The Royal Cowl pattern uses an i-cord cast-on and an i-cord bind-off. Each of these techniques gives a beautiful formal edge to the top and bottom of the cowl.
To complete this sophisticated look, it is important to graft the ends of each i-cord edge together seamlessly. It’s kind of like doing the kitchener stitch. Here’s how.
The Steps to Grafting I-Cord Ends
When you finished the i-cord cast-on at the beginning of the pattern, the pattern instructions asked you to place the remaining 4 stitches on a small stitch holder or a small piece of scrap yarn. Similarly, you now have 4 live stitches left at the end of your i-cord bind-off.
Step 1: Place these 4 live stitches on a knitting needle. Next, thread the tail of the yarn onto a tapestry needle. Bring the tail through the stitch on the right end of the knitting needle by inserting the tapestry needle through the back of the stitch (as shown below). Lightly pull the yarn through, taking the stitch off the needle.
Step 2: Moving to the beginning of the i-cord, find the first stitch on the right hand side of the i-cord and insert the tapestry needle from right to left under the two legs at the base of the V of that stitch (as shown below). Then pull the yarn through.
Step 3: Come back to the stitch that was taken off the knitting needle. Insert the tapestry needle into the top of that stitch from right to left. Continue to bring the tapestry needle under and through the next live stitch on the knitting needle (as shown below). Then slip it off and pull yarn through.
Step 4: Move back to the beginning of the i-cord and insert tapestry needle into the next stitch from right to left under the narrowest part of the V of that stitch, as in Step 2. Pull yarn through.
Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until all stitches have been worked.
Step 5: Insert the tapestry needle into the top of the last live stitch that was taken off of the knitting needle. Thread it through the cowl to the wrong side (as shown below), if not already on the wrong side. Secure with a knot on the wrong side and weave in the end.
Now repeat these instructions to also graft the cast-on i-cord ends together.
You now have a beautiful seamless edge at the top and also at the bottom of your cowl. Happy knitting!
Thanks for the instructions, they really helped for my katniss cowl.
You’re welcome. Glad I could help!