I enjoy an I-cord edging but really don’t like it as a cast on or bind off in most pieces. I find it too restrictive.
If, however, it is added, applied, after the piece is finished, knit or crochet, it can move with the piece and have more applied as needed to get around corners, into dips and up slopes.
I have a pattern, that will be released next year, for a bandana that has both a crochet and knit version and has applied I-cord. Applied I-cord is simple to do in both crafts and doesn’t take extra tools. The crochet version you need something “pokey” like a spare knitting needle or even a tapestry needle will get the job done.
I have made videos of how to work applied I-cord in each of the crafts and I wanted to come in here and take that a step farther and share with you a swatch that you can make and then add your own I-cord to it. Below are the instructions for each swatch followed by its written instructions and link to the video tutorial for the applied I-cord.
CROCHET
Any smooth yarn will work for this. I recommend using something that is a solid, or nearly solid, color. This will make it easier to see where to pick up your I-cord stitches. You will need a hook to match the weight of the yarn that you have chosen and something “pokey” when it’s time for the I-cord. You can make the I-cord in the same color or in a different color. A different color will work best in the same weight yarn for this project. You will also need a light weight stitch marker.
Ch 11.
Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from hk and in each ch across. 10 sc
Rows 2-10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in the same st and in each st across.
Finish off and weave in the ends.
I-CORD
Insert the hk into the first st of Row 10, ch 4, place the marker in the lp on the hk, leave that lp on the hk. Pick up a st and leave it on the hk in each of the next 3 chs, insert the hk into the next st, YO and pull up a lp onto hk. 5 lps on hk
Pick up your pokey thing, sl the first 4 lps off of the hk and onto the pokey thing. Drop the lp with the stitch marker off of the hk and leave it where it is, we will work with it later.
*Insert your hk in the first lp, pulling the yarn snug but not overly so, YO and pull through the lp.
Insert the hk into the next lp, YO and pull through the lp.
Insert the hk into the next 2 lps, YO and pull through the 2 lps.
Insert the hk into the next st/row, YO and pull up a lp. 4 sts on hk
Sl the 4 lps onto the pokey thing.
Rep from * until I-cord edging is complete.
If you are to work around a point, work more row reps in each st/row than you have been.
Work all the way around your swatch and join the 2 ends if desired, leaving the end hanging.
If you aren’t working all the way around end with 4 lps on your hk. Transfer those lps to a stitch holder of some kind.
Go back to the ch lp with a stitch marker in it. Remove the marker and place the lp on your hk. You will now ch towards the held 4 sts using the strands in the back that sort of look like ladder rungs. This will snug things up in the front.
The 4 sts on hold, place them onto the hk.
If you have chosen to work all the way around the piece, you can now use an end to join these live lps to opposite side of the beginning ch.
If you have chosen to work only part way, *YO, draw through 2 lps on hk, rep from * until 1 lp remains.
Insert the hk in the same st/row/rnd as last picked up st, YO and draw through.
Finish off or save the lp to continue your piece.
Weave in ends and block.
KNIT
Any smooth yarn will work for this. I recommend using something that is a solid, or nearly solid, color. This will make it easier to see where to pick up your I-cord stitches. You will need needles to match the weight of the yarn that you have chosen and a possibly a spare needle of the same size when it’s time for the I-cord; more on that later. You can make the I-cord in the same color or in a different color. A different color will work best in the same weight yarn for this project.
Using any desired cast on, you will be picking up in it, cast on 10 sts.
Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: Purl across.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until the piece is square.
Bind off all sts.
Cut yarn and weave in ends.
I-CORD
Join the new color in any of the bound off sts by inserting the giving needle and pulling up a lp, CO 4 sts to the giving needle. 5 sts on needle
K3, K2tog, pick up and K in the next st/row, sl all sts back to the giving needle. 5 sts on needle
Rep this row until I-cord is complete.
If you are to work around a point, work more row reps in each st/row than you have been.
If it looks like a big hole being made, work just a little past it before trying to repair it. Often the fabric will fix itself. I know in the second photo t here is a big hole in the upper left of the piece. I went too far down when I was picking up my stitch, but the upper part looks nice.
When you work your last row, end with K2tog. There will 4 sts on the receiving needle.
Sl these sts back to the giving needle.
K the sts together as one, finish off.
If you have questions please feel free to comment below or email me sara @ azariahs fibre arts .com (remove spaces).
Happy Making!