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Thursday, March 3, 2011

Tutorial for I-cord earphone cover (otherwise known as "I wanna put on mah mah mah mah mah boogie earbuds!")



If you frequent craftster, you may have seen these:


They were a featured project of the month on craftster, both for knitting AND overall. Proud? Me? Okay, a little. I promised and promised a tutorial, but I FINALLY got around to filming it this morning. I'm also going to do a write-up in case you don't want to listen to my droning and goofiness. I asked my Dad to film my hands for me, and he decided to film ME as an introduction. Me. In my sweats, a ponytail, and no makeup. A scary sight indeed, but hopefully people can get past that and gain some clarity if the write-up is confusing. So here goes! 

Boogie earbuds: 

Supplies:

Earbuds (duh)
Fingering weight yarn   
Two size 1 dpns 
1 safety pin (or stitch holder)
tapestry needle

First and foremost, MAKE SURE YOU WRAP UP EXCESS EARBUD CORDAGE (using a rubber band or something)
Trust me. You want to do this. 

Using favorite cast on method (I used long tail), cast on 3(4) sts. (I say 4, because some cords are thicker than others, use your own judgement, pattern is VERY adjustable. Common sense, people.)

Okay, so cast on 3 or 4 sts. Do not turn work. Slide stitches to opposite end of needle, making sure the FIRST stitch you cast on is now your first stitch you'll be working with. (is that confusing? Let me know, or watch the video) With earbud
connector facing DOWN, make sure working yarn wraps BEHIND the earbuds. Basically, throw your earbud bundle over the yarn so the working yarn is behind the cord. Knit all stitches. Throw earbud bundle behind working yarn.
Repeat until you reach the "y" split.
Increase using your favorite method (if you cast on 3 stitches, increase 1 stitch so you have 4 stitches. If you cast on 4 stitches, increase 2 so you have 6 stitches)

Knit 2 rounds

Transfer the 2 or 3 stitches farthest from the working yarn onto safety pin.
Continue working I-cord method on right or left earbud (whichever one you're closest to) with remaining 2 or 3 stitches. When you reach the top (or the microphone thingeemabobber) cut yarn leaving a tail and run through all stitches, drawing it tight. Weave in tail. If you have a microphone thingeemabobber, just do what you did at the beginning, only cast on the smaller amount of stitches. Duh; ;) Knit I-cord to end, run yarn through stitches, blah blah blah. You get the idea. 

Okay! Other ear! Go back and transfer those 2 or 3 stitches back onto your needle and knit that I-cord! 
Run yarn through, draw closed, blah blah blahf You're done! Woot woot!

If this doesn't make any sense (sorry, I've never written a pattern before), you can always e-mail me at damsel@me.com, or watch the video and see if it clarifies anything. And please PLEASE don't mind the Bonnie-monster.  Better with actual sleep and makeup.  I hope this helps, and please let me know if you make one and send me a picture!

By the way, I survive solely on comments. it's my sustenance. Please let me know if you like this, if you hate it, if anytthing needs clarifying, etc. And if you "follow" me, I will love you forever. Just sayin'. Also, this song is mandatory listening. 


74 comments:

  1. Maybe you'll start a trend--mandatory listening music provided for every pattern. I can't wait to try these.

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  2. That song is STILL stuck in my head......

    That's a great idea!

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  3. Thank you! I love your announcement on your blog! So cool and creative. :)

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  4. You rock! I am alone this weekend and I am making a set for me! Diane

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  5. I like this idea...I think I'll cast on...right now! I hate the tangling.

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  6. I would LOVE to see a pic, Diane! They only took me a few hours, and I'm not a super fast knitter. You should have them by tonight or tomorrow, and be rockin' them for the weekend. :)

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  7. Very cool idea!
    Mine are always getting tangled in my hair.
    I am going to have to do this.
    Thank you.

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  8. Right, I'm casting these on tonight! I neeeed some cool looking earbud whats-its!

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  9. Thank you so much for posting this tutorial! I've already cast on, and it's looking awesome!

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  10. Finished!! http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/VenusdeMichaud/headphones.jpg

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  11. Yay Erica! Those look fantastic! Do you mind if I post your pic in my next blog post?

