How to block a knitted I-Cord or ...a new way to block an I-Cord

I am currently working on a new choker pattern, which will be up on the blog very soon. The new choker design (no name yet, and I am having a hard time finding one...) is a quick and simple lace project, which incorporates a cable stitch motif with some simple lace.

Just like the Virga Choker, my last knitted choker pattern, the new design is fastened with two i-cords. These are knitted over six stitches at the beginning and at the end of the project. 

When blocking my first test knit of the new choker over the weekend, I was trying to find a blocking technique, which would add volume as well as stretch the finished i-cords to increase their definition.  

I-cord blocking with double-pointed needle

To this end, I inserted a 5mm double pointed needle into the i-cord and carefully fed this through, ensuring that the needle is completely encased by the fabric. Once the needle is inserted, the i-cord is then fixed to the blocking board to stretch the fabric gently. 

Going forward, I think I will be utilising this technique more often and hope you might give it try, too. 

I-cord blocking with double-pointed needle