diff --git a/include/parrot/encoding.h b/include/parrot/encoding.h
index 84d42eb..5965ad6 100644
--- a/include/parrot/encoding.h
+++ b/include/parrot/encoding.h
@@ -32,6 +32,16 @@ struct string_iterator_t;       /* s. parrot/string.h */
 
 typedef void (*encoding_iter_init_t)(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *src,
         struct string_iterator_t *);
+typedef UINTVAL (*encoding_iter_get_t)(
+    PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const String_iter *i, INTVAL  offset);
+typedef void    (*encoding_iter_skip_t)(
+    PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,       String_iter *i, INTVAL  skip);
+typedef UINTVAL (*encoding_iter_get_and_advance_t)(
+    PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,       String_iter *i);
+typedef void    (*encoding_iter_set_and_advance_t)(
+    PARROT_INTERP,       STRING *str,       String_iter *i, UINTVAL c);
+typedef void    (*encoding_iter_set_position_t)(
+    PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,       String_iter *i, UINTVAL pos);
 
 struct _encoding {
     ARGIN(const char *name);
@@ -47,6 +57,11 @@ struct _encoding {
     encoding_iter_init_t                iter_init;
     encoding_find_cclass_t              find_cclass;
     encoding_hash_t                     hash;
+    encoding_iter_get_t                 iter_get;
+    encoding_iter_skip_t                iter_skip;
+    encoding_iter_get_and_advance_t     iter_get_and_advance;
+    encoding_iter_set_and_advance_t     iter_set_and_advance;
+    encoding_iter_set_position_t        iter_set_position;
 };
 
 typedef struct _encoding ENCODING;
diff --git a/include/parrot/string.h b/include/parrot/string.h
index 8914db3..d02f5c1 100644
--- a/include/parrot/string.h
+++ b/include/parrot/string.h
@@ -38,6 +38,19 @@ typedef struct string_iterator_t {
     void (*set_position)(PARROT_INTERP, struct string_iterator_t *i, UINTVAL pos);
 } String_iter;
 
+#define STRING_ITER_INIT(i, iter) \
+    (iter)->charpos = (iter)->bytepos = 0
+#define STRING_ITER_GET(i, str, iter, offset) \
+    ((str)->encoding)->iter_get((i), (str), (iter), (offset))
+#define STRING_ITER_SKIP(i, str, iter, skip) \
+    ((str)->encoding)->iter_skip((i), (str), (iter), (skip))
+#define STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(i, str, iter) \
+    ((str)->encoding)->iter_get_and_advance((i), (str), (iter))
+#define STRING_ITER_SET_AND_ADVANCE(i, str, iter, c) \
+    ((str)->encoding)->iter_set_and_advance((i), (str), (iter), (c))
+#define STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(i, str, iter, pos) \
+    ((str)->encoding)->iter_set_position((i), (str), (iter), (pos))
+
 #define STREQ(x, y)  (strcmp((x), (y))==0)
 #define STRNEQ(x, y) (strcmp((x), (y))!=0)
 
diff --git a/include/parrot/string_funcs.h b/include/parrot/string_funcs.h
index 7c35265..63501fe 100644
--- a/include/parrot/string_funcs.h
+++ b/include/parrot/string_funcs.h
@@ -226,6 +226,31 @@ PARROT_PURE_FUNCTION
 INTVAL Parrot_str_is_null(SHIM_INTERP, ARGIN_NULLOK(const STRING *s));
 
 PARROT_EXPORT
+INTVAL Parrot_str_iter_index(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *src),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *start),
+    ARGOUT(String_iter *end),
+    ARGIN(const STRING *search))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(4)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(5)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*start)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*end);
+
+PARROT_EXPORT
+PARROT_CANNOT_RETURN_NULL
+PARROT_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
+STRING * Parrot_str_iter_substr(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *l),
+    ARGIN_NULLOK(const String_iter *r))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+PARROT_EXPORT
 PARROT_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
 PARROT_CANNOT_RETURN_NULL
 STRING* Parrot_str_join(PARROT_INTERP,
@@ -559,6 +584,16 @@ STRING* Parrot_str_from_uint(PARROT_INTERP,
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(s))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_Parrot_str_is_null __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (0)
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_Parrot_str_iter_index __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(src) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(start) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(end) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(search))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_Parrot_str_iter_substr __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(l))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_Parrot_str_join __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(ar))
diff --git a/src/io/utf8.c b/src/io/utf8.c
index a4dc6a4..1c5b034 100644
--- a/src/io/utf8.c
+++ b/src/io/utf8.c
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Parrot_io_read_utf8(PARROT_INTERP, ARGMOD(PMC *filehandle),
     s->encoding = Parrot_utf8_encoding_ptr;
 
     /* count chars, verify utf8 */
-    Parrot_utf8_encoding_ptr->iter_init(interp, s, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
     while (iter.bytepos < s->bufused) {
         if (iter.bytepos + 4 > s->bufused) {
@@ -84,8 +84,6 @@ Parrot_io_read_utf8(PARROT_INTERP, ARGMOD(PMC *filehandle),
 
                 s->strlen    = iter.charpos;
                 s            = Parrot_str_concat(interp, s, s2);
-                /* String is updated. Poke into iterator to replace old string */
-                iter.str     = s;
                 *buf         = s;
                 len         += len2 + 1;
 
@@ -93,7 +91,7 @@ Parrot_io_read_utf8(PARROT_INTERP, ARGMOD(PMC *filehandle),
             }
         }
 ok:
-        iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+        Parrot_utf8_encoding_ptr->iter_get_and_advance(interp, *buf, &iter);
     }
     s->strlen = iter.charpos;
     return len;
diff --git a/src/pmc/stringiterator.pmc b/src/pmc/stringiterator.pmc
index ce9001c..bda81b7 100644
--- a/src/pmc/stringiterator.pmc
+++ b/src/pmc/stringiterator.pmc
@@ -27,11 +27,9 @@ Implementation of Iterator for String PMC.
 /* HEADERIZER END: static */
 
 pmclass StringIterator auto_attrs extends Iterator {
-    ATTR PMC    *string;    /* String to iterate over */
-    ATTR INTVAL  pos;       /* Current position of iterator for forward iterator */
-                            /* Previous position of iterator for reverse iterator */
-    ATTR INTVAL  length;    /* Length of C<string> */
-    ATTR INTVAL  reverse;   /* Direction of iteration. 1 - for reverse iteration */
+    ATTR STRING      *str_val;   /* String to iterate over */
+    ATTR String_iter  iter;      /* String iterator */
+    ATTR INTVAL       reverse;   /* Direction of iteration. 1 - for reverse iteration */
 
 /*
 
@@ -43,10 +41,13 @@ Initialize StringIterator.
 
 */
     VTABLE void init_pmc(PMC *string) {
-        SET_ATTR_string(INTERP, SELF, string);
+        String_iter * const iter    = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING      * const str_val = VTABLE_get_string(INTERP, string);
+
+        SET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(INTERP, iter);
+        SET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, SELF, ITERATE_FROM_START);
 
-        /* by default, iterate from start */
-        SELF.set_integer_native(ITERATE_FROM_START);
         PObj_custom_mark_SET(SELF);
     }
 
@@ -61,9 +62,10 @@ Marks the current idx/key and the aggregate as live.
 */
 
     VTABLE void mark() {
-        PMC *string;
-        GET_ATTR_string(INTERP, SELF, string);
-        Parrot_gc_mark_PMC_alive(INTERP, string);
+        STRING *str_val;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        Parrot_gc_mark_STRING_alive(INTERP, str_val);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -74,15 +76,21 @@ Marks the current idx/key and the aggregate as live.
 
