Drawstrings

[Nada]

I was looking for a link a few weeks ago to the braided drawstrings thread that came up a couple months ago. There was a great link to how to make them and I can't find it. The search capability doesn't go that far back I guess.

Can someone help me find it?

TIA!

Nada :love

[hunnybumm]

:eyes

I am always looking for ideas on how to make a drawstring. I swear I am I-cord challenged. I just do a series of slip knots but it isn't very consistant and a PITA.

[pageta]

I double the yarn and do a crochet chain. It is about as thick as an I-cord done on small needles. I like the cord to be thick because it doesn't "cut" them so much when you tie it. It takes a ton of yarn - I always start crocheting on the end with the tails and then I end up adding another piece and looping it through the loop to make it continuous (my double strand is one piece folded in half).

[Nada]

Oh, and also, I'd be interested in knitting up an I-cord. How long does one generally take to make? Are there any good links to sites to show you how to make them?

Thanks!!

Nada :love

[ravingcutie]

To make i cord:

CO 3-4 stitches on a circ or dpn.

Knit across.

Slide stitches to opposite end of needle, pull yarn taught across the back and knit across.

Repeat!

I crochet a chain about 1 1/2 times the circumference of the waist and then slip stitch every stitch, using a small hook. This gives the cord more stability.

I've been wanting to try a 4 strand braid from Epstien's Embellishments book.

[Nada]

To make i cord:

CO 3-4 stitches on a circ or dpn.

Knit across.

Slide stitches to opposite end of needle, pull yarn taught across the back and knit across.

Repeat!

I crochet a chain about 1 1/2 times the circumference of the waist and then slip stitch every stitch, using a small hook. This gives the cord more stability.

I've been wanting to try a 4 strand brain from Epstien's Embellishments book.

How long does it take to knit an I-cord?

Nada

[Ruth]

Seems like forever, I prefer the crochet method Katie described above.

[ravingcutie]

A while. Depends upon how fast you knit. It's a lot like knitting a circular swatch - only you pull the yarn tight across the back so that it forms a tube. Pretty tedious. I prefer the crochet method. I'm so bad about being motivated to make the drawstrings....

[twobeauties]

Personally, I love I Cord drawstrings and use that method for my soakers.

look at this tool: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/images/lacis/knitmach.jpg

I don't have one, but I wonder how consistent it is in the stitches.

http://knittinghelp.com/knitting/advanced_techniques/ (9th example from top) . Amy demonstrates via video on how to make an I Cord:)
HTH

[Lavenderlane]

I love twisted cords for drawstrings. :bigups: http://knittingatknoon.com/twcord.html

It literally takes a minute to do them and they look very nice!!

[stormintheattic]

look at this tool: http://www.mielkesfarm.com/images/lacis/knitmach.jpg

I don't have one, but I wonder how consistent it is in the stitches.
HTH

I have this exact one, love it to bits (sometimes literally....putting it back together is hellish). Its not exactly suitable for worsted weight or heavier but it still works if you are gentle enough. Stitches are perfectly even.

[twobeauties]

Stitches are perfectly even.

Fancy that. I would have never guessed. I thought I saw another one around, but couldn't find it in my searches.

[amyrobynne]

I do a square 4-strand braid as described here: http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/braids/4square.htm

[imonion]

I was using a knitting knobby for a while, but hated it and now am back to knitting i-cords. i hate making them and have to make 3 for soakers because ofthe 2 i make for legs.

[meco]

I personally prefer i cord, but it takes me forever. :D

It bores me so I stop and go on and on

[pamelamama]

I've got the little machine too!

[hunnybumm]

I saw that machine and thought about getting one. I HATE I-cords and mine always look wonky, I can't get the stitches to be even, and it just looks bad and takes forever. I also tried braiding, and that just doesn't work for me with yarn. I can braid hair, I can french braid, and I am pretty sure I can still fish braind (4 strands), but I can't do it with yarn. The end pieces end up in their own braid and I have to untangle them every few seconds. I am going to try the twist with the next soaker I finish.

[Nada]

I tried to order one of those machines a while back but the shipping on the $14.99 thing was going to be $16.95!!! So I decided against it. I want one.

Nada :mope

[Jewel]

I like the i-cord, it does take forever but I personally like the look of it and I think it is more comfortable for the baby.

[Ruth]

Gena, you could use 4 little bobbins and then your ends wouldn't tangle - you know the kind you get for intarsia?

[mamaspeak]

I'm very much a soaker-knitting newbie, but I just cast on a lot of stitches and then cast off on the next row. It's working pretty well so far. I think I got the idea from a baby knitting book, which suggested it for bootie ties. I'm scared of i-cord!

[amyrobynne]

Oo, I like that bobbin idea--thanks!

[meco]

mamaspeak, do you have a pic? I would love to see what it looks like :)

[dcsharpe]

I'm very much a soaker-knitting newbie, but I just cast on a lot of stitches and then cast off on the next row. It's working pretty well so far. I think I got the idea from a baby knitting book, which suggested it for bootie ties. I'm scared of i-cord!

I wondered about that but I haven't tried it yet because of how many stitches would have to fit on the needle. I would like to see one too. I am very lazy when I get to the end and I want to finish up fast so I go with the twisted cord. :dance :dance :dance :dance