I CORD STARTING CAST ON
This method is a good one if you are struggling with the other two techniques, or are having trouble keeping the stitches on your needles.
Using waste yarn and DPNs the same size as your project needles, cast on the required number of sts using the long-tail cast-on method.
*Knit across all sts, then slide sts to the right-hand side of the working needle without turning work.
Repeat step 2 until the i-cord measures 1-2cm. You can choose now whether to distribute the stitches evenly onto a set of DPNs, or work a few increase rows first to make this a bit easier (see tip box below).
Change to the main project yarn and work across all stitches. This will become your first pattern round.
Split the stitches evenly over two DPNs. Work the next couple of rounds over two needles only, working across the front needle, turning and then working across the back (now front) needle.
Continue this way until enough stitches have been increased to make slipping the stitches onto DPNs a bit ‘safer’ as there are now more stitches to grip the needles. You can remove the waste yarn when you’re just a few rounds into the project - this way, if anything goes wrong, there is less at stake!
Thread a tapestry needle with the tail end of the main yarn and unpick the waste yarn stitch by stitch, slipping the live loops onto the tapestry needle as you go. When you reach the end, go into the first stitch once more and then pull the yarn gently to close up the hole.