How to Make I-Cord Flowers (Knitted Wire Flower DIY)

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6:00 AM

How to Make I-Cord Flowers (Knitted Wire Flower DIY)

DIY Yarn-Wrapped Wire Roses with I-Cord 🌹

A Beautiful Beginner-Friendly Tutorial combining the Caydo Electric Knitting Machine + Big Happy Jig from We R Makers.

LONG LASTING FLOWERS:

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a flower that never fades, this project is going to be your new favorite.

These beautiful flowers combine the structure of wire art with the softness of knitted i-cord, resulting in a stunning handmade diy creation that looks intricate—but is actually very approachable for a beginner.

FULL TUTORIAL GUIDES FOR EACH OF THE TOOLS USED HERE:

Let's get started!

Red i-cord wrapped rose blooms and green i-cord wrapped stems makes a beautiful bouquet, well 3 wire flowers on a white table.

WIRE ROSES WRAPPED IN YARN FOR BEGINNERS:

This is one of those rare projects where everything just clicks.

The machine does the repetitive work, the jig keeps your shapes consistent, and you get to focus on the fun part—bringing your i-cord flower to life.

Whether you're creating a bouquet, decorating your home, or sharing your latest diycrafts creation on Instagram, these roses are guaranteed to stand out.

Let’s dive into this full, detailed tutorial so you can learn exactly how to create your own ⬇️

Supplies Needed for I-Cord Wire Roses:

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We R Makers Big Happy Jig tool (on sale now!)
Caydo Electric i-cord Knitting Machine
3mm Aluminum wire
3mm Rubber End Caps (any color, mine are clear)
Yarn (#2, #3, or #4 weights only)
Yarn Needle

Before you start, gather everything in one place so your process feels smooth and enjoyable.

Note: Thank you to whoever's grandma passed away and donated all her wool yarn to the thrift store...I love it!

Supplies Needed for I-Cord Wire Roses: affiliate links We R Makers Big Happy Jig tool (on sale now!) Caydo Electric i-cord Knitting Machine 3mm Aluminum wire 3mm Rubber End Caps (any color, mine are clear) Yarn (#2, #3, or #4 weights only) Yarn Needle Before you start, gather everything in one place so your process feels smooth and enjoyable. Note: Thank you to whoever's grandma passed away and donated all her wool yarn to the thrift store...I love it!

You’ll want your Big Happy Jig for shaping the wire, and your Caydo knitting machine for creating the i-cord. The included needle from the Caydo kit will be important later when you join the cords together.

For materials, you’ll need 3mm wire to form the structure of your flower, along with yarn in two colors—green for the stem and red (or any color you love) for the bloom. Thrifted wool yarn works beautifully here because it has a bit of grip and softness.

Don’t forget clear plastic end caps—these might seem like a small detail, but they make a huge difference when threading your cord onto the wire.

You’ll want your Big Happy Jig for shaping the wire, and your Caydo knitting machine for creating the i-cord. The included needle from the Caydo kit will be important later when you join the cords together. For materials, you’ll need 3mm wire to form the structure of your flower, along with yarn in two colors—green for the stem and red (or any color you love) for the bloom. Thrifted wool yarn works beautifully here because it has a bit of grip and softness. Don’t forget clear plastic end caps—these might seem like a small detail, but they make a huge difference when threading your cord onto the wire.

STEP 1: Shape the Wire Flower

Using the Big Happy Jig, place the pegs into the board in your desired flower shape.

This is where the jig really shines—it takes the guesswork out of shaping and allows you to create identical flowers every time.

Use the picture above and place your pegs in the same spot to make the same beautiful rose.

Here's the text for it:

Small peg:

L1, G2, O3, M5, L7, O8, E8, M10, F10, C14, R18, J21, J27, J41

Medium disc:

Starting slit wheel: H8, K3, D5, P5

Large disc:

D16, G20, M23, Q20

STEP 1: Shape the Wire Flower Using the Big Happy Jig, place the pegs into the board in your desired flower shape. This is where the jig really shines—it takes the guesswork out of shaping and allows you to create identical flowers every time.

