How I Made Cozy I-Cord Sweatshirts (While Still Figuring Out the Best Way to Attach Them)
- Crystal Wubbels
- Dec 6, 2025
- 3 min read
The Project I Didn’t Expect to Struggle With
Some projects swoop in like a burst of confidence.
Others show up like, “Hey, you ready to learn something today?”
The I-cord sweatshirt?
Definitely the second one.
I’ve been knitting up I-cords with my machine and shaping them into words and outlines to stitch onto sweatshirts. The idea is adorable: soft, dimensional lettering on a cozy crewneck. Pinterest loves it. My friends love it.
My confidence? Sitting somewhere around 20% and drinking tea in the corner.
The truth is: I still don’t my perfect method for attaching these things. I tried a few approaches that looked clean in theory but fell apart in practice. In the end, I started hand-sewing them on… very slowly… and then made a whole second sweatshirt with big fluffy yarn, which introduced a brand-new challenge.
Sometimes crafting is peaceful.
Sometimes it’s wrestling a marshmallow with a needle and thread.
What I’m Learning (Because I’m Still Figuring This Out… Slowly)
I wish I could say I’ve mastered it.
I haven’t.
But I am learning, and some of the things I’ve discovered feel worth sharing — even in the messy middle:
Pinning in small sections so the cord doesn’t wander
Using a curved upholstery needle, although I’m still finding the right angle
Short tacking stitches instead of long seams (still refining this!)
And on the fluffy yarn version?
Let’s just say:
The zig-zag stitch and I are becoming friends
My seam ripper is my best friend
Fluffy yarn looks dreamy, but it is drama.
The zig-zag stitch helps catch the loft without flattening it — but I’ve already ripped out more stitches than I planned. It’s slow. It’s a little chaotic. It’s actually kind of funny when the frustration fades.
I’m not done figuring it out.
I’m just trusting that slow progress is still progress.
A Moment of “Colorful Commentary” (And an Invitation to You)
Somewhere in the middle of all this stitching and experimenting, I had one of those classic crafting moments — the kind where the yarn suddenly decides it has its own free will.
I was happily cranking along with the I-cord machine when the yarn snagged, twisted, looped back on itself, and created what can only be described as a tiny yarn tornado. And yes… there were some colorful mutterings under my breath. The kind where you say it low enough that no one else can hear, but loud enough that the yarn knows you’re serious.
That moment reminded me that every maker — beginner or seasoned — has these little bursts of chaos. The tangles. The tight knots. The “are you kidding me?” moments. And honestly? I think they’re part of the whole experience.
So now I’m curious:
What’s your most relatable crafting mishap or muttered-under-your-breath moment?Drop it in the comments — I genuinely love hearing the behind-the-scenes chaos that comes with making.
Why This Project Is Teaching Me More Than I Expected
This sweatshirt has been whispering a tiny truth I keep forgetting:
You don’t have to be confident to keep going.
Sometimes confidence grows because you keep going.
There’s something strangely comforting about learning in public — or at least not pretending I’ve mastered something when I’m still very much in the experimental stage.
And honestly?
These sweatshirts look good even while I’m still learning.
That feels like its own little victory.
Supplies I’m Using So Far (I-Cord & Fluffy Yard)
Chunky Chenille Yarn
Matching thread
Pins or clips
Fabric chalk or chalk pencil
Sewing machine for zig-zag stitching (optional — currently my frenemies)
FAQ (Because Google Will Ask These Questions Anyway)
Can beginners make I-cord sweatshirts?
Absolutely — just expect the attaching part to take time.
Is sewing the I-cord down the only option?
It’s the most durable option. Glue rarely survives the wash.
Which yarn works best?
Smooth yarns are easier to sew. Fluffy yarns hide stitches but demand patience.
Will the I-cord stretch out?
A little, but not enough to distort the design if you sew it in place.
Final Thoughts
I’m still figuring this technique out, and that feels worth documenting — because not everything needs a polished ending to be meaningful.
Sometimes the real story is simply:
I tried. I learned. I’m still learning.
And the project looks pretty good anyway.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve personally used or believe will add value to your creative projects.
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