7 Best Cable Knitting Needles You Need In Your Kit

This blog post will show you the 7 best cable knitting needles you need in your kit. 

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, having the right tools can make all the difference in your knitting journey. 

These needles are essential for creating beautiful, intricate designs, from flexible cables to comfortable grips.

What Are Cable Needles?

Cable needles are short, specially designed needles used to temporarily hold stitches while creating cable patterns in knitting. 

They help shift stitches out of order to form twists and braids, giving cables their distinctive texture. 

Cable needles typically have a slight curve, hook, or dip in the middle to prevent stitches from slipping off while you work on the rest of the row. 

They come in various materials, such as metal, wood, or plastic, and in different sizes to match different yarn weights and needle sizes. 

While cable needles are useful for intricate designs and offer a smooth transition, some experienced knitters prefer to cable without them by rearranging stitches directly on the working needles.

How many sizes of cable needles are there?

Cable needles come in a variety of sizes, generally corresponding to standard knitting needle sizes. 

They typically range from small (2-3 mm) for lightweight yarns to large (8 mm or more) for bulky or super bulky yarns. 

Most brands offer cable needles in at least three sizes—small, medium, and large—to accommodate different projects. 

Some sets include multiple sizes, while others are designed with tapered ends to work across a wider range of yarn weights. 

Additionally, cable needles come in various shapes, such as straight, bend U-shaped, J-shaped, or double-pointed, giving knitters options based on their preference and ease of use.

If you’re getting your cable knitting needle from a yarn store, you can always ask the staff for recommendations based on what you’re making. 

They can help you choose the right size and type of cable needle to suit your project and yarn.

Related Post:  Learn everything about the different yarn weights here – Yarn Weight Guide {+Conversion Chart}

How do you know what size cable needle to use? 

The size of the cable needle you use should generally match or be slightly smaller than your working needle size to prevent stretching the stitches. 

If the cable needle is too large, it can distort your stitches and make them looser than the rest of your knitting. 

On the other hand, if it’s too small, it might make it difficult to maneuver the stitches, especially with thick yarn. 

A good rule of thumb is to use a cable needle that is the same size as your knitting needles or one size down. 

However, personal preference plays a role—some knitters find a smaller cable needle easier to manage, while others prefer a larger one for better grip. 

If you’re working with slippery yarn, a wooden or textured cable needle may help keep stitches from sliding off too easily.

Can you use a normal needle as a cable needle?    

Yes, you can use a normal knitting needle as a cable needle in a pinch, but it may not be as convenient. 

A regular needle, especially if it’s long, can be awkward to maneuver and may get in the way of knitting. 

If you use a double-pointed needle (DPN) of a similar size, it can work well as a substitute since both ends are pointed, making it easier to slip stitches on and off. 

However, a curved or hooked cable needle is designed to keep stitches secure, whereas a straight knitting needle may allow them to slide off more easily. 

If you don’t have a cable needle, other makeshift options include a bobby pin, safety pin, toothpick (for fine yarn), or  small crochet hooks—anything that temporarily holds stitches and prevents them from unraveling

Can you use one of your circular needles as a cable needle?

Yes, you can use one of your circular needles as a cable needle, but it may not be the most practical choice. 

Since circular needles have a flexible cord between the needle tips, it can be awkward to maneuver and may slow you down. 

However, if you’re in a pinch and don’t have a cable needle handy, you can slide the group of stitches onto one of the circular needle tips, hold them in place while you knit the next stitches, and then transfer them back. 

This method works best with smaller cables where you only hold a few stitches at a time. 

For larger cables or slippery yarn, a dedicated cable needle or a double-pointed needle (DPN) might be a better alternative.

Knitting Lessons

If you are new to the craft and need help with the knitting basics, check out more free how-to resources here: Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).

There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques new crafters need to know. 

This includes how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic stitches, how to knit short rows, and more. 

Also included is a list of knitting abbreviations (UK + US terms), a knitting needle size guide, and more.

• If you need more video tutorials, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.
• For extra help and to connect with more makers, check out the Handylittleme Facebook group. 
• If you also love a crochet project, check out easy patterns here – Free Crochet Patterns

You can also find us on social media, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, Etsy, and TikTok. 

More Knitting Tools Resources 

• What Is A Stitch Fixer?
• What Are Stitch Markers? (Must Have Knitting Tools)
• Knitting Tools For Beginners + Essential Accessories
• How To Measure Circular Knitting Needles – A Guide
• The Best Double-Pointed Knitting Needles – A Guide
• 13 Best Knitting Needles For Sock Knitting
• Best Knitting Needles For Beginners
• 10 Best Neck Lights For Knitting
• How To Knit A Buttonhole (5 Best Ways)