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Ravel cord ( )
Smooth cord used to separate sections of knitting—pulls out easily when no longer needed.
A smooth, strong cord used between sections of knitting to make stitches easy to separate later.
Machine knitters often use a ravel cord when casting on, creating hems, or dividing sections of knitting. The smooth surface prevents fibers from snagging, allowing the cord to pull out cleanly after knitting.
Choose a bright color that contrasts with your yarn so it’s easy to see and remove. Nylon cords are especially popular for their strength and smoothness.
Example
Scrap and Ravel: Knit a few rows of scrap yarn, knit 1 row of ravel cord, continue with main yarn.