 */
     VTABLE PMC* clone() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
-        PMC                              * const clone =
-                Parrot_pmc_new_init(INTERP, enum_class_StringIterator, attrs->string);
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const clone_attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(clone);
-
-        clone_attrs->pos     = attrs->pos;
-        clone_attrs->reverse = attrs->reverse;
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        PMC         *clone, *str_pmc;
+        String_iter *clone_iter;
+        STRING      *str_val;
+        INTVAL       reverse;
+
+        str_pmc = Parrot_pmc_new(INTERP, enum_class_String);
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        VTABLE_set_string_native(INTERP, str_pmc, str_val);
+        clone = Parrot_pmc_new_init(INTERP, enum_class_StringIterator, str_pmc);
+        clone_iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(clone)->iter;
+        *clone_iter = *iter;
+        GET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, SELF, reverse);
+        SET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, clone, reverse);
+
         return clone;
     }
 
@@ -111,12 +119,17 @@ Returns the number of remaining elements in the C<string>.
 */
 
     VTABLE INTVAL elements() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
-        if (attrs->reverse)
-            return attrs->pos;
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
+        INTVAL  reverse;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        GET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, SELF, reverse);
+
+        if (reverse)
+            return iter->charpos;
         else
-            return attrs->length - attrs->pos;
+            return str_val->strlen - iter->charpos;
     }
 
     VTABLE INTVAL get_integer() {
@@ -137,20 +150,19 @@ Reset the Iterator. C<value> must be one of
 */
 
     VTABLE void set_integer_native(INTVAL value) {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
-        switch (value) {
-          case ITERATE_FROM_START:
-            attrs->reverse   = 0;
-            attrs->pos       = 0;
-            attrs->length    = VTABLE_elements(INTERP, attrs->string);
-            break;
-          case ITERATE_FROM_END:
-            attrs->reverse   = 1;
-            attrs->pos       = attrs->length
-                             = VTABLE_elements(INTERP, attrs->string);
-            break;
-          default:
+        STRING *str_val;
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (value == ITERATE_FROM_START) {
+            SET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, SELF, 0);
+            STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(INTERP, str_val, iter, 0);
+        }
+        else if (value == ITERATE_FROM_END) {
+            SET_ATTR_reverse(INTERP, SELF, 1);
+            STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(INTERP, str_val, iter, str_val->strlen);
+        }
+        else {
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_INVALID_OPERATION,
                     "Wrong direction for StringIterator");
         }
@@ -167,9 +179,13 @@ Returns this Iterator's string.
 */
 
     VTABLE PMC *get_pmc() {
-        PMC *string;
-        GET_ATTR_string(INTERP, SELF, string);
-        return string ? string : PMCNULL;
+        PMC * const string = Parrot_pmc_new(INTERP, Parrot_get_ctx_HLL_type(
+            interp, enum_class_String));
+        STRING *str_val;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        VTABLE_set_string_native(interp, string, str_val);
+        return string;
     }
 
 /*
@@ -182,17 +198,20 @@ Shift next character from C<string> as PMC.
 
 */
     VTABLE PMC *shift_pmc() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
         PMC *ret;
+        STRING *str_val, *substr;
+        const String_iter old_iter = *iter;
 
-        if (attrs->pos >= attrs->length)
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (iter->charpos >= str_val->strlen)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
         ret = Parrot_pmc_new(INTERP, Parrot_get_ctx_HLL_type(interp, enum_class_String));
-        VTABLE_set_string_native(INTERP, ret,
-                VTABLE_get_string_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, attrs->pos++));
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, iter, 1);
+        substr = Parrot_str_iter_substr(INTERP, str_val, &old_iter, iter);
+        VTABLE_set_string_native(INTERP, ret, substr);
         return ret;
     }
 
@@ -206,14 +225,17 @@ Shift next character from C<string>.
 
 */
     VTABLE STRING *shift_string() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
+        const String_iter old_iter = *iter;
 
-        if (attrs->pos >= attrs->length)
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (iter->charpos >= str_val->strlen)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
-        return VTABLE_get_string_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, attrs->pos++);
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, iter, 1);
+        return Parrot_str_iter_substr(INTERP, str_val, &old_iter, iter);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -226,14 +248,15 @@ Shift next character code from C<string>.
 
 */
     VTABLE INTVAL shift_integer() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
 
-        if (attrs->pos >= attrs->length)
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (iter->charpos >= str_val->strlen)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
-        return VTABLE_get_integer_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, attrs->pos++);
+        return STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(INTERP, str_val, iter);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -246,17 +269,21 @@ Shift "next" character from C<string> for reverse iterator as PMC.
 
 */
     VTABLE PMC *pop_pmc() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val, *substr;
         PMC *ret;
+        const String_iter old_iter = *iter;
 
-        if (!STATICSELF.get_bool())
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        /* Shouldn't this test be (iter->charpos <= 0) ? */
+        if (SELF.elements() <= 0)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
         ret = Parrot_pmc_new(INTERP, Parrot_get_ctx_HLL_type(interp, enum_class_String));
-        VTABLE_set_string_native(INTERP, ret,
-                VTABLE_get_string_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, --attrs->pos));
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, iter, -1);
+        substr = Parrot_str_iter_substr(INTERP, str_val, iter, &old_iter);
+        VTABLE_set_string_native(INTERP, ret, substr);
         return ret;
     }
 
@@ -270,14 +297,18 @@ Shift "next" character from C<string> for reverse iterator.
 
 */
     VTABLE STRING *pop_string() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
+        const String_iter old_iter = *iter;
 
-        if (!STATICSELF.get_bool())
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        /* Shouldn't this test be (iter->charpos <= 0) ? */
+        if (SELF.elements() <= 0)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
-        return VTABLE_get_string_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, --attrs->pos);
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, iter, -1);
+        return Parrot_str_iter_substr(INTERP, str_val, iter, &old_iter);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -290,14 +321,17 @@ Shift "next" character code from C<string> for reverse iterator.
 
 */
     VTABLE INTVAL pop_integer() {
-        Parrot_StringIterator_attributes * const attrs =
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
 
-        if (!STATICSELF.get_bool())
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        /* Shouldn't this test be (iter->charpos <= 0) ? */
+        if (SELF.elements() <= 0)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
                 "StopIteration");
 
-        return VTABLE_get_integer_keyed_int(INTERP, attrs->string, --attrs->pos);
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, iter, -1);
+        return STRING_ITER_GET(INTERP, str_val, iter, 0);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -311,8 +345,16 @@ Get integer value of current position plus idx.
 */
 
     VTABLE INTVAL get_integer_keyed_int(INTVAL idx) {
-        return VTABLE_get_integer_keyed_int(INTERP, STATICSELF.get_pmc(),
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->pos + idx);
+        String_iter * const iter = &PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
+        const UINTVAL offset = iter->charpos + idx;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (offset >= str_val->strlen)
+            Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
+                "StopIteration");
+
+        return STRING_ITER_GET(INTERP, str_val, iter, idx);
     }
 
 /*
@@ -326,8 +368,22 @@ Get string value of current position plus idx.
 */
 
     VTABLE STRING *get_string_keyed_int(INTVAL idx) {
-        return VTABLE_get_string_keyed_int(INTERP, STATICSELF.get_pmc(),
-                PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->pos + idx);
+        String_iter iter = PARROT_STRINGITERATOR(SELF)->iter;
+        String_iter next_iter;
+        STRING *str_val;
+        const UINTVAL offset = iter.charpos + idx;
+
+        GET_ATTR_str_val(INTERP, SELF, str_val);
+        if (offset >= str_val->strlen)
+            Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(INTERP, NULL, EXCEPTION_OUT_OF_BOUNDS,
+                "StopIteration");
+
+        if (idx != 0)
+            STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, &iter, idx);
+        next_iter = iter;
+        STRING_ITER_SKIP(INTERP, str_val, &next_iter, 1);
+
+        return Parrot_str_iter_substr(INTERP, str_val, &iter, &next_iter);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/string/api.c b/src/string/api.c
index e37354e..e2a558e 100644
--- a/src/string/api.c
+++ b/src/string/api.c
@@ -1104,6 +1104,104 @@ Parrot_str_substr(PARROT_INTERP,
     return CHARSET_GET_CODEPOINTS(interp, src, true_offset, true_length);
 }
 
