Tag Archive | iCord

Yarning with a “Knitting Nancy” spool

Oct14

Using a knitting nancy or spool knitting is a great tool/technique to introduce a youngster to the wonders of yarn.   It is a very easy yarn method to create a nice knitted or braided cord that could be designed for bracelets, trivets, coasters, etc.  It is really an awesome technique that anyone would find fun to do!! SONY DSC

I have actually recycled a thick cardboard thread spool that formally held 1200 yards of mercerized cotton thread for machine quilting by Coats and Clark.  The spool is 1″ in diameter with the opening being 1/2″ in diameter.  The length of the spool is 2  3/4″ long.  I like this size because it fits a child’s small hand really well.  You can purchase knitting spools too.

I hammered in four brads using ones that had a large flat head to them.  It helps to keep the yarn from sliding off the brad when making your loops.  Once you have your spool ready, select your yarn.  I would recommend using a 4 ply worsted weight yarn and a metal crochet hook size 5 (1.90mm).

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To begin, take your yarn and drop it through the hole and let it hang out about 2 or 3 inches from the bottom.  Now to “cast” on your loops, you will be turning the spool in a clockwise direction but going around each brad in a counter-clockwise direction one at a time.

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After you have made your loop on each brad, you take your yarn and place it right above the first loop made and with your crochet hook, lift the bottom loop up and over the yarn and brad.  Leaving one loop on the brad.  Spin your spool in your hand slightly and do that same thing again on the next brad.  Keep turning the spool in your hand, make another yarn wrap and continue lifting the bottom loop up and over the top yarn on each brad.  Before you know it, you will have a great icord, braided loop or “cattail” coming out of your spool at the bottom.

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Now just keep making your loops until you have your “tail” as long as you want it to be.  Once you have reached the desired length, you will need to bind off your work from the knitting spool.

When you are ready to “cast off” don’t make a yarn wrap, just grab the loop of the last stitch made and lift it onto the brad to its immediate left.  Lift the bottom loop over that loop, now grab the remaining loop left on that brad and lift it onto the brad to its immediate left.  Continue doing this until you only have one loop left on the last brad.  Cut your yarn and carefully lift the last loop off the brad and place your cut yarn through the last loop and pull snuggly securing all your stitches.  Now you have a wonderful knitted tube that can be used for a wide variety of creative projects!!

I have discussed this technique before but have updated my pictures to help you see the process better!! 🙂

HAPPY CREATING!!

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Crochet iCord

Mar26

Knowing how to make a crochet iCord is another great technique to have within your stitch file.  It is a pretty simple repeat stitch pattern and you will find many uses for an iCord for your clothing, accessories, appliques, etc.

The basic concept is working with three chain stitches to form a tube.  So to begin you would crochet three chains stitches, then insert your hook in the second chain from hook, yarn over (yo) and pull through loop.  Repeat this step in the third chain from hook.

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chain from hook

Made 3 chains, ready to insert into 2nd n 3rd chains from hook

3 loops on hook, ready to begin making iCord

3 loops on hook, ready to begin making iCord

Now you want to slide off the first two (2) chains from your hook onto another holder like a knitting needle, chop stick, or a large tapestry needle.  I personally have success using a bamboo knitting needle.

Sliding on to your holder, knitting needle

Sliding on to your holder, knitting needle

Two stitches on holder and one one crochet hook

Two stitches on holder and one on crochet hook

 

 

 

 

 

 

Once you have those two chains placed on your holder, you will begin making a chain stitch (*yo and pull through the loop) with the remaining loop on your crochet hook.  Now slide your 1st chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, make a chain stitch (*) and then slide your 2nd chain stitch loop back onto your crochet hook, and again make a chain stitch (*).

YO ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook

Ready to make 1st chain with loop on hook, YO pull through loop

Sliding 2nd chain back onto crochet hook

Sliding 1st chain stitch loop back onto crochet hoo

You just keep repeating this process until your cord is the length that you want.  To fasten off, just do a yarn over and pull through the three loops on your hook, now cut your yarn and pull it through the last remaining loop on  your hook.

First row completed

First row completed

You can create different size iCords by varying your yarn weight and hook size.

Various sizes of iCords you can make

Various sizes of iCords you can make

 HAPPY CREATING!!

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links – “small commission earned”