Woven I-Cord Fabrics

Note: Use stitch size 1-2 numbers higher than for plain stockinette.

Casting On: E-wrap cast on ndls 16-18 left of center zero. Set carriage for circular (knit in 1 direction and slip in the other) and work 40 rows I-cord (RC80). Following the same collumn of stitches, pick up edge of cord and hang on ndls 15 left to 15 right.

Working the Fabric: Begin COL. Knit 2 rows. Set carriage to hold ndls in HP. Hold all ndls except first 3 at left. Knit 41 rows stockinetteon these 3 ndls, ending COR. Remove the 3 stitches on a transfer tool, put empty ndls in NWP. Weave the cord (rolled stockinette) through the stitches as follows: Move tool past ndls 15-13. With a second transfer tool, remove the stitches from ndls 12-10 and hold slightly away from the bed. Pass the I-cord between these stitches and the bed.

Basket Weave Biased Weave

copyright 2011 Susan Guagliumi 1

Continue passing cord in front of next 3 stitches and then in front of following three stitches by removing stitches on transfer tool as before. At the right edge of fabric, place the cord stitches on the next 3 empty needles.

Set carriage to knit all ndls and knit to next repeat. Fot basket weave fabric, knit 4 rows between repeats and alternately work cord from right and left edge. For biased fabric, work 3 rows between repeats, always starting cord from the same edge. To reverse direction, work an even number of rows for one repeat.

Variations: (1) Cord can be worked as rolled stockinette or as true I-cord. (2) Number of stitches used to work the cord and/or number of stitches woven can be varried, depending on the transfer tools available. (3) The placement of the weave can stack up vertically, alternate as basket weave or proceed along a twill (diagonal) path. (4) Number of rows between repeats. (5) Chage color for cords and/or repeats. (6) Work longer or shorter cord lengths and then manipulate the cords by picking up and hanging on a needle above, knotting, etc. (7) Leave extra long loops at one edge to form button loops for closure.

I-Cord Bind Off:

COL, set to circular (knit 1 direction/slip the other) and to hold ndls in HP. Hold all ndls except first 3 on left. *Knit RC2.

Move stitch from 4th ndl to 3rd ndl

then movel all 3 sts over to fill empty space and put first ndl at left in NWP.** Repeat until only 3 sts remain. Gather off.

copyright 2011 Susan Guagliumi 2