+/*
+
+=item C<STRING * Parrot_str_iter_substr(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *l, const String_iter *r)>
+
+Returns the substring between iterators C<l> and C<r>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+PARROT_EXPORT
+PARROT_CANNOT_RETURN_NULL
+PARROT_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
+STRING *
+Parrot_str_iter_substr(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *l), ARGIN_NULLOK(const String_iter *r))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(Parrot_str_iter_substr)
+    STRING *dest = Parrot_str_copy(interp, str);
+
+    dest->strstart = (char *)dest->strstart + l->bytepos;
+
+    if (r == NULL) {
+        dest->bufused = str->bufused - l->bytepos;
+        dest->strlen  = str->strlen  - l->charpos;
+    }
+    else {
+        dest->bufused = r->bytepos - l->bytepos;
+        dest->strlen  = r->charpos - l->charpos;
+    }
+
+    dest->hashval = 0;
+
+    return dest;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<INTVAL Parrot_str_iter_index(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *src,
+String_iter *start, String_iter *end, const STRING *search)>
+
+Find the next occurence of STRING C<search> in STRING C<src> starting at
+String_iter C<start>. If C<search> is found C<start> is modified to mark the
+beginning of C<search> and String_iter C<end> is set to the character after
+C<search> in C<src>.  Returns the character position where C<search> was found
+or -1 if it wasn't found.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+PARROT_EXPORT
+INTVAL
+Parrot_str_iter_index(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *src),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *start), ARGOUT(String_iter *end),
+    ARGIN(const STRING *search))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(Parrot_str_iter_index)
+    String_iter search_iter, search_start, next_start;
+    const UINTVAL len = search->strlen;
+    UINTVAL c0;
+
+    if (len == 0) {
+        *end = *start;
+        return start->charpos;
+    }
+
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &search_iter);
+    c0 = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, search, &search_iter);
+    search_start = search_iter;
+    next_start = *start;
+
+    while (start->charpos + len <= src->strlen) {
+        UINTVAL c1 = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &next_start);
+
+        if (c1 == c0) {
+            UINTVAL c2;
+            *end = next_start;
+
+            do {
+                if (search_iter.charpos >= len)
+                    return start->charpos;
+                c1 = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, end);
+                c2 = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, search, &search_iter);
+            } while (c1 == c2);
+
+            search_iter = search_start;
+        }
+
+        *start = next_start;
+    }
+
+    return -1;
+}
+
 
 /*
 
@@ -1145,7 +1243,7 @@ Parrot_str_replace(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
     UINTVAL         true_offset = (UINTVAL)offset;
     UINTVAL         true_length = (UINTVAL)length;
 
-    UINTVAL         start_byte, end_byte;
+    UINTVAL         start_byte, end_byte, start_char, end_char;
     INTVAL          buf_size;
 
     if (STRING_IS_NULL(src)) {
@@ -1181,13 +1279,15 @@ Parrot_str_replace(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
     }
 
     /* get byte position of the part that will be replaced */
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
-    iter.set_position(interp, &iter, true_offset);
+    STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(interp, src, &iter, true_offset);
     start_byte = iter.bytepos;
+    start_char = iter.charpos;
 
-    iter.set_position(interp, &iter, true_offset + true_length);
+    STRING_ITER_SKIP(interp, src, &iter, true_length);
     end_byte   = iter.bytepos;
+    end_char   = iter.charpos;
 
     /* not possible.... */
     if (end_byte < start_byte)
@@ -1226,7 +1326,7 @@ Parrot_str_replace(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
             (char *)src->strstart + end_byte,
             src->bufused - end_byte);
 
-    dest->strlen  = CHARSET_CODEPOINTS(interp, dest);
+    dest->strlen  = src->strlen - (end_char - start_char) + rep->strlen;
     dest->hashval = 0;
 
     return dest;
@@ -1252,7 +1352,7 @@ Parrot_str_chopn(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *s), INTVAL n)
     ASSERT_ARGS(Parrot_str_chopn)
 
     STRING * const chopped = Parrot_str_copy(interp, s);
-    UINTVAL new_length, uchar_size;
+    UINTVAL new_length;
 
     if (n < 0) {
         new_length = -n;
@@ -1273,23 +1373,23 @@ Parrot_str_chopn(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *s), INTVAL n)
         return chopped;
     }
 
-    uchar_size      = chopped->bufused / chopped->strlen;
-    chopped->strlen = new_length;
-
     if (chopped->encoding == Parrot_fixed_8_encoding_ptr) {
         chopped->bufused = new_length;
     }
     else if (chopped->encoding == Parrot_ucs2_encoding_ptr) {
+        const UINTVAL uchar_size = chopped->bufused / chopped->strlen;
         chopped->bufused = new_length * uchar_size;
     }
     else {
         String_iter iter;
 
-        ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, s, &iter);
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, new_length);
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+        STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(interp, s, &iter, new_length);
         chopped->bufused = iter.bytepos;
     }
 
+    chopped->strlen = new_length;
+
     return chopped;
 }
 
@@ -1860,13 +1960,12 @@ Parrot_str_to_int(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN_NULLOK(const STRING *s))
         int                 sign      = 1;
         UINTVAL             i         = 0;
         String_iter         iter;
-        UINTVAL             offs;
         number_parse_state  state = parse_start;
 
-        ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, s, &iter);
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
-        for (offs = 0; (state != parse_end) && (offs < s->strlen); ++offs) {
-            const UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+        while (state != parse_end && iter.charpos < s->strlen) {
+            const UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, s, &iter);
             /* Check for overflow */
             if (c > 255)
                 break;
@@ -1956,17 +2055,16 @@ Parrot_str_to_num(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *s))
     int           d_length  = 0;
     int           check_nan = 0;    /* Check for NaN and Inf after main loop */
     String_iter iter;
-    UINTVAL     offs;
     number_parse_state state = parse_start;
 
     if (STRING_IS_NULL(s))
         return 0.0;
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, s, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
     /* Handcrafter FSM to read float value */
-    for (offs = 0; (state != parse_end) && (offs < s->strlen); ++offs) {
-        const UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    while (state != parse_end && iter.charpos < s->strlen) {
+        const UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, s, &iter);
         /* Check for overflow */
         if (c > 255)
             break;
@@ -2417,11 +2515,11 @@ Parrot_str_escape_truncate(PARROT_INTERP,
             Parrot_fixed_8_encoding_ptr, Parrot_ascii_charset_ptr, 0);
 
     /* more work TODO */
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
     dp = (unsigned char *)result->strstart;
 
     for (i = 0; len > 0; --len) {
-        UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+        UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (c < 0x7f) {
             /* process ASCII chars */
             if (i >= charlen - 2) {
@@ -2561,17 +2659,17 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
     Parrot_gc_allocate_string_storage(interp, result, reserved);
     result->bufused = reserved;
 
-    src->encoding->iter_init(interp, src, &itersrc);
-    encoding->iter_init(interp, result, &iterdest);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &itersrc);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iterdest);
     while (itersrc.bytepos < srclen) {
-        INTVAL c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+        INTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
         INTVAL next;
 
         do {
             pending = 0;
             next = c;
             if (c == '\\') {
-                c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                 switch (c) {
                 /* Common one char sequences */
                 case 'a': next = '\a'; break;
@@ -2584,7 +2682,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                 case 'e': next = '\e'; break;
                 /* Escape character */
                 case 'c':
-                    c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                    c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                     /* This assumes ascii-alike encoding */
                     if (c < 'A' || c > 'Z')
                         throw_illegal_escape(interp);
@@ -2592,11 +2690,11 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                     break;
                 case 'x':
                     digcount = 0;
-                    c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                    c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                     if (c == '{') {
                         /* \x{h..h} 1..8 hex digits */
                         while (itersrc.bytepos < srclen) {
-                            c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                            c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                             if (c == '}')
                                 break;
                             if (!isxdigit(c))
@@ -2620,7 +2718,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                                 pending = 0;
                                 break;
                             }
-                            c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                            c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                         }
                     }
                     if (digcount == 0)
@@ -2631,7 +2729,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                 case 'u':
                     /* \uhhhh 4 hex digits */
                     for (digcount = 0; digcount < 4; ++digcount) {
-                        c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                        c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                         if (!isxdigit(c))
                             throw_illegal_escape(interp);
                         digbuf[digcount] = c;
@@ -2642,7 +2740,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                 case 'U':
                     /* \Uhhhhhhhh 8 hex digits */
                     for (digcount = 0; digcount < 8; ++digcount) {
-                        c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                        c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                         if (!isxdigit(c))
                             throw_illegal_escape(interp);
                         digbuf[digcount] = c;
@@ -2655,7 +2753,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                     /* \ooo 1..3 oct digits */
                     digbuf[0] = c;
                     for (digcount = 1; digcount < 3; ++digcount) {
-                        c = itersrc.get_and_advance(interp, &itersrc);
+                        c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &itersrc);
                         if (c < '0' || c > '7')
                             break;
                         digbuf[digcount] = c;
@@ -2669,7 +2767,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape_string(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
                     next = c;
                 }
             }
-            iterdest.set_and_advance(interp, &iterdest, next);
+            STRING_ITER_SET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, result, &iterdest, next);
         } while (pending);
     }
     result->bufused = iterdest.bytepos;
@@ -2750,7 +2848,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape(PARROT_INTERP,
         encoding = result->encoding;
     }
 
