There is a very simple way to add a beautiful i-cord to the side edges of any project. I learned this method from Tom Michels who kindly shared this technique with me in a comment to one of my video tutorials.
We’ve already discussed a few ways to make i-cord edgings. One of those ways is described as “way #5” in a tutorial called “Five Ways to Make Neat Side Edges”. Another method is called “slim i-cord edging”. You can read about it when you follow this link.
Tom’s version of i-cord edging is much easier than any of those techniques. It is by far the easiest way to treat a side edge with a knit-as-you-go i-cord that I’ve ever tried. And I’m more than happy to share this amazingly simple method with all of you, my friends.
This edging is worked over three stitches. If you plan to add it to both sides of your project (for example, a scarf or a blanket), add 6 stitches to the number of stitches you cast on.
Then work the same three steps in every row.
Otherwise, simply follow the photo instructions below.
STEP 1
Knit the first 3 stitches – not together, but stitch by stitch.
After the first row, this step will feel a bit unusual because the yarn is not attached to the first stitch.
Ignore this oddity and wrap the yarn around the tip of the right needle as you usually do when you knit a stitch.
There is no need to pull the yarn tighter after you knit the first stitch.
After you finish a few rows, pull the edging sideways (away from the main fabric) and then pull it down. You will see that this little bit of extra yarn disappears.
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It happens because the yarn redistributes between stitches of the edge making them longer and ensuring that the edging is not too tight.
STEP 2
Work in a stitch pattern of your choice until you get to the last 3 stitches.
To show off this lovely edging, I’m using seed stitch (called moss stitch in the UK) in my swatch. It is more textured than stockinette and provides a better contrast to the sleekness of an i-cord.
STEP 3
Slip the last three stitches purlwise with the yarn in front of the work.
To do that, bring the yarn to the front of the work, then insert the tip of the right needle from right to left into the last three stitches (together or one by one) and take the left needle out of those stitches leaving them on the right needle.
That’s how simple it is. Repeat these steps in every row and the side edges of your project will turn into beautiful i-cords that look exactly the same on both sides of the fabric.
When it is time to bind off stitches, bind off the first three stitches as knits and the last three stitches as purls.
This type of edging works great with any stitch pattern, but it looks best next to textured stitches like garter stitch or seed stitch.
Because we don’t tighten the yarn after knitting the first stitch, the i-cord is long enough to comfortably frame any stitch pattern.
Free Mini-Course for You
To learn about other ways to keep side edges from curling,
take this free mini-course.
Helpful Reference Book
Getting side edges just right can be tricky. Neat Side Edges book describes twelve simple ways to make the process a lot easier for you.
Add it to your collection of helpful reference books.
SAVE IT FOR LATER
This and 44 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #5.
