Introduction: Knit Layered I-Cord Necklace

By Etsy Store
About: Community Manager for Instructables and Tinkercad.

After making my Spaghetti and Meatball Knit Scarf, I wanted to try something else with i-cords. I love jewelry so I thought I'd see what I can come up with. I ended up with this basic, but cute layered i-cord necklace. The cords are a bit of a pain to knit because you need the smallest knitting needles you can find (or at least, I could find at the time), but it's not too bad after you do it for a while.

Step 1: What You'll Need

Supplies:

I also strongly suggest having a thimble. My finger would have been really sore from making this if I hadn't used one. You can make a nice little leather one yourself with my tutorial :)

Step 2: Beginning Triangle

Let's get this necklace started! To begin, you just need your two double pointed knitting needles.

Directions

C/O 2

1 - 3) Knit 2
4) KfB K1 [3 stitches total]
5 & 6) K3
7) K1, KfB, K1 [4 stitches total]
8 & 9) K4
10) K1, KfB, K2 [5 stitches total]
11 & 12) K5
13) K2, KfB, K2 [6 stitches total]
14 & 15) K6
16) K2, KfB, K3 [7 stitches total]
17 & 18) K7
19) K3, KfB, K3 [8 stitches total]
20 & 21) K8
22) K3 KfB K4 [9 stitches total]
23 & 24) K9

Step 3: 1st I-Cord Strand

You should currently have 9 stitches on your double pointed needle.

Leave the 3 stitches on the end (with the working string) where they are on the needle, but take the other 2 sets of 3 stitches and put them on safety pins. I would suggest carefully sliding 3 stitches off and putting them immediately on a safety pin. Then do the next 3 stitches. Don't slide all 6 off at once or you might loose a couple.

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Now, you're going to work with the 3 stitches that are still on your double pointed needle. Begin stitching your i-cord.

The first 5 rows are going to be difficult because your stitches are so small and those safety pins are going to get in your way. Just hold on and once you get past those rows, it should be smooth sailing. Remember to give your i-cord a tiny tug after each row so they stitches stay nice and straight.

Stitch it as long as you want.

My first i-cord (which will be the shortest) is 13"(I held it up to my neck as a went to decide when it would be long enough. Remember that you will also have another triangle on the end of the necklace and jump rings. Those will both add length to the necklace.)

Step 4: Next 2 I-Cords

Now, take the i-cord you just finished trim the thread leaving about 6 inches, and slip those three stitches onto another safety pin.

You are going to use the next three stitches that are next to the i-cord you just stitched.

To make it easier to get started, use a tapestry needle and thread your working thread through the 3 stitches you are going to stitch next.

Carefully remove your stitches from the safety pin and slip them on your double pointed needle. Now you can tie a knot in your thread to hold it in place (tie this knot on the side you are going to consider your "back").

Begin stitching your next i-cord.

Stitch your second i-cord longer than your first.

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Repeat with your last 3 stitches/i-cord.

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Here are the lengths of my i-cord strands (blue necklace):

  • Short: 13"
  • Medium: 14.75"
  • Long: 16.5"

I didn't think my first necklace, the pink one, was spaced enough. For that necklace, I started with the short cord at 13" and only increased them by 1" between each cord (13" - 14" - 16").

Step 5: Combine Cords

Once you have all the cords the lengths you want, it is time to combine them and knit the last triangle.

Before you can knit, you need to get them back on the needle. Make sure you are keeping them in the same order or the necklace will be twisted. Put them on one at a time and try to organize them so the working thread is hanging off of one end. It will make it easier to start knitting again.

Step 6: Knit Final Triangle

Because you have three separate cords still, when you start knitting it is going to be a little confusing.

Start knitting across all the stitches. Once you finish the first three, you'll notice it comes apart from the other cords. That's because they are not combined yet, just keep knitting across and try to keep the three cords as close to each other as you can. Your second row will be easier, but still loose because only a single strand is holding each cord together. By the third row, things should be pretty normal when knitting.

My plan when knitting the end triangle was to simply go in reverse of my first. For some reason, all three times I tried this, going in reverse created a much taller triangle. To accommodate, I've taken out some rows. If you want, you can just do the first triangle in reverse, but if you end up with too big a triangle, you may need to go back and do this.

1 & 2) Knit 9

3) K3, K2TOG, K4

4 & 5) Knit 8

6) K3, K2TOG, K3

7 & 8) Knit 7

9) K2, K2TOG, K3

10 & 11) Knit 6

12) K2, K2TOG, K2

13 & 14) Knit 5

15) K1, K2TOG, K2

16) Knit 4

17) K1, K2TOG, K1

18) Knit 3

19) K2TOG, K1

C/O

Step 7: Hide Threads

Okay, leave the thread that is hanging off the end of each triangle. You are going to use those in the next step, but you want to get rid of the ones at the ends of the cords.

The strings should stay without knotting, so just take your tapestry needle and thread your excess strand through the center of your i-cord the best you can. You should just come out one of the sides after you've gone a half inch or so. Then, just trim the excess. Do this for all the threads except the ones at the top of the triangles.

Step 8: Attach Clasp

Now we are going to use the thread you left on the tips of the triangles to sew on your jump rings and clasp.

Attach your clasp to one of your jump rings before getting started.

Using your thread that is still attached to your triangle, sew on your jump ring. I sewed it so the jump ring opening is off to the side. I'm hoping this will prevent it from slipping of the threads.

Tie off your thread so your sewing doesn't come undone.

To make sure everything stays, optionally use fray check on your sewing and knot.

Let it dry and you'll be done.

Step 9: Try It On

Here is a look at the front and the back.

You can see the difference between the pink and blue necklaces. The pink one had only 1" difference between each strand. There is a 1.75" (almost 2") difference between the blue necklace strands.