-    encoding->iter_init(interp, result, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
     for (offs = d = 0; offs < clength; ++offs) {
         r = (Parrot_UInt4)((unsigned char *)result->strstart)[offs];
@@ -2773,7 +2871,7 @@ Parrot_str_unescape(PARROT_INTERP,
         }
 
         PARROT_ASSERT(d < offs);
-        iter.set_and_advance(interp, &iter, r);
+        encoding->iter_set_and_advance(interp, result, &iter, r);
         ++d;
     }
 
@@ -3271,8 +3369,10 @@ Parrot_str_split(PARROT_INTERP,
     ARGIN_NULLOK(const STRING *delim), ARGIN_NULLOK(STRING *str))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(Parrot_str_split)
-    PMC    *res;
-    INTVAL  slen, dlen, ps, pe;
+    PMC     *res;
+    STRING  *tstr;
+    UINTVAL  slen, dlen;
+    String_iter iter;
 
     if (STRING_IS_NULL(delim) || STRING_IS_NULL(str))
         return PMCNULL;
@@ -3284,44 +3384,38 @@ Parrot_str_split(PARROT_INTERP,
     if (!slen)
         return res;
 
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
     dlen = Parrot_str_length(interp, delim);
 
     if (dlen == 0) {
-        int i;
         VTABLE_set_integer_native(interp, res, slen);
 
-        for (i = 0; i < slen; ++i) {
-            STRING * const p = Parrot_str_substr(interp, str, i, 1);
-            VTABLE_set_string_keyed_int(interp, res, i, p);
-        }
-
-        return res;
-    }
+        do {
+            const String_iter old_iter = iter;
 
-    pe = Parrot_str_find_index(interp, str, delim, 0);
+            STRING_ITER_SKIP(interp, str, &iter, 1);
+            tstr = Parrot_str_iter_substr(interp, str, &old_iter, &iter);
+            VTABLE_set_string_keyed_int(interp, res, old_iter.charpos, tstr);
+        } while (iter.charpos < slen);
 
-    if (pe < 0) {
-        VTABLE_push_string(interp, res, str);
         return res;
     }
 
-    ps = 0;
-
-    while (ps <= slen) {
-        const int      pl   = pe - ps;
-        STRING * const tstr = Parrot_str_substr(interp, str, ps, pl);
-
-        VTABLE_push_string(interp, res, tstr);
-        ps = pe + Parrot_str_length(interp, delim);
+    do {
+        String_iter start, end;
+        INTVAL pos;
 
-        if (ps > slen)
+        start = iter;
+        if (Parrot_str_iter_index(interp, str, &start, &end, delim) < 0)
             break;
 
-        pe = Parrot_str_find_index(interp, str, delim, ps);
+        tstr = Parrot_str_iter_substr(interp, str, &iter, &start);
+        VTABLE_push_string(interp, res, tstr);
+        iter = end;
+    } while (iter.charpos < slen);
 
-        if (pe < 0)
-            pe = slen;
-    }
+    tstr = Parrot_str_iter_substr(interp, str, &iter, NULL);
+    VTABLE_push_string(interp, res, tstr);
 
     return res;
 }
diff --git a/src/string/charset/ascii.c b/src/string/charset/ascii.c
index 5c8371a..761a60e 100644
--- a/src/string/charset/ascii.c
+++ b/src/string/charset/ascii.c
@@ -201,7 +201,6 @@ to_ascii(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(to_ascii)
     String_iter iter;
-    UINTVAL offs;
     unsigned char *p;
     const UINTVAL len = src->strlen;
 
@@ -209,9 +208,9 @@ to_ascii(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
     STRING * const dest = Parrot_str_clone(interp, src);
 
     p = (unsigned char *)dest->strstart;
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
-    for (offs = 0; offs < len; ++offs) {
-        const UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < len) {
+        const UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (c >= 128)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LOSSY_CONVERSION,
                     "can't convert unicode string to ascii");
@@ -493,11 +492,10 @@ ascii_compare(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *lhs), ARGIN(const STRING *rhs))
             return ret_val < 0 ? -1 : 1;
     }
     else {
-        UINTVAL offs;
-        ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, rhs, &iter);
-        for (offs = 0; offs < min_len; ++offs) {
-            const UINTVAL cl = ENCODING_GET_BYTE(interp, lhs, offs);
-            const UINTVAL cr = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+        while (iter.charpos < min_len) {
+            const UINTVAL cl = ENCODING_GET_BYTE(interp, lhs, iter.charpos);
+            const UINTVAL cr = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, rhs, &iter);
             if (cl != cr)
                 return cl < cr ? -1 : 1;
         }
@@ -531,35 +529,12 @@ mixed_cs_index(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src), ARGIN(const STRING *sear
     UINTVAL offs)
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(mixed_cs_index)
+    String_iter start, end;
 
-    if (search->strlen <= src->strlen) {
-        String_iter src_iter, search_iter;
-        const UINTVAL maxpos = src->strlen - search->strlen + 1;
-        const UINTVAL cfirst = Parrot_str_indexed(interp, search, 0);
-
-        ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &src_iter);
-        src_iter.set_position(interp, &src_iter, offs);
-        ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, search, &search_iter);
-
-        while (src_iter.charpos < maxpos) {
-            if (cfirst == src_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &src_iter)) {
-                const INTVAL next_pos = src_iter.charpos;
-                const INTVAL next_byte = src_iter.bytepos;
-                UINTVAL len;
-                search_iter.set_position(interp, &search_iter, 1);
-                for (len = search->strlen - 1; len; --len) {
-                    if ((src_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &src_iter)) !=
-                            (search_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &search_iter)))
-                        break;
-                }
-                if (len == 0)
-                    return next_pos - 1;
-                src_iter.charpos = next_pos;
-                src_iter.bytepos = next_byte;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    return -1;
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &start);
+    STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(interp, src, &start, offs);
+
+    return Parrot_str_iter_index(interp, src, &start, &end, search);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -638,13 +613,12 @@ static UINTVAL
 validate(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(validate)
-    INTVAL      offset;
     String_iter iter;
     const INTVAL length = Parrot_str_length(interp, src);
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
-    for (offset = 0; offset < length; ++offset) {
-        const UINTVAL codepoint = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < length) {
+        const UINTVAL codepoint = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (codepoint >= 0x80)
             return 0;
     }
diff --git a/src/string/charset/iso-8859-1.c b/src/string/charset/iso-8859-1.c
index 8e965fa..b795e0d 100644
--- a/src/string/charset/iso-8859-1.c
+++ b/src/string/charset/iso-8859-1.c
@@ -178,24 +178,24 @@ static STRING *
 to_iso_8859_1(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(to_iso_8859_1)
-    UINTVAL offs, src_len;
+    UINTVAL src_len;
     String_iter iter;
     /* iso-8859-1 is never bigger then source */
     STRING * dest = Parrot_str_clone(interp, src);
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
     src_len = src->strlen;
     dest->bufused = src_len;
-    dest->charset = Parrot_iso_8859_1_charset_ptr;
-    dest->encoding = Parrot_fixed_8_encoding_ptr;
-    for (offs = 0; offs < src_len; ++offs) {
-        const UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < src_len) {
+        const UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (c >= 0x100)
             Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LOSSY_CONVERSION,
                 "lossy conversion to iso-8559-1");
 
