Tutorial: Knitted I-cord Coasters
What do you do with small amounts of yarn, fabric and other scrap craft materials that you have lying around? Turn them into fun shapes and use them as coasters! Dig out your stash yarn and start knitting relaxing I-cords. It’s so easy that any beginner knitter can make one.
MATERIALS
- Scrap amount of any weight yarn
- A pair of double pointed knitting needles or a short circular needle suitable for yarn. I used the needle size recommended on the yarn’s ball band
- Dressmakers pins
- Pen and paper or print my free template (pdf)
- Long doll making needle/joining needle or embroidery needle
- Bits and pieces of scrap material to decorate (optional)
THE BASICS: HOW TO KNIT AN I-CORD
Cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1: Knit all. Do not turn work. Just slide the 3 stitches to the other end of the needle.
Row 2: Pull the working yarn tightly around the back of your work and knit all 3 stitches again.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 to create I-cord. Cast off when you’ve reached the desired length.
5 EASY STEPS TO MAKE AN I-CORD COASTER
Step 1: Draw an outline of your coaster on a piece of paper. It can be any shape you want. Or simply print my free template (pdf).
Step 2: Knit an I-cord and pin onto the outline as you knit. This is to work out the length of I-cord you’ll need for the coaster. Pin from the outside and wrap your I-cord towards the center. Keep knitting until you have enough I-cord to fill your shape.
Step 3: Cast off and pin the remainder of the I-cord into place.
Step 4: Now for the trickiest part. Using a long piece of yarn and the joining needle, sew the coaster together. You may use the pictures below to get an idea how I’ve done mine. If you’re using an embroidery needle, you’ll have to sew it together differently. I trust that all you creative people will be able to fudge this step. 
Sew in all loose ends.
Step 5: Remove pins. One coaster done!
PERSONALIZE YOUR COASTERS
- Embroider using chain stitch to bring the leaf to life. Simple and elegant.
- Decorate with scrap fabric and a button. Cut fabric slightly larger than the size you want. Turn the edges in and finger press. Whip stitch into place. Now your bird can see where it’s flying to!
- Glue on a toothy felt grin and a couple of googly eyes. Sew a little belly button too. Roaaarrr!
As you can see, the possibilities are endless!
- Make them smaller and glue magnets to the back to make cute fridgies
- Make alphabet and food shapes for your kids to pretend play with
- String them up into a party garland
- Add a cord and turn them into Christmas Tree decorations
- Make super sized ones to sit on as a butt cushion
Have fun making these and happy stash busting! 
hello! great tute. at last something i can do… cos the only thing i can knit is a straight I cord. haha..
i saw u are one of the winners in mai’s blog. congratulations !!!
.-= Grace´s last blog ..Story of a dog and a bird =-.
What a great idea! I was just thinking how great they would be out of cotton yarn, I had lots left over from washcloths I have made.
I look forward to your blog.
this is such a cute idea!! I’ve also recently heard about i cord machine, and now I’m really intrigued…
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Modificaiton Mondays: Quadrat =-.
[...] Tutorial: Knitted I-cord Coasters: What do you do with small amounts of yarn, fabric and other scrap craft materials that you have lying around? Turn them into fun shapes and use them as coasters! [...]
cute!
I bet you could do something similar with a thick crochet line as well. You are very creative and I love those stuffed fruit and animal creations you made.
That is an aweseom tutorial! I linked it in today’s post! Thanks for leaving this in the comment section!
Many thanks for the write-up.