How to crochet an I-Cord or string for attaching eyeglasses, free crochet pattern by Susan Carlson of Felted Button | Colorful Crochet Patterns

How to Crochet an I-Cord

Maybe you have the same problem I do with eyeglasses? You take them off, set them down, and can't find them when you need them. I decided to solve this little dilemma by crocheting an I-cord Eyeglass Holder. And I'm thrilled to share a little tutorial with you in case you might want to make one, too. Wanna see? (Haha. Pun intended.)

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
 
Cute, huh? You may not really be interested in an eyeglass holder, though, but read-on. The I-cord technique I'm going to show you ROCKS, and you'll want it in your crochet tool belt! It's such a useful way to make a cord, drawstring, hair-tie, belt, handle for a bag, etc.
 
First, I bought one of these inexpensive eyeglass cords at the store and took it apart.
 
 
I used a screwdriver to separate the toothed clamp at the end.
 
Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

So now you have these pieces from each end. The toothed clamp and the rubber grip part.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
 
Now on to replacing the ugly brown cord with something colorful and FUN!
For my eyeglass cord, I used a 2.75 mm hook and Scheepjes Catona yarn because it is the perfect weight for this project, durable mercerized cotton and comes in oodles of gorgeous colors. (For some of this tutorial, however, I used a worsted acrylic because it grips itself a little better and was simpler for tutorial purposes when I need to set my hook down to take a picture and pick it back up with free loops dangling.) 
 
What I'm going to show you is called a 3 stitch I-Cord because it is made with 3 chains to start. If you want a wider cord--you can use a heavier weight yarn or more chain stitches to start. Let me show you...
 
Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
Shown: Worsted weight yarn with 5mm hook.
Ch 3...now insert your hook through the 2nd ch from the hook...
 
Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
...and draw up a loop. (2 loops on hook)

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Then insert your hook in the next ch and draw up a loop. (3 loops on hook)

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
Now remove the loops you just drew up from your hook. Here's the tricky part. While holding the free loops from slipping back out--ch 1. This might take a little practice. If you pull that first ch too tightly, you pull those free loops back out, so hold them firmly. You might even want to try with a bulky yarn and big hook until you get the hang of it.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
Now insert your hook in the free loop nearest your hook and holding the other free loop from slipping out, ch 1.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Now repeat that with the final free loop.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Insert your hook in the last free loop and ch 1. 

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Now do that all over again. Remove 2 loops from your hook.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Ch 1, insert into the next loop, ch 1, insert into the next loop, ch 1. Remove 2 loops, and so on.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

Keep this up and you will watch the i-cord grow.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

If you think about it, you are really just creating 3 chains connected together. Cool, huh?

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button

And this process creates a piece of fabric that naturally curls to the back making a "cord" vs a flat piece of fabric.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet I-Cord Tutorial by Felted Button
 
When you get your piece the length you want, just fasten off. The ends weave nicely into the curled part on the back, too.
 
Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button
Here is a wee bit showing a 5 stitch i-cord. It is a bit heftier for larger projects and still curls back as it grows. Now let me show you how I changed colors if you want to really mix things up.
 
Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button using Scheepjes Catona

By drawing the new color through that first loop...

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button using Scheepjes Catona

...and continuing as before, it's easy. And like I said, hiding ends in the curled part on the back of the stitches works brilliantly.

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button using Scheepjes Catona

I measured my cord to the ugly brown one before fastening off, inserted my i-cord end through the rubber part of the glasses holder, folded it over on itself added the toothed clamp around the end...

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button using Scheepjes Catona

...and gave it a good pinch with some pliers. Repeat on the other end and Ta-Dah!

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Pattern (How to Make an I-Cord) by Felted Button using Scheepjes Catona

I'm happy with this quick and easy project and hope you enjoy it, too. I would love to hear the other uses you have come up with for I-Cords. If you are interested in the eyeglass cases shown, I have a free pattern for them here

Eyewear Case FREE Crochet Pattern by Felted Button

Be well, dear friends! I've got sooo many things rolling behind the scenes that I'll share with you next week. So you don't miss out, you can keep in the Felted "Button" loop on my Facebook page here or on Instagram (@feltedbutton).

| On the Board | -- To be worthy does not mean to be perfect.  Gerrit W. Gong


(This post contains affiliate links. By using them and purchasing, there are no additional charges to you. Only a little small bonus for me.)

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