-        ENCODING_SET_BYTE(interp, dest, offs, c);
+        Parrot_fixed_8_encoding_ptr->set_byte(interp, dest, iter.charpos - 1, c);
     }
+    dest->charset = Parrot_iso_8859_1_charset_ptr;
+    dest->encoding = Parrot_fixed_8_encoding_ptr;
     return dest;
 }
 
@@ -221,18 +221,18 @@ to_unicode(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
     dest->charset = Parrot_unicode_charset_ptr;
     dest->encoding = CHARSET_GET_PREFERRED_ENCODING(interp, dest);
     Parrot_gc_reallocate_string_storage(interp, dest, src->strlen);
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, dest, &iter);
-    for (offs = 0; offs < src->strlen; ++offs) {
-        const UINTVAL c = ENCODING_GET_BYTE(interp, src, offs);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < src->strlen) {
+        const UINTVAL c = ENCODING_GET_BYTE(interp, src, iter.charpos);
 
         if (iter.bytepos >= Buffer_buflen(dest) - 4) {
-            UINTVAL need = (UINTVAL)((src->strlen - offs) * 1.5);
+            UINTVAL need = (UINTVAL)((src->strlen - iter.charpos) * 1.5);
             if (need < 16)
                 need = 16;
             Parrot_gc_reallocate_string_storage(interp, dest,
                     Buffer_buflen(dest) + need);
         }
-        iter.set_and_advance(interp, &iter, c);
+        STRING_ITER_SET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, dest, &iter, c);
     }
     dest->bufused = iter.bytepos;
     dest->strlen  = iter.charpos;
diff --git a/src/string/charset/unicode.c b/src/string/charset/unicode.c
index e1de74c..03555e2 100644
--- a/src/string/charset/unicode.c
+++ b/src/string/charset/unicode.c
@@ -651,20 +651,20 @@ compare(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *lhs), ARGIN(const STRING *rhs))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(compare)
     String_iter l_iter, r_iter;
-    UINTVAL offs, cl, cr, min_len, l_len, r_len;
+    UINTVAL min_len, l_len, r_len;
 
     /* TODO make optimized equal - strings are equal length then already */
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, lhs, &l_iter);
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, rhs, &r_iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &l_iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &r_iter);
 
     l_len = lhs->strlen;
     r_len = rhs->strlen;
 
     min_len = l_len > r_len ? r_len : l_len;
 
-    for (offs = 0; offs < min_len; ++offs) {
-        cl = l_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &l_iter);
-        cr = r_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &r_iter);
+    while (l_iter.charpos < min_len) {
+        const UINTVAL cl = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, lhs, &l_iter);
+        const UINTVAL cr = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, rhs, &r_iter);
 
         if (cl != cr)
             return cl < cr ? -1 : 1;
@@ -716,13 +716,12 @@ static UINTVAL
 validate(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(validate)
-    INTVAL      offset;
     String_iter iter;
     const INTVAL length = Parrot_str_length(interp, src);
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
-    for (offset = 0; offset < length; ++offset) {
-        const UINTVAL codepoint = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < length) {
+        const UINTVAL codepoint = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         /* Check for Unicode non-characters */
         if (codepoint >= 0xfdd0
         && (codepoint <= 0xfdef || (codepoint & 0xfffe) == 0xfffe)
@@ -877,24 +876,22 @@ find_cclass(PARROT_INTERP, INTVAL flags, ARGIN(const STRING *src), UINTVAL offse
     ASSERT_ARGS(find_cclass)
     String_iter iter;
     UINTVAL     codepoint;
-    UINTVAL     pos = offset;
     UINTVAL     end = offset + count;
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
-
-    iter.set_position(interp, &iter, pos);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(interp, src, &iter, offset);
 
     end = src->strlen < end ? src->strlen : end;
 
-    for (; pos < end; ++pos) {
-        codepoint = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < end) {
+        codepoint = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (codepoint >= 256) {
             if (u_iscclass(interp, codepoint, flags))
-                    return pos;
+                    return iter.charpos - 1;
         }
         else {
             if (Parrot_iso_8859_1_typetable[codepoint] & flags)
-                return pos;
+                return iter.charpos - 1;
         }
     }
 
@@ -920,37 +917,36 @@ find_not_cclass(PARROT_INTERP, INTVAL flags, ARGIN(const STRING *src),
     ASSERT_ARGS(find_not_cclass)
     String_iter iter;
     UINTVAL     codepoint;
-    UINTVAL     pos = offset;
     UINTVAL     end = offset + count;
     int         bit;
 
-    if (pos > src->strlen) {
+    if (offset > src->strlen) {
         /* XXX: Throw in this case? */
         return offset + count;
     }
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
-    if (pos)
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, pos);
+    if (offset)
+        STRING_ITER_SET_POSITION(interp, src, &iter, offset);
 
     end = src->strlen < end ? src->strlen : end;
 
     if (flags == enum_cclass_any)
         return end;
 
-    for (; pos < end; ++pos) {
-        codepoint = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < end) {
+        codepoint = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         if (codepoint >= 256) {
             for (bit = enum_cclass_uppercase;
                     bit <= enum_cclass_word ; bit <<= 1) {
                 if ((bit & flags) && !u_iscclass(interp, codepoint, bit))
-                    return pos;
+                    return iter.charpos - 1;
             }
         }
         else {
             if (!(Parrot_iso_8859_1_typetable[codepoint] & flags))
-                return pos;
+                return iter.charpos - 1;
         }
     }
 
@@ -978,8 +974,8 @@ string_from_codepoint(PARROT_INTERP, UINTVAL codepoint)
 
     dest->strlen = 1;
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, dest, &iter);
-    iter.set_and_advance(interp, &iter, codepoint);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_SET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, dest, &iter, codepoint);
     dest->bufused = iter.bytepos;
 
     return dest;
@@ -1002,13 +998,12 @@ compute_hash(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src), size_t seed)
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(compute_hash)
     String_iter iter;
-    UINTVAL     offs;
     size_t      hashval = seed;
 
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
-    for (offs = 0; offs < src->strlen; ++offs) {
-        const UINTVAL c = iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+    while (iter.charpos < src->strlen) {
+        const UINTVAL c = STRING_ITER_GET_AND_ADVANCE(interp, src, &iter);
         hashval += hashval << 5;
         hashval += c;
     }
diff --git a/src/string/encoding/fixed_8.c b/src/string/encoding/fixed_8.c
index 52008a5..ec51147 100644
--- a/src/string/encoding/fixed_8.c
+++ b/src/string/encoding/fixed_8.c
@@ -46,6 +46,48 @@ static UINTVAL fixed8_get_next(PARROT_INTERP, ARGMOD(String_iter *iter))
         __attribute__nonnull__(2)
         FUNC_MODIFIES(*iter);
 
+static UINTVAL fixed8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *iter),
+    INTVAL offset)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+static UINTVAL fixed8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *iter))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*iter);
+
+static void fixed8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *iter),
+    UINTVAL c)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*str)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*iter);
+
+static void fixed8_iter_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *iter),
+    UINTVAL pos)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*iter);
+
+static void fixed8_iter_skip(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *iter),
+    INTVAL skip)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*iter);
+
 static void fixed8_set_next(PARROT_INTERP,
     ARGMOD(String_iter *iter),
     UINTVAL c)
@@ -125,6 +167,24 @@ static STRING * to_encoding(PARROT_INTERP, SHIM(const STRING *src))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_get_next __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_iter_get __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_iter_get_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_iter_set_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_iter_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_iter_skip __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_fixed8_set_next __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(iter))
@@ -375,6 +435,108 @@ bytes(SHIM_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 
 /*
 
