There’s some site where it tells you how to do it yourself. I forget what they suggest for the cables, but it’s supposed to work really well. Oh, and I also forget what the site is. Big help, aren’t I.
But if you search around, I’m sure you’ll find it. But I like your idea of using sewing needles, Mason.
Other than that, knitabikini, if it’s the cables that you meant, then yes, 12" by Addi is what’s currently the shortest available that I’ve ever found. Boye used to make 8" but seems to have discontinued them. But if you meant the needles themselves, Hiya Hiya makes some less than 1mm, so something like in sizes 0, 00 and 000.