| Author |
 Topic  |
|
sewwhat
Chatty Knitter
USA
221 Posts |
 Posted - 02/05/2008 : 12:20:44 PM
|
| I have not done cables for along time so I couldn't find my cable needle. Consequently I am using Wendy Johnson's method of making a cable without a cable needle. I am finding it pretty fiddly and slow. Should I just buy another cable needle or persevere with Wendy's method in hopes I can get faster with it? Has anyone out there tried her method or know of another one that might be speedier? |
|
|
Mirl56
Chatty Knitter
USA
123 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2008 : 12:53:10 PM
|
Is Wendy's the same one as here? - http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques - scroll down to Decorative Stitches.
I can only do it if the total # of stitches in the calbe is 4 - ie, I'm sortof dropping 2 stitches while scooping up the next 2, then grabbing the first 2. More then that, I don't even want to try. |
 |
|
|
Dicksie
Permanent Resident
USA
1995 Posts |
|
|
HomekeepingGran
Seriously Hooked
614 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2008 : 2:39:53 PM
|
I am so glad to see this from you more experienced knitters. I don't mind doing cables with a cable needle. I do mind losing the stitches every time I try it without and I have to dig them back out of the knitting before I can proceed. I think I'm a tad miffed by all the talk: "You must learn to cable without a cable needle, dahling, it's soooooo much easier!" I'll be happier doing it the supposedly "slow" way, thank you. (Carla — forever a backward rebel.)
Blessings,
Carla
She seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands... Proverbs 31:13 |
|
|
|
mrssuem
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
456 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2008 : 5:44:01 PM
|
| Until you get a new cable needle did you try using a dp needle as a cable needle? I have used one in a pinch. SUe |
|
|
|
Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 02/05/2008 : 5:51:09 PM
|
A toothpick, chopstick, or Q-tip can also work in a pinch. Oh, and a bobbypin.
I tried that needle-less method and found it too difficult. THEN I started working on a cotton/acrylic sweater on big needles (10? 10 1/2? I don't know). That is the only time I've gotten her method to work.
Hand and foot when harmonized forms martialism/but Military and literary when harmonized is art and this brings/philosophy. (Lee, Chang Hoo) |
|
|
|
abbierose
Seriously Hooked
USA
985 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 04:55:33 AM
|
I find Grumperina's method the easies way to cable without a cable need. http://www.grumperina.com/cables.htm
I never liked it until I used her way, and now I do it all the time for small twists.
Melissa
My blog:Tia Knits |
|
|
|
COgirl
Permanent Resident
USA
2176 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 07:44:42 AM
|
| I'm trying this technique for the first time. I'm going to keep at it, but my yarn gets a little splitty. I've tried Grumperina's way, next time I'll try the way in the video. I'm not sure I like it. One direction goes pretty fast though. Maybe with practice it will be faster. |
|
|
|
ceecee
Permanent Resident
1896 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 08:01:49 AM
|
| The cable needle-less methods are easier with heavier yarns and larger needles. I've found it quite challenging for socks since the stitches are tighter and under more tension and thus more prone to quickly unravelling once off the needle. I like the bobby pin idea! Smooth and easy to clip onto the knitting (or your hair) when not in use. |
|
|
|
RachelKnitter
Permanent Resident
USA
2995 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 08:56:13 AM
|
I still use a cable needle for some wider cables, particularly right twists, but I have now fully converted otherwise to Grumperina's method which saves several steps from Wendy's method while still requiring the same basic maneuver. I'm glad I found Grumperina's method because I found Wendy's more fiddly than using a cable needle, and in general found cabling too fiddly to do very often. Now that I've adapted to Grumperina's method, I don't mind cabling at all anymore.
--------
You are about to be told one more time that you are America’s most valuable natural resource. Have you seen what they do to valuable natural resources? -Utah Phillips, addressing a group of young people
My brand new blog of randomness: http://cerebral.typepad.com |
|
|
|
RachelKnitter
Permanent Resident
USA
2995 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 08:57:38 AM
|
Oh, and I have always used a short dpn instead of a cable needle.
--------
You are about to be told one more time that you are America’s most valuable natural resource. Have you seen what they do to valuable natural resources? -Utah Phillips, addressing a group of young people
My brand new blog of randomness: http://cerebral.typepad.com |
|
|
|
NCmusiclady
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
541 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 08:58:56 AM
|
So happy to read that I'm not the only one. . .
I'm making my very first cable garment - a center cable sweater and it's being made with size 11 needles. I didn't like the knitting from the cable needle, but found that a size 11 dpn did the trick for me.
I read Wendy's blog every chance I get and I like her work, but when I tried her method, my mohair blend yarn didn't take to her method as well as the dpn.
I think we just need to try and see what works for us. Different strokes for different folks! |
|
|
|
Kelly B
Permanent Resident
USA
2206 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 10:17:57 AM
|
I've happily used Wendy's method, but I'll have to try Grumperina's next.
If the yarn is slippery, I use my yarn needle(Chibi-type). I always have one of those in my bag, and DPNs are too long for me to use for cabling.
|
|
|
|
Nartian
Chatty Knitter
128 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 2:30:42 PM
|
I love Wendy's method. For some reason, Grumperina's method doesn't work as well for me. Both methods are equally valid though. I figure it's simply the way I knit.
blog: http://stilaholicnartianknits.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
|
COgirl
Permanent Resident
USA
2176 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 7:45:06 PM
|
| I tried the one in the video link above and that worked the best for me. I'm using that method from now on. |
|
|
|
achrisvet
Permanent Resident
USA
5986 Posts |
Posted - 02/06/2008 : 8:46:20 PM
|
I'm wondering of Grumperina's method is easiest for continental knitters. I love it. I'm doing a saxon braid, with 4 to 8 twists per RS row. I would go nuts trying to do ti with a cable needle.
Anita
My completed projects
and here
|
|
|
|
Mickey
Permanent Resident
USA
1670 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 12:15:25 AM
|
Dpn's for me, no question about it. I've never used a cable needle. In a pinch, I've done something like Grumperina's method (I knit continental) and it worked, but wasn't fun at all. |
|
|
|
denvani
New Pal
42 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 04:03:41 AM
|
| Can someone please refer me to Wendy's blog address? |
|
|
|
scraffan
Permanent Resident
1844 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 04:15:54 AM
|
I use either my cable needle or a double pointed needle the same size as my needles in the project.
I saw the cableing without a cable needle on Knitty Gritty and said no way. I am afraid of dropping stitches/lossing stitches
Karen (currantly working on the Mai Tai purse/clutch?) and that has two cables side by side. |
|
|
|
irishmomof9
Chatty Knitter
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 05:18:43 AM
|
In over 50 years of knitting, I've never owned a cable needle. My great love is the Celtic design, and I simply use double point needles to cable. Why complicate life?
...and may God hold you in the palm of His hand |
|
|
|
Mickey
Permanent Resident
USA
1670 Posts |
Posted - 02/07/2008 : 06:15:31 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by denvani
Can someone please refer me to Wendy's blog address?
http://wendyknits.net/index.html
but I guess you want the tutorials
and cabling without a needle can be learned here |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Cable needle or Wendy's cable method?
