Strickschnur: The Complete Guide to Knitting Cord and How to Use It in Your Projects
If you’ve spent any time in the world of yarn crafts, you’ve likely come across the term Strickschnur — the German word for knitting cord, also known as i-cord or knitted cord. It sounds simple enough, and in many ways it is. But this humble little tube of knitted fabric is one of the most versatile techniques in a crafter’s toolkit, capable of transforming a plain project into something polished, practical, and genuinely beautiful.
Whether you’re a beginner who just figured out how to cast on, or an experienced knitter looking to add new finishing techniques to your repertoire, this guide covers everything you need to know about Strickschnur — what it is, how it’s made, the tools you’ll need, the different methods available, and the many creative ways you can use it in your work.
What Is Strickschnur?
Strickschnur is a narrow, tubular cord created through knitting. Unlike flat knitting, which produces a piece of fabric with two distinct sides, knitting cord forms a small, rounded rope-like structure with a uniform surface all the way around. It’s dense, flexible, and holds its shape well, making it enormously useful for both decorative and functional purposes.
The most well-known version is the i-cord, a technique popularized by knitting designer Elizabeth Zimmermann. She coined the name “idiot cord” — later softened to “i-cord” — because of how deceptively simple it is to make once you understand the method. Despite the cheeky name, the results are anything but unsophisticated. I-cord appears on high-end knitwear, handmade bags, children’s toys, jewelry, and home décor items the world over.
The Strickschnur can be worked in virtually any yarn weight, from ultra-fine lace weight to bulky wool, and with different stitch counts to control the thickness of the cord. A 2-stitch cord makes a delicate, almost thread-like tube, while a 5- or 6-stitch cord creates something chunky enough to use as a bag handle or a belt.
The Tools You Need
Before you start, you’ll want to gather a few basic supplies. The good news is that making Strickschnur requires very little equipment — it’s one of those techniques that’s accessible even if you’re just starting out and don’t have a large collection of tools.
Double-pointed needles (DPNs): The classic tool for making i-cord. You only need two of them. Choose a needle size that matches your yarn weight, just as you would for any other project.
A short circular needle: Some knitters find it more comfortable to work i-cord on a short circular needle, especially if they’re making a long cord and want to keep the stitches from dropping off the ends.
An i-cord maker or Strickschnur machine: For those who want to produce longer cords quickly, there are small hand-cranked gadgets specifically designed for this purpose. They look a bit like a French knitting spool and work on a similar principle. These tools are particularly handy for children or for people who find the DPN method awkward.
Yarn: Almost any yarn works. Smooth yarns in a tighter twist tend to show the stitch definition more clearly, which gives the cord a neater appearance. However, fluffy or textured yarns can also produce interesting results depending on the look you’re going for.
How to Make Strickschnur: Step by Step
Let’s walk through the standard double-pointed needle method, which is the most widely used technique and the one you’ll see referenced in the majority of knitting patterns.
Step 1: Cast on your stitches. Using one double-pointed needle, cast on the number of stitches your pattern calls for. For a basic i-cord, 3 or 4 stitches is the most common starting point. You can use a simple knitted cast-on or a cable cast-on — either works well.
Step 2: Knit across. With a second double-pointed needle, knit all of your stitches as you normally would. Don’t turn your work at the end of the row.
Step 3: Slide instead of turn. This is the key move that makes i-cord work. Instead of turning the needle around as you would in flat knitting, slide the stitches back to the right-hand end of the needle. The working yarn will be at the left side of your stitches, and you’ll bring it around the back before knitting the first stitch again.
Step 4: Pull snugly. When you knit that first stitch after sliding, pull the yarn firmly to close the gap at the back. This pull creates the tubular structure.
Step 5: Repeat. Continue sliding and knitting until your cord reaches the desired length. As the cord grows, you’ll see it forming naturally into a neat, rounded tube.
