I-Cord Necklaces

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

It’s back and it’s everywhere! I’m talking about all things hand dyed, from tie dyed and dip dyed to Japanese Shibori dyed and Batik dyed. This summer, man, woman and child are sporting funky, irregularly dyed threads. Dresses, shirts, scarves, purses, totes, you name it and it has been dyed, even ponytails!

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

This trend, once associated with the dancing bears and free love of the 70s, now connotes a chic, beachy, bohemian attitude. The color combinations are more controlled and subtle, sticking to one color range rather than running the r.o.y.g.b.i.v gamut.

All I knew, was I wanted in! I can be chic, beachy and bohemian, too, at least I’d like to think I can!

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Picking the yarn was a snap. I went straight for Alchemy’s hand dyed blend, Kozmos. A mixture of wool, mohair, silk and cotton, Kozmos echoes the saturated, unruly nature of hand dyed fabrics. Each fiber reacts uniquely during the dying process, giving it a one-of-a-kind depth and texture.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoICordNecklaces. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

1 skein of Alchemy’s Kozmos in 7 different colors. I used, from the top, Peppertree, Dahlia, Rich Berry, Fuchsia, Violet Fizz, Mandeville and Bordeaux.
NOTE: Both necklaces use all 7 colors of Alchemy’s Kozmos. The smaller of the two necklaces takes roughly 50 yards total. The longer necklace takes approximately 70 yards total.
US 6 (4 mm), Double Pointed Needles, 6-inch length
US 8 (5 mm), Double Pointed Needles, 6-inch length

Gauge

11 rows = 1 inch in stockingnette on larger needles

It is difficult to measure the gauge when knitting I-Cords. Fortunately, gauge is less important for this project than it would be for, say, a sweater. US #6 and US #8 needles created a satisfactory fabric for me, but feel free to play around with the needle sizes if you prefer either a stiffer i-cord or one with more drape.

Size

3-Loop Necklace: 117-inches long, approximately

1-Loop Necklace: 104-inches long, approximately

Notes

The entirety of these two patterns is knit as an i-cord. For how to make an i-cord, please refer to the i-cord tutorial here.

When changing colors on an i-cord, it is best to do so in the middle of the row rather than at the beginning of the row. This will prevent the creation of a hole or tension inconsistency when transitioning from one color to the next.

For each Color Change Row: K2 with current color yarn. Cut your yarn. Knit the remaining 3 stitches with the next color yarn.

I will refer to the seven colors listed and shown above by number rather than name, ie: Color 1, Color 2, Color 3, etc rather than Peppertree, Dahlia, Rich Berry, etc.

Pattern: 3-Loop Necklace

Begin

With Color 1, using the US 6 needles, cast on 3 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Begin knitting an i-cord. Knit until there is approximately 9-inches of cord.

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Increase Row: K1, kfb, knit to the end of the row. (4 stitches)

Knit 1 row

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Increase Row: K1, kfb, knit to the end of the row. (5 stitches)

Work First and Longest Loop

Switch to the US 8 needles. Continue knitting with Color 1 for three more inches.

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Color Change Row: With color 1 k2, cut your yarn, with Color 2 knit the remaining 3 stitches.

Continue knitting in Color 2 for approximately 3 inches.

Color Change Row: With Color 2 k2, cut your yarn, with color 3 knit the remaining 3 stitches.

Continue in Color 3 for approximately 3 inches.

Continue in this fashion. Knit 3 inches of i-cord in Color 4, then change to Color 5, then Color 6 and finally Color 7.

After knitting 3 inches with Color 7 you will continue as above, but in reverse color order. Change to Color 6, then Color 5, Color 4, Color 3, Color 2 and Color 1, knitting approximately 3-inches of each.

You have completed the first loop.

Second Loop

Continue knitting with Color 1 for another 3 inches. You will now have a 6-inch stretch of Color 1 (3 inches from the end of the first loop and 3 inches from the beginning of the second).

Change to Color 2 and knit for 3 inches. Knit 3 inches of i-cord in Color 3, Color 4, Color 5 and Color 6.

After knitting Color 6, you will continue as above, but in reverse color order. Change to Color 5, then Color 4, Color 3, Color 2 and Color 1, knitting approximately 3-inches of each color.

You have completed the second loop.

Third and Shortest Loop

Continue knitting with Color 1 for another 3 inches. You will now have a 6-inch stretch of Color 1 (3 inches from the end of the second loop and 3 inches from the beginning of the third).

Change to Color 2 and knit for 3-inches. Knit 3 inches of i-cord in Color 3, Color 4 and Color 5.

After knitting Color 5, you will continue as above, but in reverse color order. Change to Color 4, then Color 3, Color 2 and Color 1, knitting approximately 3 inches of each.

You have completed the third loop.

Finish

Change to the US #6 needles and continue with Color 1.

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Decrease Row: K1, K2tog, knit to the end of the row. (4 stitches)

Knit 1 row.

I-Cord Necklaces | Purl Soho

Decrease Row: K1, K2tog, knit to the end of the row. (3 stitches)

Knit for approximately 9 inches.

Bind off and weave in your colorful ends.

Tie it Up and Put it On

Using the more tightly knit ends as closures, tie a knot or a bow.

For this necklace make sure to loop your i-cord around your neck and align the color changes. The necklace fades from rich reds to bright pink all the way to a deep dark purple at the very bottom of the longest loop. The middle and shortest loops echo the color changes, highlighting all of the hard and enjoyable work you’ve done!