[Bee Bee]

I have not tried cable knitting before. I have read numerous articles in books and watched some videos, and would like to try. This is probably a very novice question, but what type of needle does one slip the stitches onto to hold them until they are knit again? I have seen one of the needles on a circular needle used, a DPN, and one of the plastic ones sold in shops. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[Esther V. Wood]

U-tube has excellent cable videos... I have knit for years and still turn on a video to keep me on track.
JUST learned to do cables without a cable holder..not suggested for a beginner....can also use a bobbipin!!
But the hook shaped cable holder is the best as you can knit the stitches back onto your project using that needle.

 

[Bee Bee]

Thank you so much. I'll check out the YouTube video.

 

[robmac]

I use an extra double point needle to do cable work. Since I rarely use the dpns for knitting anymore. lol

 

[sandyP]

Hi.
I learned to knit cable with a straight cable needle but you can get cable needles with a bend in the middle or hooked ones which make it much easier to hold the stitches then you can knit them straight back onto needles you are using. Here are some pictures of what I am talking about hope they come out ok..
I'm sorry I don't have them attached to any knitting to show you

 

[Bee Bee]

Thank you Sandy. The pictures are very clear, and I have seen these in several yarn shops in my area! I have a feeling that it just takes time to get comfortable with knitting cables!

 

[sandyP]

Thank you Sandy. The pictures are very clear, and I have seen these in several yarn shops in my area! I have a feeling that it just takes time to get comfortable with knitting cables!

Yes but like anything else, keep at it you will get there. Good luck and most of all enjoy!

 

[kaixixang]

Usually I use the same gauge size of dpn as the Circulars.

I have not tried cable knitting before. I have read numerous articles in books and watched some videos, and would like to try. This is probably a very novice question, but what type of needle does one slip the stitches onto to hold them until they are knit again? I have seen one of the needles on a circular needle used, a DPN, and one of the plastic ones sold in shops. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[courier770]

You can use ANYTHING for a cable needle. The straight wood ones with grooves in them are the least cumbersome but those can be replaced with fancy, carved, wooden toothpicks (a plastic container of over 150 will cost you under $4.00), a DNP will work and so will the non hook end of a crochet hook.

 

[raza42]

Hi Bee Bee,
as a male knitter of six decades and a spinner of two decades I enjoy aran knitting especially including of course cables and I have found that the use of a short plastic needle of the same size as the main needles used works fine.
There are of course cable needles available that have a 'V' bend in the middle that will hold the cable stitches securely but these are not really needed.
Just use a broken needle that has had a point fashioned into the previously broken end and insert the tip of it into back or front of your work to secure the stitches while you work your cables.
A form of recycling and certainly less expensive than going out to buy something else which can also be inconvenient.

 

[djg1018]

I felt the same way when I first tried to cable. There are cable needles available that come in different shapes. The one that worked best for me was a small needle that was "u" shaped with one side shorter than the other. There are several videos on You Tube that helped me. I tried using books but found some directions just didn't make any sense...now I can finally cable but still have difficulty reading directions. Start with a simple cable and when you feel comfortable you can add more difficult stitches. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Esther V. Wood]

Bobbi pins work too...remember them? ((smiling))

 

[peachy51]

I like the u-shaped cable needles. I have never had a stitch come off of them until I am ready to knit them.

 

[KaitlanBlackrose]

I use a DPN to cable with though I have the hook and straight cable needles.

 

[lannieb]

You can use many things to slip the sts off and then knit them back on, but if you are just learning, a "cable" needle, designed specifically for that purpose will add to your experience and make it easier (just my humble point of veiw). I like the "U" shaped one the best, it drops out of the way, until you want the stitches again.

 

[Dsynr]

A KP-er suggested puting the second set of stitches BACK onto the holding ndl BEFORE working them. I tried it and found it made working them so much more easily. Just a thought that might help.
BTW, I love cables.

I have not tried cable knitting before. I have read numerous articles in books and watched some videos, and would like to try. This is probably a very novice question, but what type of needle does one slip the stitches onto to hold them until they are knit again? I have seen one of the needles on a circular needle used, a DPN, and one of the plastic ones sold in shops. Any tips are greatly appreciated!

 

[jumbleburt]

You can use many things to slip the sts off and then knit them back on, but if you are just learning, a "cable" needle, designed specifically for that purpose will add to your experience and make it easier (just my humble point of veiw). I like the "U" shaped one the best, it drops out of the way, until you want the stitches again.

I definitely agree. I think for a new cabler, the other options are likely to get in the way and make things more difficult than they need to be.

 

[Cookie61868]

I Like to use the ones that look like a Shepards hook. I find the stitches don't slip off till your ready to knit them.

 

[Ronie]

there are a few different ways to knit cables. I'm just learning also and I have been told you can slip the stitches off onto another needle/holder and then either knit from the holder or slip the stitches back onto the needle and knit them there.. I am using different items to hold my stitches so until I find one I like I transfer my stitches back to the needle.. It would be great to find a cable holder that I can use that would let me just knit from it.. I have thought about using 1 needle from my interchangeables.. but if I lost it I would ruin my set so I don't really want to do that.

 

[lannieb]

Get the U shaped / hooked cable needle and you will have what you are saying you are looking for.

there are a few different ways to knit cables. I'm just learning also and I have been told you can slip the stitches off onto another needle/holder and then either knit from the holder or slip the stitches back onto the needle and knit them there.. I am using different items to hold my stitches so until I find one I like I transfer my stitches back to the needle.. It would be great to find a cable holder that I can use that would let me just knit from it.. I have thought about using 1 needle from my interchangeables.. but if I lost it I would ruin my set so I don't really want to do that.