+=item C<static UINTVAL fixed8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *iter, INTVAL offset)>
+
+Get the character at C<iter> plus C<offset>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+fixed8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGIN(const String_iter *iter), INTVAL offset)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(fixed8_iter_get)
+    return get_byte(interp, str, iter->charpos + offset);
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void fixed8_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *iter, INTVAL skip)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> by C<skip> characters.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+fixed8_iter_skip(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *iter), INTVAL skip)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(fixed8_iter_skip)
+    iter->bytepos += skip;
+    iter->charpos += skip;
+    PARROT_ASSERT(iter->bytepos <= Buffer_buflen(str));
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL fixed8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING
+*str, String_iter *iter)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next codepoint.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+fixed8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *iter))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(fixed8_iter_get_and_advance)
+    const UINTVAL c = get_byte(interp, str, iter->charpos++);
+    iter->bytepos++;
+    return c;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void fixed8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, STRING *str,
+String_iter *iter, UINTVAL c)>
+
+With the string iterator C<i>, appends the codepoint C<c> and advances to the
+next position in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+fixed8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *iter), UINTVAL c)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(fixed8_iter_set_and_advance)
+    set_byte(interp, str, iter->charpos++, c);
+    iter->bytepos++;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void fixed8_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *iter, UINTVAL pos)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the position C<n> in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+fixed8_iter_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *iter), UINTVAL pos)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(fixed8_iter_set_position)
+    iter->bytepos = iter->charpos = pos;
+    PARROT_ASSERT(pos <= Buffer_buflen(str));
+}
+
+/*
+
 =item C<static UINTVAL fixed8_get_next(PARROT_INTERP, String_iter *iter)>
 
 Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next codepoint.
@@ -511,7 +673,12 @@ Parrot_encoding_fixed_8_init(PARROT_INTERP)
         bytes,
         iter_init,
         find_cclass,
-        fixed_8_hash
+        fixed_8_hash,
+        fixed8_iter_get,
+        fixed8_iter_skip,
+        fixed8_iter_get_and_advance,
+        fixed8_iter_set_and_advance,
+        fixed8_iter_set_position
     };
 
     STRUCT_COPY_FROM_STRUCT(return_encoding, base_encoding);
diff --git a/src/string/encoding/ucs2.c b/src/string/encoding/ucs2.c
index 1c9cd48..6e2ec93 100644
--- a/src/string/encoding/ucs2.c
+++ b/src/string/encoding/ucs2.c
@@ -120,6 +120,50 @@ static size_t ucs2_hash(PARROT_INTERP,
         __attribute__nonnull__(1)
         __attribute__nonnull__(2);
 
+static UINTVAL ucs2_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL offset)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+static UINTVAL ucs2_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs2_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL c)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*str)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs2_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL n)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs2_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL skip)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
 static void ucs2_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
     ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
     UINTVAL n)
@@ -161,6 +205,26 @@ static void ucs2_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_hash __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(s))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_iter_get __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_iter_get_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_iter_set_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_iter_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_iter_skip __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs2_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 /* Don't modify between HEADERIZER BEGIN / HEADERIZER END.  Your changes will be lost. */
@@ -323,11 +387,11 @@ get_codepoints(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src), UINTVAL offset, UINTVAL
         String_iter iter;
         UINTVAL start;
 
-        iter_init(interp, src, &iter);
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset);
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
+        ucs2_iter_set_position(interp, src, &iter, offset);
         start = iter.bytepos;
         return_string->strstart = (char *)return_string->strstart + start;
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset + count);
+        ucs2_iter_set_position(interp, src, &iter, offset + count);
         return_string->bufused = iter.bytepos - start;
     }
 #endif
@@ -402,6 +466,149 @@ bytes(SHIM_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 
 /*
 
+=item C<static UINTVAL ucs2_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *i, INTVAL offset)>
+
+Get the character at C<i> + C<offset>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+ucs2_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGIN(const String_iter *i), INTVAL offset)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs2_iter_get)
+    return get_codepoint(interp, str, i->charpos + offset);
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs2_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, String_iter
+*i, INTVAL skip)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> by C<skip> characters.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs2_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), INTVAL skip)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs2_iter_skip)
+    UNUSED(str);
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    i->charpos += skip;
+    i->bytepos += skip * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(skip);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL ucs2_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING
+*str, String_iter *i)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next UCS-2 codepoint.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+ucs2_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs2_iter_get_and_advance)
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    size_t pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+
+    /* TODO either make sure that we don't go past end or use SAFE
+     *      iter versions
+     */
+    const UChar c = s[pos++];
+    i->charpos++;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+    return c;
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+    return (UINTVAL)0; /* Stop the static analyzers from panicing */
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs2_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL c)>
+
+With the string iterator C<i>, appends the codepoint C<c> and advances to the
+next position in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs2_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL c)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs2_iter_set_and_advance)
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+    s[pos++] = (UChar)c;
+    i->charpos++;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(c);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs2_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL n)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the position C<n> in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs2_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL n)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs2_iter_set_position)
+    UNUSED(str);
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    i->charpos = n;
+    i->bytepos = n * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(n);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
 =item C<static UINTVAL ucs2_decode_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, String_iter *i)>
 
 Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next UCS-2 codepoint.
@@ -592,7 +799,12 @@ Parrot_encoding_ucs2_init(PARROT_INTERP)
         bytes,
         iter_init,
         find_cclass,
-        ucs2_hash
+        ucs2_hash,
+        ucs2_iter_get,
+        ucs2_iter_skip,
+        ucs2_iter_get_and_advance,
+        ucs2_iter_set_and_advance,
+        ucs2_iter_set_position
     };
     STRUCT_COPY_FROM_STRUCT(return_encoding, base_encoding);
     Parrot_register_encoding(interp, "ucs2", return_encoding);
diff --git a/src/string/encoding/ucs4.c b/src/string/encoding/ucs4.c
index c608ef8..e4d0409 100644
--- a/src/string/encoding/ucs4.c
+++ b/src/string/encoding/ucs4.c
@@ -123,6 +123,50 @@ static size_t ucs4_hash(PARROT_INTERP,
         __attribute__nonnull__(1)
         __attribute__nonnull__(2);
 
+static UINTVAL ucs4_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL offset)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+static UINTVAL ucs4_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs4_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL c)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*str)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs4_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL n)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void ucs4_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL skip)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
 static void ucs4_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
     ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
     UINTVAL n)
@@ -167,6 +211,26 @@ static void ucs4_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_hash __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(s))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_iter_get __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_iter_get_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_iter_set_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_iter_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_iter_skip __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_ucs4_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
@@ -414,6 +478,141 @@ bytes(SHIM_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 
 /*
 
+=item C<static UINTVAL ucs4_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *i, INTVAL offset)>
+
+Get the character at C<i> + C<offset>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+ucs4_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGIN(const String_iter *i), INTVAL offset)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs4_iter_get)
+    return get_codepoint(interp, str, i->charpos + offset);
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs4_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, String_iter
+*i, INTVAL skip)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> by C<skip> characters.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs4_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), INTVAL skip)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs4_iter_skip)
+    UNUSED(str);
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    i->charpos += skip;
+    i->bytepos += skip * sizeof (UChar32);
+#else
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(skip);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL ucs4_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING
+*str, String_iter *i)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next codepoint.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+ucs4_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs4_iter_get_and_advance)
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    const UChar32 * const s = (const UChar32*) str->strstart;
+    const UChar32 c = s[i->charpos++];
+    i->bytepos += sizeof (UChar32);
+    return c;
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+    return (UINTVAL)0; /* Stop the static analyzers from panicing */
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs4_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL c)>
+
+With the string iterator C<i>, appends the codepoint C<c> and advances to the
+next position in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs4_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL c)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs4_iter_set_and_advance)
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UChar32 * const s = (UChar32*) str->strstart;
+    s[i->charpos++] = (UChar32)c;
+    i->bytepos += sizeof (UChar32);
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(c);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void ucs4_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL n)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the position C<n> in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+ucs4_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL n)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(ucs4_iter_set_position)
+    UNUSED(str);
+
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    i->charpos = n;
+    i->bytepos = n * sizeof (UChar32);
+#else
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(n);
+    no_ICU_lib(interp);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
 =item C<static UINTVAL ucs4_decode_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, String_iter *i)>
 
 Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next UCS-4 codepoint.
@@ -580,10 +779,15 @@ Parrot_encoding_ucs4_init(PARROT_INTERP)
         iter_init,
         find_cclass,
 #if PARROT_HAS_ICU
-        ucs4_hash
+        ucs4_hash,
 #else
-        NULL
+        NULL,
 #endif
+        ucs4_iter_get,
+        ucs4_iter_skip,
+        ucs4_iter_get_and_advance,
+        ucs4_iter_set_and_advance,
+        ucs4_iter_set_position
     };
     STRUCT_COPY_FROM_STRUCT(return_encoding, base_encoding);
     Parrot_register_encoding(interp, "ucs4", return_encoding);
diff --git a/src/string/encoding/utf16.c b/src/string/encoding/utf16.c
index 0c5ec2d..2570de5 100644
--- a/src/string/encoding/utf16.c
+++ b/src/string/encoding/utf16.c
@@ -107,6 +107,51 @@ static void utf16_encode_and_advance(SHIM_INTERP,
         __attribute__nonnull__(2)
         FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
 
+static UINTVAL utf16_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL offset)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+PARROT_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
+static UINTVAL utf16_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf16_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL c)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*str)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf16_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL n)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf16_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL skip)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
 static void utf16_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
     ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
     UINTVAL n)
@@ -147,6 +192,26 @@ static void utf16_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_encode_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_iter_get __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_iter_get_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_iter_set_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_iter_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_iter_skip __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_utf16_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 /* Don't modify between HEADERIZER BEGIN / HEADERIZER END.  Your changes will be lost. */
@@ -377,19 +442,27 @@ static STRING *
 get_codepoints(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src), UINTVAL offset, UINTVAL count)
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(get_codepoints)
-    String_iter iter;
-    UINTVAL start;
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UINTVAL pos = 0, start;
+    const UChar * const s = (UChar*) src->strstart;
     STRING * const return_string = Parrot_str_copy(interp, src);
 
-    iter_init(interp, src, &iter);
-    iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset);
-    start = iter.bytepos;
-    return_string->strstart = (char *)return_string->strstart + start ;
-    iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset + count);
-    return_string->bufused = iter.bytepos - start;
+    U16_FWD_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, offset);
+    start = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+    return_string->strstart = (char *)return_string->strstart + start;
+    U16_FWD_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, count);
+    return_string->bufused = pos * sizeof (UChar) - start;
     return_string->strlen = count;
     return_string->hashval = 0;
     return return_string;
+#else
+    UNUSED(src);
+    UNUSED(offset);
+    UNUSED(count);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
 }
 
 
@@ -432,15 +505,24 @@ static UINTVAL
 codepoints(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(codepoints)
-    String_iter iter;
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    const UChar * const s = (UChar*) src->strstart;
+    UINTVAL pos = 0, charpos = 0;
     /*
      * this is used to initially calculate src->strlen,
      * therefore we must scan the whole string
      */
-    iter_init(interp, src, &iter);
-    while (iter.bytepos < src->bufused)
-        iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
-    return iter.charpos;
+    while (pos * sizeof (UChar) < src->bufused) {
+        U16_FWD_1_UNSAFE(s, pos);
+        ++charpos;
+    }
+    return charpos;
+#else
+    UNUSED(src);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
 }
 
 /*
@@ -461,6 +543,189 @@ bytes(SHIM_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
     return src->bufused;
 }
 
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL utf16_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *i, INTVAL offset)>
+
+Get the character at C<i> plus C<offset>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+utf16_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGIN(const String_iter *i), INTVAL offset)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf16_iter_get)
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    const UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL c, pos;
+
+    pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+    if (offset > 0) {
+        U16_FWD_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, offset);
+    }
+    else if (offset < 0) {
+        U16_BACK_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, -offset);
+    }
+    U16_GET_UNSAFE(s, pos, c);
+
+    return c;
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(offset);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf16_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, INTVAL skip)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> by C<skip> characters.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf16_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), INTVAL skip)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf16_iter_skip)
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    const UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+
+    if (skip > 0) {
+        U16_FWD_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, skip);
+    }
+    else if (skip < 0) {
+        U16_BACK_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, -skip);
+    }
+
+    i->charpos += skip;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(skip);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL utf16_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING
+*str, String_iter *i)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the next UTF-16 codepoint.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+PARROT_WARN_UNUSED_RESULT
+static UINTVAL
+utf16_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf16_iter_get_and_advance)
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    const UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL c, pos;
+    pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+    /* TODO either make sure that we don't go past end or use SAFE
+     *      iter versions
+     */
+    U16_NEXT_UNSAFE(s, pos, c);
+    i->charpos++;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+    return c;
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf16_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL c)>
+
+With the string iterator C<i>, appends the codepoint C<c> and advances to the
+next position in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf16_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL c)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf16_iter_set_and_advance)
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL pos;
+    pos = i->bytepos / sizeof (UChar);
+    U16_APPEND_UNSAFE(s, pos, c);
+    i->charpos++;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(c);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf16_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL n)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> to the position C<n> in the string.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf16_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL n)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf16_iter_set_position)
+#if PARROT_HAS_ICU
+    UChar * const s = (UChar*) str->strstart;
+    UINTVAL pos;
+    pos = 0;
+    U16_FWD_N_UNSAFE(s, pos, n);
+    i->charpos = n;
+    i->bytepos = pos * sizeof (UChar);
+#else
+    UNUSED(str);
+    UNUSED(i);
+    UNUSED(n);
+
+    Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_LIBRARY_ERROR,
+        "no ICU lib loaded");
+#endif
+}
+
 #if PARROT_HAS_ICU
 /*
 
@@ -595,7 +860,12 @@ Parrot_encoding_utf16_init(PARROT_INTERP)
         bytes,
         iter_init,
         find_cclass,
-        NULL
+        NULL,
+        utf16_iter_get,
+        utf16_iter_skip,
+        utf16_iter_get_and_advance,
+        utf16_iter_set_and_advance,
+        utf16_iter_set_position
     };
     STRUCT_COPY_FROM_STRUCT(return_encoding, base_encoding);
     Parrot_register_encoding(interp, "utf16", return_encoding);
diff --git a/src/string/encoding/utf8.c b/src/string/encoding/utf8.c
index ff17761..811ce76 100644
--- a/src/string/encoding/utf8.c
+++ b/src/string/encoding/utf8.c
@@ -118,6 +118,48 @@ static void utf8_encode_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
         __attribute__nonnull__(2)
         FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
 
+static UINTVAL utf8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGIN(const String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL offset)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3);
+
+static UINTVAL utf8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL c)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(1)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*str)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf8_iter_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    UINTVAL pos)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
+static void utf8_iter_skip(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str),
+    ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
+    INTVAL skip)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(2)
+        __attribute__nonnull__(3)
+        FUNC_MODIFIES(*i);
+
 static void utf8_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
     ARGMOD(String_iter *i),
     UINTVAL pos)
@@ -175,6 +217,24 @@ static const void * utf8_skip_forward(ARGIN(const void *ptr), UINTVAL n)
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_encode_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
     , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_iter_get __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_iter_get_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_iter_set_and_advance __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(interp) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_iter_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
+#define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_iter_skip __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
+       PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(str) \
+    , PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_set_position __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
        PARROT_ASSERT_ARG(i))
 #define ASSERT_ARGS_utf8_skip_backward __attribute__unused__ int _ASSERT_ARGS_CHECK = (\
@@ -387,6 +447,194 @@ utf8_skip_backward(ARGIN(const void *ptr), UINTVAL n)
 
