Cords

Dear users, dear authors,
How can you make cords, and what can you use them for?

It depends on what I need the cord for. Sometimes I twist it out of wool, but I’ve also made some using a knitting dolly. If I need a sturdy cord, I use cotton yarn—it doesn’t break as quickly as *regular* wool. But I also use a lot of store-bought cord, because you don’t always have the right materials lying around at home.

Here’s an example of a twisted cord:
Take several strands of the same length. Tie one end of the strands securely with a simple knot (e.g., to a desk lamp). Take the other end of the strands in your hand and twist them in one direction. (This works really well if, for example, you place a pencil between them and keep twisting it like a propeller.) When the strands start to curl, you’ve twisted them long enough. Pull the strands tight and find the center. Continue holding the end firmly and untie the knot on the other side, but be careful that the strands don’t untwist again, and immediately tie the strands together again on both sides.

There are different types of cords. As ruthk already explained (Option 1),
Option 2 would be using a knitting dolly or this hand-cranked cord maker, and Option 3 would be crocheting this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2tJ0fSsl88. It takes a little while, but it’s great. If you use thinner yarn, you’ll get a finer cord that can also be used as ties for bags or backpacks. I often use this cord maker—it’s quick.

You could also use the cords from these paper bags (available in various colors).
If you take three strands (made with this cord maker) and braid them, you’ll have a sturdy bag handle.
If you wind them into a spiral in different colors, you can make little snails.

Hope this helps.

@Bastelfan
I hadn’t seen your third method before. I took a look at it—it looks great. Thanks for the tip—I’ll definitely give it a try.

Lately, my husband has been helping me twist cords.
It goes really fast with a drill. He clamps a screw hook in place, and the loop is hooked onto it. I hold the other end with a knitting needle. That way, the cord is twisted in a few seconds and looks great.

@ Bastelfan
What kind of knitting mill do you have?
I have one from Prym, and I just can’t get the hang of it. It keeps skipping stitches or the stitches fall off. Is there a trick to it?

@ Bastelfan: 
I didn’t know your 3rd type of cord either. I really like it, and I’ll definitely try it out (the video is saved on my desktop!)
I’ve knitted cords before too: I find the beginning annoying, because the stitches usually end up too loose. But as soon as you can pull the knitted piece lengthwise, it gets better.

@ruthk , yes, I have this one from Prym
Link removed, mod.
I get along well with it. You do attach this weight. You also shouldn't crank too fast, just at a normal pace.

@Wollbaerli I'm glad. Good luck.

Link removed. Mod.

Here is the correct link.

Please don't include external links in your posts—thanks.
If needed, just Google the specific knitting machine.

OK, my mistake, sorry about that.

No problem :-)
Happy Saturday/Sunday/weekend :-)