Begin by laying your wire in the slit wheel at H8, wrap the wire up and between 2 small pegs, around the medium size wheel and up and around the top.

Loop around the small pegs and bring it around the medium wheel, curving it all the way to the right side of the flower, creating one more loop before plunging into the stem.

Now you can decide if you want 2 leaves on your stem or just one.
Wrap the wire up and around the leaves.

Wrap your 3mm wire around the pegs, following the shape of the bloom and forming a long stem. As you work, keep your wire snug against the pegs so the lines stay clean and smooth.

Once your shape is complete, gently lift the wire off the jig. You’ll have a formed flower with a stem and a bloom made up of loops for a full rose shape.

Take a moment to adjust the wire if needed. Small tweaks can help refine the shape and make your flower look more natural.

Wrap your 3mm wire around the pegs, following the shape of the bloom and forming a long stem. As you work, keep your wire snug against the pegs so the lines stay clean and smooth. Once your shape is complete, gently lift the wire off the jig. You’ll have a formed flower with a stem and a bloom made up of loops for a full rose shape. Take a moment to adjust the wire if needed. Small tweaks can help refine the shape and make your flower look more natural.

Now, because the pattern is on your Big Happy Jig board, you can make as many of the same flower shape as you want!

This is a great way to manufacture a bunch of Spring flowers easily.

Lift the flower off the board and you'll notice the wire isn't totally perfect...and that's OK! --the icord will cover it up and make it shine beautifully.

STEP 2: Make Your I-Cord

This is where your project really begins, and honestly, it’s one of the most satisfying parts.

Using your Caydo machine, you’ll create long strands of knitted i-cord in both green and red. If you’ve never used an i-cord maker before, it might feel a little new at first, but it quickly becomes second nature.

Again, full tutorial here!

How to Use Caydo I-Cord Maker Knitting Machine Review Learn how to use the Caydo Electric i-cord knitting machine for beautiful, consistent and even i-cord!

Start by carefully threading your yarn through the machine, making sure it’s seated properly in the guides. Once the yarn is in place, turn the machine on and gently guide the yarn as it feeds through. You’ll see the cord forming almost instantly.

What’s great about using a machine instead of knitting by hand is the consistency. Every stitch is even, and the cord has a smooth, tubular shape that slides nicely over wire.

Take your time here and make more cord than you think you’ll need. It’s always better to have extra than to run out halfway through a flower. Plus, once you see how quickly it works, you might find yourself making extra cords just for future ideas.

A helpful tip when working with i-cord is to keep your yarn tension steady. If the yarn pulls too tightly or too loosely, your cord can become uneven. A gentle, consistent feed will give you the best results.

STEP 2: Make Your I-Cord This is where your project really begins, and honestly, it’s one of the most satisfying parts. Using your Caydo machine, you’ll create long strands of knitted i-cord in both green and red. If you’ve never used an i-cord maker before, it might feel a little new at first, but it quickly becomes second nature.

STEP 3: Prepare the Wire Ends

Before adding your cord, you’ll want to protect both your materials and your hands.

Slide clear plastic end caps onto the ends of the wire. This step is easy to overlook, but it makes a huge difference. Without the caps, the sharp wire ends can catch on your yarn and cause fraying or tearing as you thread the cord.

The caps create a smooth surface, allowing the i-cord to glide over the wire more easily. This will save you time and frustration later on.

STEP 3: Prepare the Wire Ends Before adding your cord, you’ll want to protect both your materials and your hands. Slide clear plastic end caps onto the ends of the wire. This step is easy to overlook, but it makes a huge difference. Without the caps, the sharp wire ends can catch on your yarn and cause fraying or tearing as you thread the cord. The caps create a smooth surface, allowing the i-cord to glide over the wire more easily. This will save you time and frustration later on.

STEP 4: Cover Wire with I-Cord

Thread the Red I-Cord onto the Flower Bloom

Once the stem is covered, switch to your red i-cord for the bloom.

Begin threading the cord onto the loops of the flower, working your way from the outer edges toward the center and then down toward the stem. This part is where your flower really comes to life visually.

