...]
Pingback by The Knitting Fiend » Blog Archive » Spiral Top Hat: Calculator. — 1/6/2006 @ 3:38 pm
I just finished your Top Down hat with ear flaps. Looks fine, but I am somewhat confused with the i-cord. I made one, and attached it to the two point sts on the end of the ear flap, repeated with another cord for the other ear flap. Now, do I knit another i-cord to go around the circumference of the hat (front & back)picking up the “live sts” and continue attaching the cord around the ear flaps, short rows?
Comment by jennie usifer — 4/7/2006 @ 12:11 pm
[...] The Knitting Fiend [...]
Pingback by random threads » the distraction is revealed — 4/14/2006 @ 9:46 pm