Step 6: Cast off. When your cord is long enough, simply cut the yarn and draw it through the remaining stitches with a tapestry needle, pulling tight to close the end. Weave in the tail.
That’s it. The technique is genuinely quick to learn, and most knitters find that after even five or ten rows, the motion becomes natural and rhythmic.
Common Stitch Counts and Their Uses
The number of stitches you cast on determines the diameter of your Strickschnur, and different diameters suit different applications.
A 2-stitch cord is the narrowest option. It produces something that looks almost like twisted yarn and works beautifully as a fine drawstring, a thin decorative trim, or a delicate strap for jewelry.
A 3-stitch cord is probably the most popular all-purpose choice. It’s small enough to be tidy but substantial enough to hold its shape and be used decoratively. Many patterns call for 3-stitch i-cord for button loops, ties, and edgings.
A 4-stitch cord strikes a nice balance between fine and chunky. It works well for bag handles, belts, and any application where you need a bit more strength and body.
A 5- or 6-stitch cord starts to feel really substantial, especially in a heavier yarn. This is what you’d use for things like dog leashes, thick bag straps, decorative rope elements, or the kind of cord that needs to bear weight or withstand some wear.
Attached I-Cord: A Finishing Technique Worth Learning
One of the most elegant applications of the Strickschnur technique is what’s called attached i-cord, or applied i-cord. Instead of making a separate cord and sewing it on afterward, you work the cord directly onto the edge of your knitted piece as you go.
This technique produces a beautifully clean, rounded edge that looks professional and polished. It’s particularly effective on blankets, shawls, jacket fronts, and any project where you want the edge to lie flat and look intentional rather than simply bound off.
To work attached i-cord, you pick up stitches along the edge of your finished piece, then work your i-cord across them, knitting together the last stitch of the cord with the next picked-up stitch on every row. The cord attaches itself to the edge as you work, row by row, until the entire edge is framed by a neat rounded tube.
It takes a little more concentration than a simple cast-off, but the result is stunning, and once you’ve done it on one project, you’ll find yourself wanting to use it on everything.
Using Strickschnur in Your Projects
The creative possibilities for knitting cord are genuinely wide-ranging. Here are some of the most popular and practical uses, along with a few ideas that might surprise you.
Drawstrings and ties: This is probably the most obvious application. Bags, hoods, hats, and even pants and skirts all benefit from a handmade knitted cord drawstring. Because you can match the yarn exactly to your project, the result looks cohesive and intentional. Simply thread the finished cord through eyelets or a channel at the top of the bag or garment.
Button loops and closures: Rather than working a buttonhole into your fabric — which can be tricky and requires precise placement — some knitters prefer to create a small i-cord loop on the edge of a garment. It’s adjustable, forgiving, and has a lovely handcrafted look.
Bag straps and handles: A sturdy Strickschnur makes an excellent handle for a knitted or crocheted bag. For extra strength, especially if the bag will be carrying heavy items, you can twist two or three separate cords together to create a thicker, more durable strap.
Decorative edging: Applied i-cord turns a simple finished edge into something special. It works particularly well around blanket edges, the necklines of sweaters, and the hems of skirts and dresses.
Necklaces and bracelets: With fine yarn and a narrow stitch count, Strickschnur becomes jewelry. You can string beads onto the yarn before knitting to incorporate them into the cord, or simply use the cord itself as a necklace chain or bracelet band. Add a clasp or tie it in a bow for closure.
Toy making: Knitted cords are a staple in the world of amigurumi and soft toy making. They serve as tails, tentacles, limbs, and all manner of appendages. Because they’re seamless and sturdy, they hold up well to the kind of handling that children’s toys receive.
Home décor: Think wall hangings, macramé-inspired decorations, plant hangers, or curtain ties. Strickschnur adds a warm, handmade texture to home décor projects that looks beautiful alongside natural materials like wood and linen.
Gift wrapping and packaging: If you make handmade gifts, wrapping them with a hand-knitted cord rather than ordinary ribbon adds a thoughtful, personal touch that most people absolutely love.
