Cable Knitting Without a Cable Needle

Cables are great, but working with a cable needle can be a bit of a hassle – and I seldom seem to have one on hand when needed. To get around any number of cable-needle issues, I’ve found ways to improvise. Sometimes I use a pencil stub, a paperclip, a twist-tie, or an extra knitting needle…you get the idea!

I can often work cable turns more quickly and easily without a cable needle. This isn’t true in every situation (skip to my notes on usage below), but for most of the cable turns we use in our designs, this is a useful trick.

It’s easy to cable without a cable needle!

To work a cable turn without a cable needle, rearrange the stitches into their ‘twisted’ order (using the needle tips) and then knit across them. Here are some specifics:

1. How to work a front (left leaning) cable without a cable needle
2. How to work a back (right leaning) cable without a cable needle
3. How to work a twist (with purls) without a cable needle
4. Tips for working cable turns without a cable needle

(If you find the abbreviations or knitting pattern conventions confusing, check out our tutorial How to Read a Knitting Pattern.)

How to work a front (left twist) cable without a cable needle

To cable 4 front (c4F) with a cable needle, slip 2 stitches (sts) to cable needle, hold in front, k2 from left-hand (LH) needle, and k2 from cable needle.

To work the same c4F cable turn without a cable needle:

1. Rearrange the stitches on the LH needle as follows:
   • Pass the right-hand (RH) needle tip behind the 1st and 2nd sts and then insert it into the 3rd and 4th sts on the LH needle.
   • Remove the LH needle from all 4 sts (the 1st and 2nd sts are just hanging out, in front).
   • Pass the LH needle tip in front of the 3rd and 4th sts and then insert it into the 2nd and 1st sts.
   • Slip the 3rd and 4th sts from the RH needle tip back to the LH needle tip; the four stitches are now rearranged.
2. Knit across the four rearranged stitches.

This process sounds difficult, but in reality, on the needles, I find it quicker and easier than working the same turn using a cable needle. Check out the video below to see the it in practice. Note: The same method can be used to work cable turns that twist 3 over 3, 2 over 4, etc.

How to work a back (right twist) cable without a cable needle

To cable 6 back (c6B) with a cable needle, slip 3 sts to cable needle, hold in back, k3 from LH needle, and k3 from cable needle.

To work the same c6B cable turn without a cable needle:

1. Rearrange the stitches on the LH needle as follows:
   • Pass the RH needle tip in front of the first three sts and then insert it into the 4th, 5th and 6th sts on the LH needle.
   • Remove the LH needle from all 5 sts (the first 3 sts are just hanging out, in back).
   • Pass the LH needle tip behind the 4th, 5th, and 6th sts and then insert it into the first three sts.
   • Slip the first three sts from the RH needle tip back to the LH needle tip; the six stitches are now rearranged.
2. Knit across the six rearranged stitches.

I find this one slightly more tricky to work than c6F, but it’s still just fine.

What if it’s a twist (with purls), not a cable (all knits)?

To work a t4F or t4B, where some of the stitches are worked as purls rather than all knits, the process will be exactly the same. Rearrange the stitches on the LH needle and then work as required using knits and purls while you knit across them, after they have been rearranged.

Tips for working cable turns without a cable needle

For me, cabling without a cable needle works best when I keep the following tips in mind:

1. It’s easiest to work with cable turns over six or fewer stitches. When there are A LOT of stitches involved, I find the method of rearranging stitches then and working them becomes more awkward. If it feels difficult, I switch back to using a cable needle.
2. Keeping a relaxed tension helps because it allows those stitches to STRETCH across one another without becoming unworkably tight on the needles.
3. Pointy needle tips help me scoop up the hanging stitches quickly and effectively.
4. Working with woolier and ‘grippier’ yarns makes this technique easier. Because you’re letting your stitches ‘hang out’ for the time it takes to rearrange them, this technique may be more difficult with slippery yarns that are more prone to unravel at a moment’s hesitation. That said, with all the yarns I’ve used, this technique has worked just fine.

If you’re itching to start cabling, get ready for Lazy Sunday, a new collection of cozy, delicious cabled knits coming very soon! Sign up for our email updates today, and we’ll let you know when it’s available.

If you’d like to try cabling without a cable needle right now, check out our Antler Cardigan, Antler pullover, or free Antler Hat!

Antler

Stovetop

Light and Shadow

Apple Pie

Bonfire

Antler Hat (free!)