Do you use a cable needle?

Do you use a cable needle when knitting cables?

open.needle

No I dont. I use a space circular needle and I find it easy to work.

Mmmmason

Yes, but if you dont have a cable needle you can use anything else really. Sometimes when I cant find it I just whichever pencil or pen I have lying around me. As long as it can hold your stitches you can use anything

lycisy

It depends on how many stitches the cable is worked with.
I can manage up to 6 stitches without CN, but for more I need an extra tool.
If I dont have a cable needle to hand, a bent paper clip, a needle from a set DPN or another small circular needle will also work.

Travispipi

lycisy 2024-2-9 22:14
It depends on how many stitches the cable is worked with.
I can manage up to 6 stitches without CN, ...

Cool. Will try to figure that out. Would be easier on the go than bringing a extra needle :D

Travispipi

Mmmmason 2024-2-9 21:42
Yes, but if you dont have a cable needle you can use anything else really. Sometimes when I cant f ...

Thanks for the advice :D

breakitdown

I have a few different sets of cable needles, and find that wooden ones work the best for me and dont slip out as easily as metal and plastic.  Im with Iycisy on using a double pointed needle in a crunch, but then I only use a wooden one. . .

toomuchreading

I like using the cable needles that have a "V" shape in the centre.  Im one for always loosing my stitches when I use a straight needle.  That kind is my favorite, but anything that will hold stitches in a pinch will do.  I have yet to be able to accomplish a cable without a cable needle (in whatever form you choose to use), but not for lack of trying.  My brain just doesnt want to cooperate and learn this skill for some reason.  

BluBrd

I do. You can get plastic ones for fairly cheap on the internet (mine came included with a cute pouch that I bought for my chook sets - it came full which was not expected).
Before that, I used either circular needles (double-pointed or the long 80 cm ones) or even regular straight needles.

To be honest, if cable knitting is something you like, cable needles are worth buying. Theyre far more convenient.

antoniav

im currently making a cabled cardigan that has 2x2 cables and 4x4 cables, i can do the 2x2 ones easily without a cable needle but definitely still need the needle for the 4x4 ones. fortunately, the 4x4 pattern repeat is only every 10 or so rows so its not that bad. however, does anyone have any tips for doing cables without a needle for larger cables?