How to Make and Use I-Cord

I’ve probably mentioned that I’m teaching some fiber arts classes for kids this summer, and one of the projects we are going to tackle is making spool knitters and making knit cord.

Of course you can do the same thing with knitting needles, and it’s called I-cord (check this tutorial from Nemcsok Farms for the details if you don’t know how) and you can do the same sorts of things with your finished cords regardless of how you made them.

But what exactly can you do with knit cord?

Knitting-and has a list of 101 uses for knit cord (that actually only has 35 items), from holding two mittens together to making a coiled basket from a really long piece.

The cool thing about it is that you can make it different shapes to form words and images that can be applied to knitting or, if you string a wire through the cord, can stay in shape on their own.

You can braid lengths of it together to make a bracelet or a headband, which is probably one I will do with the kids. Or you can make one long piece and make a wrap bracelet.

Need more ideas? I found two great Pinterest boards on the subject of using I-cord: I-cord Ideas and Knitted I-cord Uses (love the Celtic knot keychain linked there!).

Do you have fun uses for knit cords? I’d love to hear them!

Looking for more Knitted Headband Patterns? Check these patterns out on Etsy. Headbands are a great gift idea as they knit up fast and are well received by friends and family. Everyone loves wearing Knit headbands right?

Next Pattern:

Some knitters have trouble coming up with projects they can both knit and wear when it’s warm outside. Especially if you’re not ready for garments (thought tank tops and summer tops are great first garment projects!) it might seem like there’s nothing to do when it’s hot outside.

One way to remedy this situation is by knitting headbands. Headbands are great any time of year to keep hair out of your face and make you look a little more pulled together without any effort. Wider headbands double as ear warmers when it gets colder, but skinnier ones are great throughout the year.

A couple of great examples are from designer Elly Donner, who has a set of headband knitting patterns on Ravelry you can buy individually or as an ebook. Homebody, shown here, is worked in garter stitch (the ties are crocheted but you could also use I-cord), while Slipstream uses slipped stitches and garter ridges, and Sounds of Spring has little cables. The patterns use DK weight yarn and are a great way to use a little leftover yarn from another project.

I also recently came across the lovely Plush Braided Headband by Yevgeniya Li. A free pattern on Ravelry, this wider design is covered in lush cables for a sleek and fancy look. It uses worsted weight yarn and you can customize the length for a perfect fit.

Celeste Knitwear’s Spikelet is a simple twisted headband with columns of eyelet lace to keep it from being too heavy. It’s worked flat and sewn together to make the twist, and uses DK weight yarn. It has three sizes available.

This skinny lace headband from Lusi Knits is another cute choice. It calls for fine weight cotton yarn, but you could use heavier yarn if you have it on hand to make a wider headband (or use any fine yarn you have available). It uses ties to customize the fit.

And if you want to go super basic but still really cute, try the easy ring headband from Lulu Pattern. The sample is knit pretty wide, but you could make a narrower version if you want, and the little ring turns it from a plain loop into a bow with very little extra work. It calls for worsted weight yarn but you could also use whatever weight you like for this one to change up the look and size.

Next Pattern:

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