How to Cable without a Cable Needle

I’ve been working on a lot of cable knitting projects lately, which is not something I normally do. I don’t know why, but I don’t typically use a lot of cables in my designs or choose to knit things that have cables. They’re actually pretty fun.

Especially when you can perform the magic trick of making cables without having to pull out a cable needle or spare double pointed knitting needle to use as a cable needle.

Once you understand how cables work and which way the stitches need to go to make the cable turn the way you need it to go, it’s actually really easy to do. It does involve temporarily having some stitches hanging loose from a needle, so if your yarn is really slippery, you might not want to use this technique.

But if you’re working with wool or another fiber that is relatively grabby this is a great technique that feels really clever and like it saves you time having to pick up, use, and put down your cable needle as you work across the row. (In the video I’m using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky, which has long since been discontinued, but like the other Wool-Ease products its a blend of wool and acrylic, and it worked just fine with this technique).

I like doing it this way when you’re only slipping one or two stitches to make your cables. If they are much wider than that it’s easy to get your stitches twisted or out of order when you pick them back up.

Have you ever worked cables without a cable needle? Do you have other cable knitting tricks to share? I’d love to hear about it! (And hopefully I can share with you why I’ve been making so many cable knitting projects soon!)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDcDn3StOuA]

One of my favorite things to make on a circular knitting machine is scarves, because they’re a great way to use leftover yarn and certainly faster than knitting by hand.

But if you pay attention to the colors you’re using and how you are using them, you can make fun knitting machine scarves that look like something different when you roll them up.

One of the first versions of this I saw was the sushi scarf, are there are a lot of variations on this one. For example this one from Flower and Anchor that uses five colors of yarn, or this one from Three Threads NE that uses four. These generally are made to look like California rolls, but you could change up the colors to make them different things if you like. Just make sure the outside of the “roll” is black or green to indicate the nori. I found another version on Pinterest if you’re looking for a free pattern, but there’s no image of it rolled up.

Another popular variation is making a scarf that rolls up to look like a mug with coffee, tea or another fun beverage inside. This collection of three mug scarf circular knitting machine patterns from Idaho Cottage Creation includes green tea, a pumpkin spice latte with whipped cream and a candy cane colored confection (which honestly reminds me of the Grinch since it has a green mug!). Again you can change the colors of the mug part and the drink part. The little handle looks like it’s crocheted on these, and it doubles as a loop you can thread the scarf end through when you wear it.

Again there’s a version of the green tea scarf on Pinterest with crocheted elements. I also found a latte done with a striped yarn and a red mug that’s pretty cute and gives you an idea what a different beverage would look like.

I also love this pumpkin pie scarf designed by Jodi Favish Saunier. It has a bit of crocheted edging to give it a fancy crust but you can omit that if you don’t crochet. These are all on Facebook but she also has a watermelon and lemonade pattern that are super cute.

Have you read?