I’ve searched for ‘favorite notions’ and the nearest was something under ‘tools of the trade’ but that seems to have been last posted upon in 2006. So here’s a ‘nothing new under the sun’ topic, and forgive me if it’s long since covered elsewhere!
I’m prompted to reopen what must be a long-time general interest, by a discovery that has changed my knitting life. Huge claim, I know, but huge change!
I’ve long gone on about tying an elastic band onto a cable to stop stitches slipping down and consequently, on a big project, loading the weight in an unhelpful way. It works, but is a bit fiddlesome - you have to undo the tight elastic each time you change knitting direction, and that’s a bit of a nuisance, though still worth it in my opinion.
However! I’ve now discovered these, on TwiceShearedSheep. Doubtless others have already found them, but just in case anyone hasn’t, have a look at this, and don’t be put off by the seemingly ENORMOUS price tag - I can’t get the site to change from Hong Kong dollars (my currency) to US dollars. So they are roughly US $7 for a pack of four. I don’t think it’s necessary to worry about size too much, if you buy the large size it’ll go over a large needle, but once you’ve slid it onto the cable any size will do; likewise, a ‘small’ will work if you put it on the cable before attaching the needles. They are great!