As you cover each loop, take care to keep the cord smooth and evenly distributed. You don’t want bunching or gaps—just a clean, continuous covering that enhances the shape of the wire underneath.

When you reach the point where the red and green cords meet, you’ll notice a slight separation. That’s completely normal—and the next step will bring everything together seamlessly.

STEP 4: Cover Wire with I-Cord Thread the Red I-Cord onto the Flower Bloom Once the stem is covered, switch to your red i-cord for the bloom. Begin threading the cord onto the loops of the flower, working your way from the outer edges toward the center and then down toward the stem. This part is where your flower really comes to life visually. As you cover each loop, take care to keep the cord smooth and evenly distributed. You don’t want bunching or gaps—just a clean, continuous covering that enhances the shape of the wire underneath. When you reach the point where the red and green cords meet, you’ll notice a slight separation. That’s completely normal—and the next step will bring everything together seamlessly.

Thread the Green I-Cord onto the Stem

Now comes the part where your flower starts to transform.

Take your green i-cord and begin threading it onto the wire from the base of the stem. Gently feed the wire through the center of the cord, working your way upward toward the bloom.

This step requires a bit of patience. Move slowly and carefully to avoid stretching the cord or snagging the yarn. If you feel resistance, try slightly twisting the cord as you push it along the wire—this can help it slide more smoothly.

As the cord moves up the stem, you’ll see the wire disappear inside it, leaving behind a soft, yarn-covered structure that already looks more finished and organic.

Thread the Green I-Cord onto the Stem Now comes the part where your flower starts to transform. Take your green i-cord and begin threading it onto the wire from the base of the stem. Gently feed the wire through the center of the cord, working your way upward toward the bloom. This step requires a bit of patience. Move slowly and carefully to avoid stretching the cord or snagging the yarn. If you feel resistance, try slightly twisting the cord as you push it along the wire—this can help it slide more smoothly. As the cord moves up the stem, you’ll see the wire disappear inside it, leaving behind a soft, yarn-covered structure that already looks more finished and organic.

Join the Two I-CORD Colors Together

This is one of the most satisfying parts of the entire process, and it’s what gives your flower that polished, professional look.

Using the needle from your Caydo kit, thread one of your yarn ends and begin stitching around the circumference of the flower where the red and green cords meet.

Instead of simply tying the cords together, you’ll alternate your stitching between loops—passing through a green loop, then a red loop, and continuing this pattern all the way around the flower.

This technique blends the two sections together, creating a smooth transition between stem and bloom. It almost looks like the cords were made as one continuous piece.

Take your time with this step. Keeping your stitches even and consistent will make a big difference in the final appearance.

Join the Two I-CORD Colors Together This is one of the most satisfying parts of the entire process, and it’s what gives your flower that polished, professional look. Using the needle from your Caydo kit, thread one of your yarn ends and begin stitching around the circumference of the flower where the red and green cords meet. Instead of simply tying the cords together, you’ll alternate your stitching between loops—passing through a green loop, then a red loop, and continuing this pattern all the way around the flower. This technique blends the two sections together, creating a smooth transition between stem and bloom. It almost looks like the cords were made as one continuous piece. Take your time with this step. Keeping your stitches even and consistent will make a big difference in the final appearance.

Secure with a French Knot

Once all the loops are connected, it’s time to secure your work.

Tie a small French knot to hold everything in place. This knot should be tight enough to stay secure, but not so tight that it distorts the shape of the cord.

After tying the knot, gently guide the yarn tail back into the i-cord, hiding it inside the tube. This creates a clean, finished look with no visible ends.

Repeat this process with both colors if needed, ensuring that all joins are secure and tidy.

Secure with a French Knot Once all the loops are connected, it’s time to secure your work. Tie a small French knot to hold everything in place. This knot should be tight enough to stay secure, but not so tight that it distorts the shape of the cord. After tying the knot, gently guide the yarn tail back into the i-cord, hiding it inside the tube. This creates a clean, finished look with no visible ends. Repeat this process with both colors if needed, ensuring that all joins are secure and tidy.

STEP 5: Finish and Refine Your Flower

At this point, your flower is nearly complete.

