knitting my own garters?

[idyllicchick]

I'd cast on half as many stitches as I wanted the finished tube to contain, then knit each stitch, but leave the cast-on stitch on the needle. That'll produce two needles with equal # of stitches on each, and you won't have to sew the end closed.

This is the coolest thing I'll learn today! That's just brilliant! I'll definitely use that 'trick' on my next stockinette-in-the-round scarf. Thank you!

[piperdbh]

I hate to be a wet blanket, but if you have double-pointed needles, you don't need an i-cord maker. You just cast on the desired # of stitches, knit them, slide the work to the other end of the needle, DON'T TURN IT, and keep on knitting. I-cord won't lie flat, though, like Red Raven's garters.

[piperdbh]

This is the coolest thing I'll learn today! That's just brilliant! I'll definitely use that 'trick' on my next stockinette-in-the-round scarf. Thank you!

Thanks for the vote of confidence. It's the same techniques used in making toe-up socks, except with the socks you have to increase at each end.
This 'trick' will give you a nice chain-looking edge, too. Plus, if you want to add fringe on the ends, you don't have to try to get your yarn needle through a seam, 'cause they ain't one.