I really, really want to get started on a wide cowl that drapes over the shoulders. The pattern calls for US 7 needles with a 40" cable.
My longest cable is 32", but I am a fairly tight knitter. Can I squish in the stitches a bit, and maybe transfer to a 40" cable later on once I can get to the LYS to buy a 40" set of needles?
Usually the problem with too many sts is that it’s just so uncomfortable to knit with all the stitches crowding onto the needle points. This depends on the yarn softness and thickness too.
If the cowl starts at a smaller diameter and widens towards the shoulders, this may not be a problem at all. You can certainly give it a try. We’ll never tell on you.
Umm, I am not sure if it widens like you said. I will link the pattern.
It doesn’t look to me like there are any increases and in looking at the pictures it seems straight. There are 219 stitches in worsted weight yarn. Personally I think a 32" would be too short, but it really doesn’t hurt to try it. It may be fine for you.
Thanks Jan, it is a tight squeeze - but I thought the pattern has 216 sts, it says 216 CO. Was that just a typo, or am I missing something?
Oops, no. After your question I looked at the pattern and I guess I remembered it incorrectly. Sorry! I was thinking it would be a tight squeeze. I tend to like more room so I can more easily set the project down without stitches sliding down and popping off the needles. Be careful of that.
Depending on what type of cables you use, modular or single, you might be able to get a extender. For example, Knit Picks Options modular cable needles have a extender that you can buy so that you can attach another cable to make it longer. Fixed, or single cable needles you’d have to look and find one that you need.
I am just using some cabled needles from Walmart, the cable looks attached and fixed there. However, I might have convinced my boyfriend to go to the LYS, which happens to carry HiyaHiya SHARPS, this weekend. 
Interchangeable circular needles will save you a lot in the long run. You can use longer or shorter cables to suit your needs and don’t have to buy multiple sets of one size in various lengths. The Hiyas come interchangeable I’m sure. I’ve not used them myself but others seem to really like them.
Yeah, that is how I explained it to my boyfriend. I won’t ever have to buy another circular needle for $3-8 for every new project, and I could use the cabled needles as straights and go back and forth.
Be careful saying you’d NEVER have to buy another circular…because you will. But interchangeables are much cheaper in the long run and they will serve most of your needs.
That is very true, very wise.
I’ve got my gorgeous, interchangeable, Hiya Hiya SHARPs. They come with some very short cables and very long cables as well. I would like to order more cables just to get different lengths of the cord! For now, I will just use the Magic Loop in the meantime.
And then of course I need a set of DPNs - I had no idea how many projects need to have them. Next time I am at the Lys I will take a look.
Glad you have your interchangeables! I wish you many happy knitting projects with them.
If you like doing magic loop, you may not even need dpns. Magic loop will work for small diameter circular knitting in place of dpns.
I only use DPN for very small diameter knitting. I use magic loop for everything else.
Really? How small is small enough to use your DPNs?
I want to try my hand at making a hat and also gloves. I should be able to do that with the magic loop then?
I am going to take some pictures of all my finished stuff one of these days.
I have sock needles (fixed circs don’t seem to come smaller than sz. 0) in dpn’s and another set or two that I really only use if I need to drop stitches down to make corrections. I’ve done mitten thumbs on circs. I’ve not done gloves yet so I might want dpn’s there. I’m pretty sure they can be done on circs too so maybe not.
Like a leg on a teddy bear or something.
I want to try my hand at making a hat and also gloves. I should be able to do that with the magic loop then?
Yep. I only use Magic Loop for those although I’d probably use DPN for the thumb as GG said. If I was going to make a hat or mitten ornament I might use DPN.
Here is a pair of gloves made entirely with the circular needle
I made these gloves using a circular needle even for the fingers. It takes a little getting used to working a small diameter item but it is a skill worth learning.