Cable Needle
A cable needle is a short, often bent needle used to hold stitches temporarily while knitting cable patterns and braids.
Explanation
A cable needle is a small tool, often shaped as a short straight needle, a bent needle, or a needle with a notch in the middle, used to hold a small number of stitches temporarily off the working needle while knitting cable patterns. The stitches are moved onto the cable needle and held in front of or behind the work depending on which direction the cable should twist, then knitted back in the correct order. Some knitters prefer using a spare double-pointed needle or even knitting cables entirely without a cable needle for extra speed.
Also known as: Cable pin, cn
How it is used
A cable needle holds a small number of stitches while you work their neighbours, so the columns swap places and form a cable. Held in front of the work the cable leans left; held behind, it leans right.
The needle is usually bent or dipped in the middle precisely so the stitches do not slide off while it dangles.
Cabling without a needle
Experienced cable knitters often skip the cable needle and swap the stitches directly between needles. It is faster but requires letting stitches go free for a moment. Practice on a couple of stitches in a swatch before trying it on a garment.
Common mistakes
- Using a cable needle thicker than the working needles, which leaves loose stitches in the cable.
- Holding the needle behind when the chart says front, so the cable leans the wrong way.
Keywords
- cable needle
- cable knitting tool
- cable holder
Frequently asked questions
Which way does the cable lean?
Cable needle held in front gives a cable leaning left. Held behind, it leans right.
Can I cable without a cable needle?
Yes, by swapping the stitches directly between the needles. It is quicker, and easiest on cables with few stitches.