{"id":15798,"date":"2022-01-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-13T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=15798"},"modified":"2023-06-20T13:31:49","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T20:31:49","slug":"how-to-knit-an-i-cord-edge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tincanknits.com\/?p=15798","title":{"rendered":"How to Knit an I-Cord Edge"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An i-cord bind off is a method for binding off that creates an attractive edge detail at the same time. This kind of edge is worked perpendicular to the final row of the work. Sometimes it’s used to finish a sweater neckline, shawl, or blanket – it can be used to finish any edge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We also have a tutorial that covers how to work a standalone i-cord<\/a>, and within our Beloved Bonnet tutorial, we included a description of how to work an i-cord edge alongside (parallel to) a piece of work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Setting up for an i-cord edge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First you will need to add the number of stitches that you want your i-cord edge to be (in width). I would suggest two, three, or four stitches. More than that might be too many to form a tidy i-cord; however, it will really depend on the weight of the yarn you’re working with. For a thicker yarn, try fewer stitches, and for a thinner yarn, try more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create these extra i-cord stitches using either the knitted cast-on method<\/a> (described below) or the backward loop cast-on<\/a> to add extra stitches on to the LH (left-hand) needle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Insert the RH (right-hand) needle into the first st on the LH needle ready to knit, and pull through a loop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Place this newly formed loop on the LH needle (one stitch cast-on).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you have cast on 2, 3, or 4 sts. You now have 2, 3 or 4 sts more than originally on your needles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Working an i-cord edge<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You are now ready to work the i-cord edge. For the purpose of clarity, I will assume you have cast on 3 additional stitches and are working a 3-stitch i-cord edge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. k2, k2tog-tb<\/span>l <\/strong>\u2013 With the working yarn and RH needle, knit the first two stitches on the LH needle. Then, using the last \u2018extra\u2019 stitch and one of the stitches from the edge, knit these two together through back loops (k2tog-tbl). You do this by inserting the RH needle tip into the backs of the two stitches, forming a loop aroung that RH needle tip with the working yarn, drawing that loop through, and then dropping the two stitches off the LH needle at once. This decreases a single stitch, resulting in one stitch ‘bound off’.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. slip 3 sts back to LH needle<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Next, you will slip the 3 stitches now on the RH needle back onto the LH needle, one at a time, starting with the last (decrease) stitch, then the previous one, and then the first of the three. Slip them without twisting the stitch. You want to keep the \u2018front\u2019 leg of the stitch in the front, rather than twisting the stitches. Now all stitches are on the LH needle once more, and one stitch has been bound off.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Repeat steps 3 and 4, drawing the working yarn across the back of the two stitches each time; this forms the i-cord edge. Each time you repeat these steps, you decrease one of the live stitches, effectively binding off a single stitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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