I am trying a sock pattern for my second pair of socks, and it has cables. I have never seen a cable needle for socks (meaning in the US size 2 range)…is there a tiny cable needle, or do you just use something different. I’m not sure I want to do a whole sock without the security of the cable needle, even though I’m aware that it can be done.
Help!
You can use a smaller needle, a paper clip, a hairpin - anything smaller in diameter than your needle that you can slip a stitch onto and off again.
I would use a size two double point.
Thanks. I started out with a handy tapestry needle. Slightly more dangerous than I wanted! :roll: Paperclips would be handier. I don’t have dpns in that size—I’m doing it on two circulars.
A darning needle might be blunter. Or you could try a toothpick.
I’m knitting the Salto sock from Knitty right now - it has 2 cables on each sock. I’m also using 2 circs. Right now I’m using a 2" stitch holder, like one of these: http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat2874&PRODID=prd31073&source=search as a cable needle. It’s small enough, plus I can hook it on the sock so i don’t keep loosing it. I’ve also used toothpicks successfully.
I thought about those, but it seems like it would be a pain to keep the stitches from twisting or being out of order, if you’re having to knit them off the same side. How’s that going?
If I’m doing a sock with cables…then I usually don’t use a cable needle…
Hereis Fibrenuts blog she has a video on it &
Amy has a videotoo 
When I use a stitch holder for a cable needle, you do have to slide the stitches back onto the left hand needle to knit them. Yes, I agree that’s a bit of a pain.
I can do cables w/out a cable needle, but not with these size 1 needles. It’s just not working out for me, I’ve tried several times using different cable-needleless methods and I’m finding it takes longer then using the stitch holder and sliding stitches back onto the needle to knit them.