I Purchased a new circular needle for a Knit along and it is so stiff and tight that the cable looks like a spring. Just trying to do a gage swatch is next to imposable, HELP!
Try letting it sit in some very hot water for a few minutes to let it relax.
Don’t put the tips in the hot water, just the cord, then hold it out straight as it cools. You might need to do this a couple times.
Some types of cables can be a pain. Using the hot water should help. 
As a side note… not all circular needles do that. Knitpicks Options, Harmony and Zephyr needles have very nice cables that don’t do that. Addi turbos are also lovely with a flexible cable.
[COLOR=“Navy”]Susan Bates fixed circulars also have very flexible connecting cords. The tips are straight taper but a little blunt with a tiny bit long-ish shaft. The tails are shorter with a smooth transition to the cord. I have Bates Silvalume in at least two sizes (US 7, 4.5mm & 10, 6.0mm). I think I find them at A. C. Moore
I find Boye by Writes have the stiffer cord. Nice point taper of the tips but the shaft is short with a long, bent tail to the cord. I have one size of these (US 8, 5.0mm). I got them at Michael’s.
I agree that Knit Picks fixed circulars have very flexible cords. I have one size of these that I received as a gift. Tip length is just right and cord is quite flexible. Great for sock knitting using ML method. Lucky it is a ‘sock toy’ teddy bear OTN. Ah, a long forgotten UFO. I wonder where I left it. :think:
All my circulars seem to be about 29 inches, and I try to get two sets at a time. I prefer to work on two sets of circulars instead of a prickly handful of DPNs. 
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