Let’s be honest: cable knitting looks amazing but using a cable needle can be a bit annoying. It slows you down, gets lost down the back of the couch and just feels a little clumsy.
If you relate to any of this, it’s time to drop your cable needle.
In this blog post, we explain how cable knitting is without cable needleworks and why you should give it a try on your next knitting project. We also share six straight-to-the-point video tutorials that show you this technique with absolutely no chit chat.
What is the Cable Without a Cable Needle Method?
Cable knitting involves crossing stitches over one another to create twists in your knitted fabric – usually, with the help of a cable needle. However, the same effect can be created without one.
Cabling without a cable needle involves rearranging your stitches by allowing them to slip off the needle momentarily before you catch them again. This might sound a little scary, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
When you cable without a cable needle, it really speeds up your knitting. You don’t have to rummage around in your notions pouch trying to find the right needle, plus it makes rows with multiple cables a breeze!
Knitting Cables Without a Cable Needle Video Tutorials
We’ve created six short videos to show you different ways you can cable without a cable needle, including C2B, C2F, C4B, C4F, Cr4R and Cr4L. Each video tutorial gets straight to the point with written & visual prompts.C2B
- Slip first 2 sts from left-hand needle to right-hand needle together, knitwise.
- Slip those 2 sts back to the left-hand needle, without twisting, by inserting needle from left to right.
- Knit those 2 sts through the back loop individually to complete the cable cross.
C2F
- Slip first 2 sts from left-hand needle to right-hand needle, one at a time, knitwise.
- Slip those 2 sts back to left-hand needle, with a twist, by inserting left needle through the front from right to left.
- Knit those 2 sts through the front loop individually to complete the cable cross.
C4B
- Bring yarn to front, slip next 2 sts purlwise, take yarn to back, knit next 2 sts.
- Bring yarn to front, take left-hand needle behind work and insert into the 2 sts you slipped in step 1.
- Carefully pinch the base of the 2 sts you knitted in step 1. Slip those 2 sts off the right-hand needle and then back onto the needle as shown.
- Take the yarn to the back and knit the 2 sts on the left-hand needle.
C4F
- Keep working yarn at back of work and slip next 2 sts purlwise, then knit 2 sts.
- Using the left-hand needle, insert it into the front of the 2 sts you slipped in step 1.
- Carefully pinch the base of the 2 sts you knitted in step 1. Slip those 2 sts off the right-hand needle and then back onto the needle as shown.
- Knit the 2 sts on the left-hand needle.
Cr4R
- Bring yarn to front, slip next 3 sts purlwise, take yarn to back and knit the next stitch.
- Bring yarn to front of work, and using left-hand needle, insert it into the back of the 3 sts you slipped in step 1.
- Carefully pinch the base of the st you knitted in step 1. Slip that st off the right-hand needle and then back onto the needle as shown.
- Take the yarn to the back of your work and knit the 3 sts on the left-hand needle.
Cr4L
- With yarn at back of work, slip 1 st purlwise then knit the next 3 sts.
- Using the left-hand needle, insert it into the front of the stitch you slipped in step 1.
- Carefully pinch the base of the 3 sts you knitted in step 1. Slip those 3 sts off the right-hand needle and then back onto the needle as shown.
- Knit the st on the left-hand needle.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with any new skill, cabling without a cable needle might feel a bit strange but with a grippy yarn, such as Cumbria or Lore, and a bit of patience, you’ll be confident in no time.If you’re looking for projects to practice your new found cable knitting skill on, our Cable Wristwarmers pattern is ideal!