Tuesday Learn To Knit Day 14 - The I-Cord

Hello My Dear Students,

I know I didn't really come back and teach you new things the next week like I said I would, I got incredibly busy and these lessons fell by the wayside.  I know.  For Shame.  I apologize profusely and hope to get these back on track. 

This week, we're learning the I-cord.  I was teaching my friend how to knit this the other night and knew that I must show you all! The I-cord is used for a variety of things including straps on bags and various embellishments.  It is also good for knitting jewelry and those sorts of things.

Basically, knitting an I-cord is knitting in the round on a very small scale.

You will need two double pointed needles and whatever yarn you are using.

First, cast on probably 3 or 4 stitches (the more stitches, the thicker the I-cord.  Many patterns call for a specific number, so I'll leave that to them and give you the basics).

Instead of knitting on the side that the last cast on stitch is on, you will slide the stitches to the other end of the needle and knit the first cast on stitch first, instead of the last.

Continue with the rest of the stitches on the needle and when you complete the row, slide the stitches back to the other side of the needle (I hear making the type-writer sound "Ching" while doing this makes it easier ;))

Continue in this fashion until the I-cord is as long as desired and bind off.

If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, please feel free to let me know :)

Flashback Friday - Its as Easy As...

Riding a Bike.

I was about 5 in this picture. Learning how to ride my first bike complete with streamers and training wheels on the open road. Bike riding is not my strong point, I don't know why, its just something that I've never really been too good at. Just ask my family! It didn't matter where we were, what we were doing, where we were going, I would always, without fail, find the nearest tree and beeline for it. Perhaps in a previous life I was comparable to Lance Armstrong and this time they (whoever 'they' may be, the people who decide this stuff?) just didn't want me to have any bicycling skills. These days my cycling is limited to a 50 year old one-speed cruiser that my Dad helped me fix up :) (And by 'helped me fix up' I mean he took the bike and brought it back ridable, Thanks Dad!) her name is Chrissy, isn't she cute? You can see more pictures and read more about her here and here.

Want to participate in Flashback Fridays? Check out christopherandtias blog!