Cabling Without a Cable Needle
For small cables (1/1, 2/2, occasionally 3/3), it is faster to "drop and re-mount" the held stitches off the needle rather than use a cable needle. This technique is the speed secret of professional Aran knitters.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
Method for a 2/2 left cross
Slip the first two stitches knitwise off the left needle and pinch them in front of the work. Slip the next two stitches off the left needle and let them sit at the back. Slip the held front stitches back onto the left needle, then pick up the back stitches with the right needle and slip them onto the left needle. Knit four stitches across.
Method for a 2/2 right cross
Same as above but hold the front stitches behind the work instead of in front. The crossing direction is determined by which side you hold the dropped stitches.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Why it is faster
Each cable cross saves the time of picking up a cable needle, holding it in front or back, and putting it down. Over a 100-row Aran sweater with eight cables per row, the time saved adds up to hours.
When not to use
For 3/3, 4/4, or larger cables, the held stitches are too many to manage in pinched fingers. Use a cable needle for any cross over 2/2.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LC | left cross |
| RC | right cross |
| cn | cable needle |
Tips
- Practice on a swatch with 2/2 cables before trying on a real project.
- Use a smooth, plied yarn — single-ply yarn is too easy to drop or split during the dropping motion.
- Always pinch the held stitches firmly between thumb and forefinger to prevent them dropping below the needle.
In depth
Cabling without a cable needle relies on the fact that small numbers of dropped stitches are stable enough to be re-mounted without a holding tool. The technique works because the surrounding fabric and the working yarn keep the dropped stitches from running, as long as they are picked back up within seconds.