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  12. Thank you for the compliment. I don't mind at all! Please do. Thanks again, Bonnie! You rock!!

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  13. Very creative. Nice way to protect the cords.

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  14. Thank you! It got frustrating with the rubber getting caught in my hair as well as the cord tangles themselves. Be sure to post pics!

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  15. You are adorable. Your idea is adorable. Much luck! You deserve an award.

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  16. You may be anonymous, but I like you already. ;)

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  17. What a great idea! Pattern was awesome enough, but the video is even better thanks s much! You def have a new follower!

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  18. Thank you Dee! That totally made my day. :) *hugs*

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  19. So I finished my right earbud, starting left, only problem I'm having is now I want to buy mor earbuds so I can knit all dif colors! You've created a boogie earbudaholic!!

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  20. I know exactly what you mean, Dee! I just finished another pair for myself yesterday (same yarn, new earbuds). :) I showed them to my knitting group yesterday, and one of the ladies who is an instructor there said "if you can stand all that i-cord, more power to ya!" LOL! Yeah, it's a bit tedious at times, but it seems to work up pretty quickly. And hey, no more tangles, right? ;)

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  21. I think I love you for these instructions! Gotta go buy some yarn tomorrow =) /Malena, Stockholm, Sweden

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  22. Thank you Malena! The wonderful thing about these is that it just takes scraps. You'll still have tons left over for a pair of socks. :) Thank you for stopping by, and check back soon - I'll be posting a sock pattern!

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  23. These are awesome. I'm casting on NOW. Also listening to the mandatory music. :)

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  24. Thanks for visiting Heather! Will you post pictures when you're done? I'd love to see your earbuds when they're finished. :) What yarn/colorway are you using? Inquiring minds want to know!

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  25. I LOVE the icover idea! I just wish I were adept at knitting. Unfortunately, I only know the basics and this might be beyond my skill level. You don't crochet, too, by any chance, do you? I'm a much better crocheter and would love a crochet pattern for the icover!

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  26. Hi Annie! Alas, I didn't take to crochet as much as knitting, but my sister is a great crocheter! I keep harassing her about writing up a crochet version of this tutorial, and I'm going to continue until she caves in and writes it up. Keep your eyes here, hopefully she'll get on it in the next few weeks!

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  27. an excellent tutorial, with plenty of personality. Thank you.
    Question: what yarn did you use, exactly? I ask because I have seen other versions of this, but none so good looking and smooth.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Hi! The yarn that I used is Socks that Rock from Blue Mountain Fiber Arts. The colorway is Fire on the Mountain, and if you want this specific yarn, you can find it here: http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19_20_30

    This yarn is so wonderful to work with, and i really love the fast changing colors. Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures when you're done!

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  29. Whoops, I meant Blue Moon, not Blue Mountain. Heh.

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  30. These are too cute! I can't wait to make them. Thanks for the pattern.

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  31. You're so very welcome, Elizabeth! Thank you for visiting!

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  32. Hi Bonnie,

    Did you give permission for your tutorial to be posted over here on this blog: In the Garden

    http://inthe-garden.blogspot.com/2011/05/tutorial-for-i-cord-earphone-cover.html

    Just asking because a fellow blogger had her tutorial stolen, and passed off as the authors (without permission)... I was browsing through...to see if there were any others, and I found yours. She keeps your info at the bottom though, and deleted the other bloggers, so maybe she had permission from you? I hope so!

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  33. Sorry Bonnie! I just read the comments...I see you already know about this...sorry to bring it up again. It must be very upsetting :(

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  34. Hi Debbie! Thank you for the heads-up, it made me smile to know that somebody else also cared enough to contact the other crafters about their tutorials. I spent my work breaks yesterday tracking everyone down and sending them e-mails or commenting on their blogs, and that gave me immense satisfaction. I feel a lot more at peace today seeing the army that has risen up in defense, and knowing that blogger will delete their account as soon as it works its way through the system. Ah, sweet justice. :D No use in staying angry though, I'm more indignant now than anything.

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  35. Bonnie, I A-D-O-R-E this idea!
    I'd like to ask you (for the next post) to increase the sound and zoom a little bit...
    Wish you good luck.

    oxo from Brazil,
    Vera

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  36. Another great idea! I can make them to match my yoga socks from your pattern.

