The original Cordsmith
$25.00 for one, $20 each when buying two or more. If ordering 12 or more please email me.
Designed by a maker, for makers. The handle is made from 3D printed plastic in seven color options, with 3 stainless steel latch needles, and has been designed to be comfortable to hold for long periods of time. It has a lightly textured surface so it’s easy to grip.
Ordering is currently completed through a Google Form. Autumn will be in touch with your total, including shipping, as well as payment options. She responds within 24 hours so if you haven’t heard from her, be sure to check your spam/junk folders!
Do we ship outside the US?
Of course! And we’ve got a handy table of costs so you can get an estimate on how much it might be to get a Cordsmith shipped to your country.
A bespoke tool for creating knitted cord.
Designed by a maker, for makers.
I don’t know about you, but while I love the way i-cord looks, I really dislike knitting it. So, I decided to see if I could design a tool to make the process more enjoyable, and faster too.
Enter, the Cordsmith. This simple tool allows you to create a row of i-cord with a single movement, replacing three knit stitches and the time it takes to slide your stitches back to your working needle again.
Yes, it really is that fast and it’s easy enough that kids can use it too!
Frequently asked questions
Did you design the Cordsmith?
Yes! I took the idea and my fiber arts knowledge and worked with my husband and his 3D design skills to create Cordsmith. Over multiple iterations I finally landed on a version that was functional and accessible.
Is the Cordsmith tool accessible?
It’s lightweight, designed to be able to be used left or right handed, has a texture on both sides that makes it easy to hold onto and is sized that small hands can grip it firming while hands with dexterity issues or conditions like arthritis can grasp and worked with a relaxed hand. It actually works better if you’re relaxed which means you can work longer without fatigue.
Can I buy a Cordsmith?
Yes! One Cordsmith is $25 and there is an automatic discount of 20% when purchasing two or more shipping to the same address which brings the price down to $20 each.
Shipping within the US is $5 for up to 6 tools and to Canada is $16.46 for up to 6 tools. You can find a list of stockists here.
What is the lead time?
We are currently fulfilling individual orders within a 3-5 business days and wholesale orders within 5-10 business days. When you contact me to order, I provide when your order is expected to ship and will let you know right away if there is a delay.
Is the Cordsmith legit?
Very much so! I posted a 30 second clip of Cordsmith in use on 11/7/23 and received my first orders within 5 minutes and haven’t slowed down since!
We are currently at almost 10,000 units sold which have shipped to over 40 countries!
Are there more sizes?
No. This design works with all yarn weights! I’ve personally tested it with fingering weight up to bulky and I’m seeing others using chunky yarn like Rasta or Mecha with no problem! Some people are even using fingering weight to make an i-cord and then using that to make a bulky weight i-cord.
How do you cast on?
Create a slip knot and wrap it around the right needle, under the middle needle, and around the left needle. Tighten the knot and then, after making sure all of the needles are open, wrap your yarn across all three needles. Holding onto the tail of the slip knot pull forward, up and over the needles. Pull back towards the handle to complete your stitch and it will reopen your needles. Pull back up towards the middle below the open needles to start your next stitch. Repeat until you have the number of stitches you need. You can watch a video here.
How do you change colors?
Grab your new color and, leaving a little bit of a tail, yarn over and start your next stitch. You can hold the new tail and old tail together with your cord to make it easier for the first stitch to add stability. When you’re finished with the cord or have a couple of inches down, twist the tails once so the colors point at their sections and weave them back into the middle of their matching color sections of cord. You can watch a video here.
How do you bind off?
Take your tail and place on a tapestry needle. Pull through each of the loops as you pull them off the needles. Pull tight and weave in. You can watch a video here.
How do you pick up dropped stitches?
Stitches popping off is usually due to trying to work too fast. It’s easiest if you pull the stitches back a round or two so your yarn is back at the “starting position” stitch and then picking the stitches back up to keep working. For me, since I’m right handed and I like to wrap clockwise, my starting stitch is the one on the right. You can watch a video about picking up stitches here.
How do you do an applied I-cord bind off?
Pick up the first three stitches of the icord bind off – one per needle – and work the stitch with Cordsmith and then you’ll pick up your next stitch on your left needle to work the next stitch repeating down the edge until you’ve bound off all stitches. You can watch a video here.
Is my Cordsmith broken?
A visible seam is normal due to the way our tool is printed and assembled since the handle is printed in two parts. Needles that seem wiggly or loose are also normal! That little bit of wiggle allows for flexibility which makes your stitches easier to work while also providing strain relief so your needles are less likely to break. If you have a handle that has actually fallen apart or a needle that has broken, please reach out with photos and I’ll arrange for a replacement right away.
What can the Cordsmith be used for?
Anything that requires knitted cord!
- Use it to create i-cord to cast on a project
- Use it to create an attached i-cord bind off
- Drawstrings for hoodies, pants, and bags
- Use the i-cord to knit or crochet a super squishy blanket, rugs or chair cushions
- Add beads as you go to make sparkly bracelets or holiday garland
- Wrap around round foam balls to make holiday decorations
- Hanging loops for stockings
- Slide over wire shapes and words
- Macrame art
- Plant hangers
- Decorative wall hangings
- Strings to attach mittens or hat ties
- Bows for hair and barrettes
Any other tips and tricks?
Be patient! The first stitch or three can be a little finicky so don’t give up! I recommend using a yarn with a little bit of stretch to start and a heavier weight like DK or worsted. Cotton or linen aren’t as easy for beginners but can be used with practice. Novelty yarns like boucle or fur are definitely are not beginner friendly. When you’re working, keep your working yarn loose and it will be easier to pull your stitches up and over. Once you’ve got a few stitches you’ll have more of the cord to grab which makes things easier! You’ll be zooming along in no time!
Thank you!
Each Cordsmith is made for you by hand in Ohio. Your enthusiasm for Cordsmith and support of our family means everything! Thank you for supporting this small, woman-owned, family-run business.
What people are saying
“I can’t wait to whip up miles of I Cord.” — @indigo.knits
“I just got my Cordsmith this weekend and I don’t know how I have lived life without it!” — @crochetennoir
“My Cordsmith came today and holy cow this is an addictive gadget!” — @arielmakesstuff
“It’s super stretchy and looking perfect on take two. Immediately in love with the Cordsmith” — @procrasticrafting
“I might be obsessed.” — @fleurangeapparel
“Literally unpacked this Cordsmith from the mail 5 minutes ago and am already i-cording away. This is such a neat idea!” — @s2five
“The #cordsmith is 100% legit and is amazing. This has made I-cord fun to do!” — @gypsyyarns
“My Cordsmith arrived and I had to test it out immediately!!! Such a cool tool!” — @perfectlyknotted
“Had to test it out right away, first with a fingering weight and then with a lace weight, just as an experiment (probably won’t ever use it on that weight. Pretty nifty!” — @obaknits
“Set up took some getting used to but holy crap when you get going it FLIES 10/10 recommend!” — @vicknitsnstuff