Tie off any remaining yarn at the ends of the wire, near the caps, and trim any excess. If needed, tuck the ends into the cord for a cleaner finish.

Take a moment to gently adjust the shape of your flower. You can bend the wire slightly to open up the bloom or curve the stem for a more natural look.

This final shaping step is where your handmade art really shines—each flower can have its own subtle personality.

STEP 5: Finish and Refine Your Flower At this point, your flower is nearly complete. Tie off any remaining yarn at the ends of the wire, near the caps, and trim any excess. If needed, tuck the ends into the cord for a cleaner finish. Take a moment to gently adjust the shape of your flower. You can bend the wire slightly to open up the bloom or curve the stem for a more natural look. This final shaping step is where your handmade art really shines—each flower can have its own subtle personality.

🌹 Why You’ll Love This Project

There’s something incredibly satisfying about combining techniques from different crafts. This project blends knitting, a little bit of crochet-style stitching, and sculptural wire work into one cohesive process.

The Big Happy Jig makes shaping your wire flowers effortless and consistent, which is especially helpful when making multiple pieces. Instead of guessing or reshaping each bloom, you’ll get the same clean, polished look every time.

🌹 Why You’ll Love This Project There’s something incredibly satisfying about combining techniques from different crafts. This project blends knitting, a little bit of crochet-style stitching, and sculptural wire work into one cohesive process. The Big Happy Jig makes shaping your wire flowers effortless and consistent, which is especially helpful when making multiple pieces. Instead of guessing or reshaping each bloom, you’ll get the same clean, polished look every time.

Meanwhile, the Caydo i-cord knitting machine takes what would normally be a slow process and turns it into something fast and efficient. You can produce yards of smooth, even cord in just minutes, making it perfect for batch making.

The result? Soft, textured, beautiful flowers that feel high-end and artistic—but are totally doable, even if you’re just getting into yarn crafts.

🌼 Creative Ideas for Your Flowers

Now that you know how to make these beautiful i-cord flowers, the possibilities are endless.

Create a full bouquet for a lasting gift, or display a few stems in a vase for simple, cozy home decor. These also make wonderful embellishments for wrapped gifts or additions to mixed media art pieces.

If you love sharing your projects, these flowers are perfect for styling and posting on Instagram—they have that soft texture and color contrast that really pops in photos.

🌼 Creative Ideas for Your Flowers Now that you know how to make these beautiful i-cord flowers, the possibilities are endless. Create a full bouquet for a lasting gift, or display a few stems in a vase for simple, cozy home decor. These also make wonderful embellishments for wrapped gifts or additions to mixed media art pieces. If you love sharing your projects, these flowers are perfect for styling and posting on Instagram—they have that soft texture and color contrast that really pops in photos.

Helpful Tips When Making I-Cord Flowers

When working on this project, a few small adjustments can make a big difference.

Choose yarn that isn’t too bulky so it slides easily over the wire. If your cord feels tight, slow down and gently twist it as you thread. When shaping your wire, keep your lines smooth and avoid sharp bends that might be harder to cover.

Most importantly, don’t rush the joining step. Taking your time there will give your cord flower a seamless, high-quality finish.

Helpful Tips When Making I-Cord Flowers When working on this project, a few small adjustments can make a big difference. Choose yarn that isn’t too bulky so it slides easily over the wire. If your cord feels tight, slow down and gently twist it as you thread. When shaping your wire, keep your lines smooth and avoid sharp bends that might be harder to cover. Most importantly, don’t rush the joining step. Taking your time there will give your cord flower a seamless, high-quality finish.

That's it!

There’s something truly special about combining knitting, wire, and diy creativity into one project. These i-cord flowers are soft, sculptural, and full of personality—perfect for gifts, decor, or simply enjoying the process of making.

Once you’ve made your first flower, you’ll start imagining all the variations you can create—different colors, different shapes, even experimenting with other types of yarn.

So whether you’re crafting on a quiet afternoon or building up inventory for your next creative idea, this project is a beautiful way to explore new techniques and create something lasting.

Happy crafting, friend 💕