how to crochet an i-cord

October 20, 2010 @ 10:59 am · Filed under Crochet, Tutorials

Have you ever tried to crochet a really tiny tube or cylinder? I find that single crocheting in a ring with 5 stitches is challenging enough; let alone trying to make a 4-sc cylinder, or, almost impossibly, a 3-sc tube.

Knitters are lucky; they have a great way to make a very fine tube – it’s called an i-cord and it’s really easy to knit up on dpns (if you knit). But I have great news for you: you can also make i-cord using your crochet hook!

how to make a crocheted i-cord by planetjune

It’s very simple once you get the hang of it, and it’s an easy way to make fine tubes, as long as you like. You can use i-cord in amigurumi, as trim, or even to make bag handles. It’s versatile and works up quickly.

Note: you can also make a wider i-cord tube, by starting with more chains and dropping all but one loops off the hook. I’d recommend you don’t go too wide though, as it’s easier to accidentally pull out one of the dropped loops when you have more of them in play. I’d recommend you stick with a 3-ch or 4-ch crocheted i-cord. For anything wider than that, make a sc spiral (or learn to knit it on double pointed needles).

The easiest way to explain it is to show you, so I’ve made a video showing how to crochet an i-cord. And because I’m nice like that, I’ve done right-handed and left-handed versions.

Crochet an i-cord (right-handed)

Crochet an i-cord (left-handed)

See – it’s easy!

If you’d like to practice crocheting i-cord, I’ll have a new pattern that uses this technique available in a few days…

Permalink

74 Comments »

Stacey Sprandel said

February 16, 2013 @ 7:47 pm

Maybe I missing something here…When I practice this technique, my attempts end up being a short curving 3 stitch cloth rather than a tube. Even in the tutorial video I noticed that you are going back in forth in rows, so how and when does the project become a tube?

June said

February 17, 2013 @ 3:26 am

Stacey, if I were going back and forth in rows, I’d go into stitch 1, 2, 3, then back in the other direction: 3, 2, 1. Instead, I drop loops 2 and 3 after each row so I can work in a spiral, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3. Between stitch 3 and stitch 1, you pass the yarn behind the work from the end of the row to the start to begin the next row – that’s how the tube is formed. As the stitches are held on your hook in a row, not a loop, you can’t see the effect occurring until you’ve made several rows, so try making 10 or so, and if you still can’t see the tube forming, you must be doing something wrong.

Reply
arwa said

April 5, 2013 @ 12:25 pm
I think I know what Diane means, I dont think that this technique gives a “closed” tube, instead, the piece will be curvy enough from the two sides to look like a tube. this is how it looks also in the video. i followed exact steps and the result is as i explained unless i am missing something as well

Reply
arwa said

April 5, 2013 @ 12:31 pm
after a few rows, the yarn that connects stitch 1 to stitch 3 will tighten a bit and the tube will become closed.
the technique is amazing

Reply

Diane said

February 28, 2013 @ 12:05 am

What kind of yarn are you using? I haven’t got this worked out quite yet. I think it may be the yarn, which is sort of splitty. Thank you! Can’t wait to get this down.

June said

March 1, 2013 @ 1:45 am

I agree; I’m sure splitty yarn would make this technique far more difficult! I used Red Heart Soft yarn in this demo, but I’ve also made i-cord with all the different worsted weight acrylics that I use for my amigurumi and I’ve never had any problems with the yarn splitting.

Reply

Barbara said

April 1, 2013 @ 3:35 pm

Thank you for your demonstration. I found it very clear to understand.

Barbara Tschudy said

April 10, 2013 @ 7:51 pm
Hi:
I am amazed with this i-cord. It was a little tricky at first especially remembering to Chain 1 before you insert your hook into loop 2. Thanks so much for this new way to do i-cord. I like the way it looks. I am making a headband with it I like it so much. Your website is like the greatest too.
Thanks so much for all your tips
Barbara

Reply

C said

May 6, 2013 @ 7:40 pm

Thank you so much for the technique, I wanted something similar to the French knitting cord and this is perfect.
And it’s so simple too
With regard to the comments above, they must be missing something out as by the 4th round I was already noticing a “closed” tube forming and I’ve used all kinds of yarn, even the cheap variety and it all works perfectly.