French Knitting: A Related Technique
It’s worth mentioning French knitting (also called spool knitting) in the same breath as Strickschnur, because the two techniques produce similar results through a slightly different method. French knitting uses a wooden spool with pegs around the top — you wrap yarn around the pegs and use a hook to pull the lower loops up and over the upper ones, producing a continuous tube of cord.
French knitting is often one of the first crafts taught to children because it requires no needles and can be done with inexpensive, simple tools. The cord it produces is slightly different in texture from needle-worked i-cord — it tends to be a bit looser and more flexible — but it’s just as useful for many of the same applications.
If you’re looking for a way to introduce knitting cord to a young child, a French knitting spool or a Strickschnur machine is an excellent place to start.
Tips for Better Results
Making Strickschnur is easy, but a few small adjustments can make the difference between a cord that looks slightly sloppy and one that looks crisp and professional.
Keep consistent tension throughout. Because you’re pulling the yarn around the back of your work on every single row, it’s easy for tension to vary — particularly when you’re first learning. Try to be mindful of how firmly you pull before knitting that first stitch. Consistent tension is the single biggest factor in a neat-looking cord.
Use smooth, twist-resistant yarn. Slippery yarns like superwash merino or cotton tend to produce very neat i-cord because the stitches settle into each other cleanly. Hairier yarns or those with a lot of texture can obscure the tubular structure, which you may or may not want depending on the effect you’re going for.
Go down a needle size. Some knitters find that using a needle size smaller than what their yarn label recommends produces a denser, firmer cord. This can be useful for things like bag handles or drawstrings that need to hold their shape under use.
Block it. Like most knitted fabric, Strickschnur benefits from blocking. A quick soak in lukewarm water followed by gentle pressing between towels can even out the stitches and give the cord a more polished appearance.
Count your rows. If you’re making two matching cords — for example, two straps for a bag — it’s easy to misjudge the length of the first one and then struggle to match it. Count your rows as you go, or measure against a ruler, so both cords end up the same length.
Choosing Yarn for Your Strickschnur
The yarn you choose has a significant impact on the finished look and feel of your cord. Here’s a quick overview of how different types of yarn behave.
Cotton yarn produces firm, smooth cord with excellent stitch definition. It’s a great choice for bag handles, drawstrings, and anything that needs to withstand regular use. Cotton doesn’t stretch much, so it holds its length well.
Wool and wool blends give a slightly stretchier cord that’s very comfortable to handle. Superwash wool is particularly popular because it’s machine washable. Wool i-cord tends to felt slightly with use, which can actually improve its durability over time.
Acrylic yarn is affordable and comes in an enormous range of colors, making it a practical choice for decorative cords, children’s toys, and projects where you want a specific shade. It’s generally smooth and easy to work with.
Linen and linen blends produce cord with a lovely natural texture and excellent strength. Linen cord has a slightly rough feel when first made but softens considerably with washing and use.
Silk and silk blends add a beautiful sheen to i-cord that makes it feel genuinely luxurious. These yarns are best reserved for special projects like jewelry or decorative trim on a special garment.
A Timeless Technique Worth Mastering
Strickschnur might seem like a small and specialized skill, but the more you work with it, the more you’ll find yourself reaching for it. It solves finishing problems elegantly, it adds structure and polish to handmade items, and it’s satisfying to make in a quiet, meditative kind of way — the kind of repetitive, rhythmic motion that knitters often find deeply relaxing.
There’s also something genuinely pleasing about the fact that such a simple technique — slide, pull, knit, repeat — can produce results that look so deliberate and refined. Whether you’re trimming a baby blanket, making a drawstring for a market bag, or creating a piece of fiber jewelry, knitting cord is a skill that will serve you again and again, across years of projects and countless different yarns.
If you haven’t tried it yet, cast on three stitches today and see where it takes you. You might be surprised at how quickly a humble little cord can become one of your favorite tools.
