What type of cable needle do you prefer or do you prefer none at all? I’m using a j or u hook now, but I’m thinking of having DH make me a short wooden straight one. I know basically how to do it w/o, but the stitches are tight. Just curious for your opinion.
I use a dpn, usually.
WOW! me TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! :cheering:
I don’t use a cable needle. I think I would if I was making really wide, or complicated cables but for the max 6 stitch cables that I do I find it easier and quicker to do it without a needle.
I cable w/ a straight aluminum needle, lol. I have a set of AERO needles and it came w/ 4 different size cable needles, all straight. OK. I am really bad on metal types, it won’t rust… and is strong so may not be aluminum, but they are a type of metal… I love them… the different sizes are always perfect for whatever yarn I’m using, I use a cable needle a bit smaller and it works great.
I love to cable, and found the straight ones work best for me… xxx
i cable without a needle, unless it’s some massive 10 stitch cable or something like that.
I use a bent cable needle. I tried DPN’s but I like the bent needle more.
I started out learning to do cables with the J needle, but when we were on vacation I bought some straight wooden ones that are narrow-er in the middle than on the ends. And I LOVE them! I’ve already sent my metal j-needle to Goodwill. lol
How do you cable without a needle???
I only started doing cabling during the summer and found that the dip in the U (but mine is like a V) was great.
There was about an inch-high piece of metal that the stitches had to climb before they could do a runner and leap off the needle.
If people are new to this sort of patterning and find they prefer a straight needle, a set of children’s beads in assorted sizes is very useful. They stop the stitches from falling off and if you don’t have that pesky distraction, then you are more likely to get the ‘feel’ of how to hold the needle more quickly.
All the Best
Limey
PS Jan - I somehow managed to do a whole two inches of knitting on the dreaded metal double pointed needles without getting ladders! - :shrug:
and better yet, without Sam Pup, Cats and Hubby losing an eye or an ear :cheering:
I cable without a cable needle. I used to use the cable needles with dips in them. And I’d probably use them for more complicated/wider cables. But for now, I’m loving the whole cabling without a needle thing.
I obviously have not done cables yet, but I watched the video here and I’ve seen instructions. I’m curious how you cable without a needle? What do you do with those stitches?!
I have bent cable needles and straights. The bent is nice for smaller projects, but the straights are nice for larger projects and super small projects because I can cut the size I what out of a dowel.
I use a DPN because I can stick it in my knitting after I place sts on it to hold in place while I knit other sts.Works GREAT.I have all the cable needles and don’t like any of them.
I’ve never done it myself, but here’s a tutorial for knitting cables without a cable needle…
And a slightly different method here. This is how I do it, and I think it has one less step than Grumperina’s method (the one linked above).
I much prefer my J hook to the U, it just feels more secure.
I’m working on cabling without a needle though, it’s pretty cool!
U hook.
Wow…thanks for all the response. I have tried both a bent needle, DPN, and J hook. I hated the bent needle because it was too long and poked me while I knit the other stitches. The DPN was a problem for me for the same reason. The J hook works fine, but it’s more time consuming to have to move the stitches on the needle and then back off. I was thinking I could knit right from the short wooden needle and save a step.
Oh and I tried the no needle method, too. The stitches were so tight that way, but then they are tight anyway when you move them back from the J hook or whatever. I think I’ll have DH make me a short wooden one and I’ll see how it goes. Thanks!
:cheering: Good for you! I find if I’m still getting a slight ladderish look to it I just adjust the “joint or corner” by moving two stitches over to the next on each needle. 
Thank you to Kirochka and knitqueen for the links! 
I learn something new every time I come here!
The power of Google! 