I-Cord around a Pipe Cleaner
BY REBECCA DANGER
On Bitsy-Bot (page 21 of 50 Yards of Fun), I wanted an
antenna that would stand up straight. So I inserted a small
piece of pipe cleaner in the center of my stitches to ensure
the antenna would stand up. However, there are several
other patterns that also have parts that stand up where I
didn’t include a pipe cleaner (like Junior Jackalope on page
26). I have a small kiddo and I wouldn’t be very comfortable giving him a toy with a pipe cleaner in it at this point,
so use your best judgment to decide if this technique is
right for you.
That being said, here is how to add the pipe cleaner.
First, pick up stitches as called for in your pattern. Here, I’m
using three stitches.
easiest to do this using the Magic Loop method or modified I-cord (you can download instructions for both of these
methods at ShopMartingale.com/extras). I tried to use a
normal I-cord but I couldn’t keep the pipe cleaner in the
center of my stitches.
When the pattern calls for it, cut the pipe cleaner right
by the stitches that were just knit, and as you finish the
antenna, the pipe cleaner will disappear into your knitting.
Second, insert a short piece of pipe cleaner through the
knitted head into the stuffing for stability.
Continue to knit the stitches, making sure you’re working the stitches around the pipe cleaner as you go so that
the pipe cleaner is completely covered by the knitting. It’s
Copyright Martingale & Company, 2013
Easy peasy and highly effective—two excellent things
when it comes to knitting.
If you’d like to see making I-cord around a pipe cleaner
in action, check out my video at:
ShopMartingale.com/50-yards-extras.html.

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