 /*
 
+=item C<static UINTVAL utf8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, const
+String_iter *i, INTVAL offset)>
+
+Get the character at C<i> plus C<offset>.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+utf8_iter_get(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGIN(const String_iter *i), INTVAL offset)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf8_iter_get)
+    const utf8_t *u8ptr = (utf8_t *)((char *)str->strstart + i->bytepos);
+
+    if (offset > 0) {
+        u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_forward(u8ptr, offset);
+    }
+    else if (offset < 0) {
+        u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_backward(u8ptr, -offset);
+    }
+
+    return utf8_decode(interp, u8ptr);
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf8_iter_skip(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str, String_iter
+*i, INTVAL skip)>
+
+Moves the string iterator C<i> by C<skip> characters.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf8_iter_skip(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), INTVAL skip)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf8_iter_skip)
+    const utf8_t *u8ptr = (utf8_t *)((char *)str->strstart + i->bytepos);
+
+    if (skip > 0) {
+        u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_forward(u8ptr, skip);
+    }
+    else if (skip < 0) {
+        u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_backward(u8ptr, -skip);
+    }
+
+    i->charpos += skip;
+    i->bytepos = (const char *)u8ptr - (const char *)str->strstart;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static UINTVAL utf8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING
+*str, String_iter *i)>
+
+The UTF-8 implementation of the string iterator's C<get_and_advance>
+function.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static UINTVAL
+utf8_iter_get_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i))
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf8_iter_get_and_advance)
+    const utf8_t *u8ptr = (utf8_t *)((char *)str->strstart + i->bytepos);
+    UINTVAL c = *u8ptr;
+
+    if (UTF8_IS_START(c)) {
+        UINTVAL len = UTF8SKIP(u8ptr);
+
+        c &= UTF8_START_MASK(len);
+        i->bytepos += len;
+        for (len--; len; len--) {
+            u8ptr++;
+
+            if (!UTF8_IS_CONTINUATION(*u8ptr))
+                Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_MALFORMED_UTF8,
+                    "Malformed UTF-8 string\n");
+            c = UTF8_ACCUMULATE(c, *u8ptr);
+        }
+
+        if (UNICODE_IS_SURROGATE(c))
+            Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_MALFORMED_UTF8,
+                "Surrogate in UTF-8 string\n");
+    }
+    else if (!UNICODE_IS_INVARIANT(c)) {
+        Parrot_ex_throw_from_c_args(interp, NULL, EXCEPTION_MALFORMED_UTF8,
+            "Malformed UTF-8 string\n");
+    }
+    else {
+        i->bytepos++;
+    }
+
+    i->charpos++;
+    return c;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL c)>
+
+The UTF-8 implementation of the string iterator's C<set_and_advance>
+function.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf8_iter_set_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP,
+    ARGMOD(STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL c)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf8_iter_set_and_advance)
+    unsigned char * const pos = (unsigned char *)str->strstart + i->bytepos;
+    unsigned char * const new_pos = (unsigned char *)utf8_encode(interp, pos, c);
+
+    i->bytepos += (new_pos - pos);
+    /* XXX possible buffer overrun exception? */
+    PARROT_ASSERT(i->bytepos <= Buffer_buflen(str));
+    i->charpos++;
+}
+
+/*
+
+=item C<static void utf8_iter_set_position(PARROT_INTERP, const STRING *str,
+String_iter *i, UINTVAL pos)>
+
+The UTF-8 implementation of the string iterator's C<set_position>
+function.
+
+=cut
+
+*/
+
+static void
+utf8_iter_set_position(SHIM_INTERP,
+    ARGIN(const STRING *str), ARGMOD(String_iter *i), UINTVAL pos)
+{
+    ASSERT_ARGS(utf8_iter_set_position)
+    const utf8_t *u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)str->strstart;
+
+    if (pos == 0) {
+        i->charpos = 0;
+        i->bytepos = 0;
+        return;
+    }
+
+    /*
+     * we know the byte offsets of three positions: start, current and end
+     * now find the shortest way to reach pos
+     */
+    if (pos < i->charpos) {
+        if (pos <= (i->charpos >> 1)) {
+            /* go forward from start */
+            u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_forward(u8ptr, pos);
+        }
+        else {
+            /* go backward from current */
+            u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_backward(u8ptr + i->bytepos, i->charpos - pos);
+        }
+    }
+    else {
+        const UINTVAL  len = str->strlen;
+        if (pos <= i->charpos + ((len - i->charpos) >> 1)) {
+            /* go forward from current */
+            u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_forward(u8ptr + i->bytepos, pos - i->charpos);
+        }
+        else {
+            /* go backward from end */
+            u8ptr = (const utf8_t *)utf8_skip_backward(u8ptr + str->bufused, len - pos);
+        }
+    }
+
+    i->charpos = pos;
+    i->bytepos = (const char *)u8ptr - (const char *)str->strstart;
+}
+
+/*
+
 =item C<static UINTVAL utf8_decode_and_advance(PARROT_INTERP, String_iter *i)>
 
 The UTF-8 implementation of the string iterator's C<get_and_advance>
@@ -513,8 +761,8 @@ to_encoding(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
 {
     ASSERT_ARGS(to_encoding)
     STRING *result;
-    String_iter src_iter;
-    UINTVAL offs, dest_len, dest_pos, src_len;
+    const ENCODING *src_encoding;
+    UINTVAL dest_len, dest_pos, src_len;
     unsigned char *p;
 
     if (src->encoding == Parrot_utf8_encoding_ptr)
@@ -523,8 +771,8 @@ to_encoding(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
     result = Parrot_gc_new_string_header(interp, 0);
     src_len = src->strlen;
 
-    /* init iter before possilby changing encoding */
-    ENCODING_ITER_INIT(interp, src, &src_iter);
+    /* save source encoding before possibly changing it */
+    src_encoding = src->encoding;
     result->charset  = Parrot_unicode_charset_ptr;
     result->encoding = Parrot_utf8_encoding_ptr;
     result->strlen   = src_len;
@@ -542,15 +790,17 @@ to_encoding(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
         result->bufused = dest_len;
     }
     else {
+        String_iter src_iter;
+        STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &src_iter);
         dest_len = src_len;
         dest_pos = 0;
-        for (offs = 0; offs < src_len; ++offs) {
-            const UINTVAL c = src_iter.get_and_advance(interp, &src_iter);
+        while (src_iter.charpos < src_len) {
+            const UINTVAL c = src_encoding->iter_get_and_advance(interp, src, &src_iter);
             unsigned char *new_pos;
             unsigned char *pos;
 
             if (dest_len - dest_pos < 6) {
-                UINTVAL need = (UINTVAL)((src->strlen - offs) * 1.5);
+                UINTVAL need = (UINTVAL)((src->strlen - src_iter.charpos + 1) * 1.5);
                 if (need < 16)
                     need = 16;
                 dest_len += need;
@@ -683,16 +933,16 @@ get_codepoints(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src), UINTVAL offset, UINTVAL
     String_iter    iter;
     UINTVAL        start;
 
-    iter_init(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
 
     if (offset)
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset);
+        utf8_iter_set_position(interp, src, &iter, offset);
 
     start                   = iter.bytepos;
     return_string->strstart = (char *)return_string->strstart + start;
 
     if (count)
-        iter.set_position(interp, &iter, offset + count);
+        utf8_iter_set_position(interp, src, &iter, offset + count);
 
     return_string->bufused  = iter.bytepos - start;
     return_string->strlen   = count;
@@ -749,9 +999,9 @@ codepoints(PARROT_INTERP, ARGIN(const STRING *src))
      * this is used to initially calculate src->strlen,
      * therefore we must scan the whole string
      */
-    iter_init(interp, src, &iter);
+    STRING_ITER_INIT(interp, &iter);
     while (iter.bytepos < src->bufused)
-        iter.get_and_advance(interp, &iter);
+        utf8_iter_get_and_advance(interp, src, &iter);
     return iter.charpos;
 }
 
@@ -825,7 +1075,12 @@ Parrot_encoding_utf8_init(PARROT_INTERP)
         bytes,
         iter_init,
         find_cclass,
-        NULL
+        NULL,
+        utf8_iter_get,
+        utf8_iter_skip,
+        utf8_iter_get_and_advance,
+        utf8_iter_set_and_advance,
+        utf8_iter_set_position
     };
     STRUCT_COPY_FROM_STRUCT(return_encoding, base_encoding);
     Parrot_register_encoding(interp, "utf8", return_encoding);