How to Use the I-Cord KNITTER (Knitting Cord Tool)

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How to Use the I-Cord Knitter (Knitting Cord Tool)

Learn how to use the I-Cord Knitter machine for making knitted cords for all kinds of projects.

The I-Cord Knitter transforms one string of yarn into a weaved tube, also known as French Knitter, or spool knitting.

Make the knit tube as long as desired for whatever project you are making it for...check out my project here: How to Make Wire Word Art (Knit Wrapped Words DIY)

These yarn woven tubes can be used for all kinds of fiber art; wire word art, macrame, knitting projects or crochet projects and more.

Let's get started!

Supplies Needed for Making Knit Cord with the I-Cord Knitter:

Tulip I-Cord Knitting Machine (comes with machine, weight, and small crochet hook)
Yarn (lightweight and variegated)
Plastic Needle or Tapestry Needle

The yarn weight used in the i-cord knitting machine needs to be lightweight, like a sock weight yarn...not a thick and chunky knit.

If you are looking for a project to do with the yarn cord, check out this post here:

How to Make Wire Word Art (Knit Wrapped Words DIY)

BE SURE TO WATCH THE TUTORIAL VIDEO!

Supplies Needed for Making Knit Cord with the I-Cord Knitter: Tulip I-Cord Knitting Machine (comes with machine, weight, and small crochet hook) Yarn (lightweight and variegated) Plastic Needle or Tapestry Needle The yarn weight used in the i-cord knitting machine needs to be lightweight, like a sock weight yarn...not a thick and chunky knit. If you are looking for a project to do with the yarn cord, check out this post here: How to Make Wire Word Art (Knit Wrapped Words DIY) BE SURE TO WATCH THE TUTORIAL VIDEO!

Step 1: Threading i-cord KNITTER

Begin by pulling some yarn through the outside loop on the left side of the i-cord machine.

If you are left hand dominate, I'd still recommend doing it this way for ease of getting the cord knitting and then adapt from there.

Then insert the yarn into the center of the machine until it comes out of the bottom.

Step 2: Weight the Yarn

Slide the included weight onto the end of the yarn, this will hold the right tension for the loom knitting process.

Step 3: Hooking the Knitting Needle

Now use the included crochet hook and make sure all the big eye needles inside the machine are fully open.

Rotate the hand crank clockwise so that the yarn hooks into the first of the circular needles.

Continue turning the crank clockwise until the yarn is close to hooking into the second loop.

Then use the crochet hook to move the yarn behind the hook and skips the second hook.

Turn the crank slowly again and let the third hook catch the yarn properly like the first loop.

And then finally, let the yarn skip the last loop as well.

This sets up the yarn so it will pull tight and not unravel on this end of the knitted cord.

No slip knot or power tools needed.

(please ignore my burned hand)

And then finally, let the yarn skip the last loop as well. This sets up the yarn so it will pull tight and not unravel on this end of the knitted cord. No slip knot or power tools needed.

Step 4: Knitting Cord

Now continue rotating the crank clockwise with the weight dangling in the air from the yarn tail.

It works best to hold it off the edge of a table so the weight is always holding tension.

Have your left hand hold the yarn as it comes from the ball or skein of yarn, no additional tension needed.

Step 4: Knitting Cord Now continue rotating the crank clockwise with the weight dangling in the air from the yarn tail. It works best to hold it off the edge of a table so the weight is always holding tension. Have your left hand hold the yarn as it comes from the ball or skein of yarn, no additional tension needed.

Begin rotating the crank quickly and see the i-cord knitter begin making the knitting cord.

At this point you will be able to tell if the knitting is working properly and pushing the cord down the center...or if it's jamming.

If you experience yarn jamming or snagging...you are probably using too thick of yarn.

It should knit easily and smoothly.

Begin rotating the crank quickly and see the i-cord knitter begin making the knitting cord. At this point you will be able to tell if the knitting is working properly and pushing the cord down the center...or if it's jamming. If you experience yarn jamming or snagging...you are probably using too thick of yarn. It should knit easily and smoothly.

Step 5: Realign Weight

As you begin knitting, the weight on the tail end of the yarn will need to be adjusted.

Just press the button in and slide it all the way up the yarn to the base of the machine.

This will need to be done periodically to keep the tension tight on the yarn.

The tail of the yarn will spin and twist as it comes out of the weight and can make quite a tangle...so wrapping up the yarn and tying it with a hair tie is a good solution too.

As you are working, just stop when the weight gets close to the table or floor...and readjust the weight.

Step 6: Finish off the Cord

When you get to the desired length of cord, cut the yarn about 8 inches at the top of the machine and crank the wheel until the weight pulls the full cord through the device.

Now finish off the cord with the straight needles to keep it from unraveling.

Thread the end of the yarn into the eye of the needle.

There are four (4) loops of yarn that the needle needs to pass through.

I find it's easiest to thread all 4 loops on the needle and then slide the end of the needle through all 4 at once rather than one at a time, because it tightens the next loop as you go through it.

Here you can see the needle passed through 2 loops.

And then the third loop slipped onto the end of the needle.

Slide the needle through the four loops and when you reach the last loop, slide the needles through all 4 and the yarn will all lock in place tightly.

Now you have an awesome knitted cord!

There are so many different ways to use this finished product!

I love the look of the variegated yarn, they make the best cords.

You can also count a small number of stitches or rows while the machine is working and switch colors by simple knotting a new color of yarn on the current yarn color.

Now you have an awesome knitted cord! There are so many different ways to use this finished product! I love the look of the variegated yarn, they make the best cords. You can also count a small number of stitches or rows while the machine is working and switch colors by simple knotting a new color of yarn on the current yarn color.

I turned an entire skein of yarn into a knit cord and love it!

This thick and chunky cord will work great for drawstrings, hat ties, crafts and other fun knit projects.

This is the KING of easy ways to knit a cord.

Just getting past the first stitch and then cranking through the next row and really quickly you'll have an entire rope of yarn!

I turned an entire skein of yarn into a knit cord and love it! This thick and chunky cord will work great for drawstrings, hat ties, crafts and other fun knit projects. This is the KING of easy ways to knit a cord. Just getting past the first stitch and then cranking through the next row and really quickly you'll have an entire rope of yarn!

That's it!

Hope you learned how to use the I-CORD KNITTER to make knit cords and feel confident getting one of your own and knitting all kinds of cords for projects.

It's a tool I will use not all the time, but will be super glad I have it whenever I need a knit rope.

I love how easy it is to use, how little it jammed (as long as I am using lightweight yarn) and how fast it knits a tube!

Be sure to check out this post to see what I did with my knit yarn rope!

How to Make Wire Word Art (Knit Wrapped Words DIY)