Questions on making your own DPN's and cable needles

How-to Questions
1

First question is on size…

I watched the video on how to make your own needles (loooove the videos on this site). I just got back from Michael’s and AC Moore where I looked for dowels to attempt this. In both places, the only sizes I could find are US size 3, US size 6 and US size 10-10.5. Has anybody ever made these before? Were you able to find other diameters?

Second and third questions are on cable needles…

When I look at the cable needles that they sell that are metal or plastic, I see the common metal one with the dip in the middle and then two other ones that look like fishing hooks in different sizes. What is that kind for? Is it just a different kind that works the same and are only bent so they don’t slip off since metal is so slippery or is there another reason?

Also, do you have to use the same size cable needle as the ones you are using for the rest of the knitting? Logically I would think it matters since you are knitting straight from the cable needle but if so, where do you find the sifferent sizes? :??

I have to wonder if these are common questions. LOL

Thanks for your help!

2

I’ve never made my own needles, so I can’t help you there.

I use a dpn for a cable needle. It doesn’t have to be the same size as your knitting needle, since the size of the stitch is determined by the right needle as you knit off the cable needle. The cable needle is more of a stitch holder when you’re doing cables. Anything with two points can be used as a cable needle.

The hooked one is just another form. I’ve never used one. I think it would just mean extra work to get the stitches off. :shrug:

3

I like the hooked ones, acutally. It’s a little harder, but being a klutz I kept losing the stitches on the straight and dipped needles.