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  37. Fab-u-lous! Now I just need a magic spell to make my husband and kids disappear so I can have a go - do you have a tute for that too? :D

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  38. HI, thanks for the great pattern. I made these for my new headphones, check them out here!

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  39. Yay! making these has finally perfected my iCord technique! thank you so much for the inspiration <3

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  40. Cute idea! Made me want to cast on right away, Though I had to laugh, I-cord for an I-pod. Anyway, loved it.

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  41. Thanks for posting! Just finishing up. Very simple but I needed your instructions to figure it out. Much appreciated.

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  42. You're so welcome! I'm very glad it helped. Be sure and send me a pic! I'd love to see them all finished. :)

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  43. Awesome Bonnie! Just bought some Tosh Merino Light in Neon Yellow and green. My high school age daughter will love these. Am making pairs for all my kids for valentines day. Love the creativity.

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  44. Dude!? You're a genius!! I'm 1/2 way through!

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  45. Thank you!
    here is my project page with pictures. It's an eyecatcher :-)
    I called it rainbow snake

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  46. They look fantastic!! Great job!

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  47. TOO COOL!!! One quick question though - can i just knit over the microphone in my earbuds or not???

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    1. I wouldn't really recommend it, seems like it would muffle the sound. But hey, you can always try and see how it turns out! :D

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  48. Fantastic idea! Will be knitting some of these up for sure!

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  49. I LOVE these!! : DDD
    Great idea!

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  50. Hey there! These look so neat and I really want to try them out but I have a question. What do you do if you want to switch colours? I wanted to make the right ear cord and the left ear cord different colours but I'm not quite sure what to do. A little help please? :)

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  51. I love the idea! I'm working on a test-set right now. I think my yarn might be a bit too thick, but I need to practice my i-cord anyways since I'm not so great with the tension. thanks for posting the tutorial, don't think I would have figured it out on my own. Thanks again!

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  52. Wow, that's such a great idea! Can't wait to try it out! :)

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  53. I have the ifrogz earbuds, they are noise cancelling but i find that i can "hear" it when they get bumped or brushed against my clothes. I'm sure that sounds loopy but I am hoping if I use your pattern it will provide a buffer of sorts to keep that from happening.
    Thanks so much for the pattern and the tunes!!

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  54. I love this idea but I can't get it started for some reason :( HELP!!!!

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  55. This rocks! So very cool! thank you!

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  56. This is awesome! A super quick knit! I'm almost done with the earbuds I use for the gym, then I'm going to work on the ones I keep in my purse. YAY! Thank you!

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  57. Did you ever get your sister to do a tutorial for these? Just curious, I am clueless to knitting but crochet, that is right up my alley. Thanks!

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  58. I have cats who eat my earbuds if I fall asleep while wearing them. I am casting these on NOW. And then I'll do my husband's....

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  59. I would start these tomorrow if I hadn't just busted my earbuds... As soon as I get new ones, I'll be on it!

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  60. Hey, this looks like a really great way to use up that special sock yarn that I couldn't bear to throw away. Thanks!

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  61. Am I the first in 2013 to make this pattern? I did, and I LOVE it!! Thank you so much!

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  62. Just made this pattern and love it! Than you so much!!!

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  63. What a great idea!!! Thanks for posting and making the video! I've been looking for something quick/small to knit while on a 4 hour car ride this weekend. Can't wait to make it!!

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  64. I just cast on and have knit about 10". It is extremely easy following your directions. Thanks for the video. This is such a great project!

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  65. Hmm I'm thinking of changing the pattern a little bit to decorate my phone or laptop charger!

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  66. Thank you for the excellent project. I had been contemplating making a cozy and found this on Ravelry! Happy knitting.

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  67. Fantastic!! I have a bunch of small amounts of yarn left over from my sock knitting. It's winter here and very, very cold so when hubby or I go on walks, it's going to be safer for the cord of our headphones!

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  68. YaY! This pattern is going to help me personalize everyone's headphones in my house. I am excited to get started. Thanks, Heather

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  69. Would this be possible with circular needles? I don't have any DPN's small enough

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  70. This is such a great idea, thanks so much for sharing!

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