Craft an Innovative I-Cord Needle Cozy
September 4th, 2008 in patterns & designs, knitting
Tina Hilton, contributor
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Convert an unused gauge swatch into a delightful needle case.
Photo: Tina Hilton
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DIGGDesign your own incredible needle case with leftovers from past projects. Are you the type of crafter who never throws anything away? You are in luck! Here is a great way to transform gauge swatches you’ve been saving and a few simple I-cords into a standout knitting needle case. I incorporated the entrelac swatch I created for my blog post on August 7 with I-cord made with extra yarn to craft a needle case that is totally unique. If you don’t have any swatches, you could whip one up for this project or cut up one of your felted thrift-store sweaters to use as the case. Either way, I bet your friends will want one, too.
Supplies
• Knitting gauge swatch (my entrelac swatch measures 6 inches wide x 4.5 inches tall)
• Scrap yarn for the I-cord
• Coffee stir straws (straws I used fit size 1 dpn needles) or straws to fit the needle size you desire (flexible vinyl tubing will also work)
• Knitting needles, either circular or dpn to make the I-cord (I used size 1 [2.25mm])
• Tapestry needle
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I used an entrelac gauge swatch, but you could use any swatch on hand or knit up a new piece to accommodate the needle size you choose. |
Step by Step
I-cord (make 5): Cast on 5 stitches and knit to the end. Slip stitches to the opposite side of the needle and pull yarn from the other side and knit the 5 stitches.
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To maintain an even tube structure, pull the yarn snugly from the other side. |
I-cord is essentially knitting in the round on a tiny scale and you are creating an actual tube. Make the I-cords at least 7 inches long. I made my five I-cords in a variety of sizes and colors, but feel free to make yours all the same length and/or color if that look pleases you.
Felting: To soften the edges of the entrelac and the I-cords, I felted them a little bit, which imparted a softer, blended look. Actually I was hoping that the I-cord would felt into an impermeable tube, but when I inserted the needles, they poked through the sides.
I-cord liners: While I was sitting on an airplane drinking bad coffee, it dawned on me that the stir straw may be my answer. I slid it in the I-cord tube, and it fit in perfectly.
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Inserting a rigid core prevents the needles from poking out of the I-cord. |
Better yet, the size 1 dpns fit inside the straws like it was custom made. For larger needles, try different size straws, or better yet, visit your home improvement or craft store and check out the various diameters of clear vinyl tubing they carry. Make sure that the rigid lining you choose is just slightly bigger in diameter than the needles you will be carrying. You want them to just fit so that they stay snug and do not easily slip out.
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Three-part harmony: I-cord, straw, and needle. |
I-cord tie (make 1): Cast on 3 stitches and create your I-cord to a length that will allow you to wrap around your case and tie securely. Mine is 17 inches long.
Finishing
To prevent the straw from sliding down into the I-cord, take a stitch or two with matching yarn at the bottom of the straw.
Lay your swatch wrong side up and position the I-cord holders on the case.
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Line up the I-cord evenly at the top. |
Thread a large tapestry needle with matching yarns (I used four strands), and run the needle through the back of the case at the bottom right edge of where your needles are positioned to anchor the thread. Take a few stitches of the backside of each of the I-cord needle holders from right to left to secure them together in a neat row.
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Take a few stitches through the back of the I-cords to hold them in place. |
Take an anchor stitch on the bottom left.
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Anchor the holders in place with a tack stitch. Be careful not to go through the front of the case. |
Take the threaded needle and weave over and under the five I-cord tubes and take a tack stitch.
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Weave the yarn over and under the I-cord, making sure not to twist the yarn. |
Reverse direction and weave under and over the tubes to the opposite side, and make that tack stitch there, too. Repeat the weaving back and forth until you reach the top. Make a secure tack stitch and cut the threads. Secure the I-cord tie to the back of the case with a couple of stitches.
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From the back it looks like an undersea creature! |
Make use of the inside flaps of the case to store handy notions like an extra tapestry needle, stitch markers, or whatever your project dictates.
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Use it as a handy accessory caddy, too. |
I’d love to see what you all have created. If you are a member, log in and post a photo of your creation. If you are not a member yet, register and become a CraftStylista today!
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