A step-by-step tutorial on how to cable knit without a cable needle to increase your speed – no matter if its a left or right cross.
Sometimes a pattern involves a lot of cable stitches. Typically Aran sweaters are riddled with them. Slipping stitches, moving the cable needle back and forth requires time. And if there are a lot of cables, this will amount to quite a lot of time. So, what if there was a way to knit cables without cable needles?
Here’s the good news: There are actually two! And in this tutorial, I am going to show you step by step how to knit the more popular version.
I use the exact same technique to knit my cable projects (like this beautiful cable cowl or this cable knit hat) and I’d never ever go back to knitting with hooks, cable needles, and the like.
But if you find it a bit too difficult yet, then you’ll find my detailed regular cable stitch tutorial here.
Anyway, let’s dive right into it, eh?
Note: I earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this article.
How to cable knit without a cable needle
This technique basically boils down to dropping the stitches you normally would have to hold in the back/front and then picking them up again. Sounds scary? Like it would unravel? Absolutely not! With a little bit of practice, you will soon wonder why you ever used a cable needle - especially as the results will often be much neater
These instructions are for a 2x2 cable (right cross). But will work in a similar way for smaller or bigger cable stitches as well.
Instructions
- Insert the right needle into the third and fourth stitch on your left needle from the front.
- Use your right index finger to press the first two stitches against the right needle and pull the left needle out of those first four stitches.
Two stitches should be secured on your right needle, while two stitches will be secured by your index finger pressing them against the right needle so they don't unravel or drop out of range. - Pick up the two dropped stitches with your left needle straight away.
- Slip the two slipped stitches on your right needle back to the left needle and knit 4 stitches.
Notes
I KNOW this sounds scary. As a knitter, you are taught to avoid all situations where stitches may drop. But contrary to what you might think, stitches only unravel if you put stress on the fabric/yarn. So, avoid that, keep calm and things will work out just fine. Try to bunch the next stitches on the left needle really close to the tip. If they are too loose, you will have to move your needle around too much when dropping the stitches and picking them up again.
2. Left Cable Cross without a cable needle
The left cross cable is knit in a very similar way. The only difference is that you insert the needle into the third and fourth stitch from the back. It’s actually the easier version. As a lot of steps are the same:
Step 1: Insert the needle into the third and fourth stitch from the back.
Step 2: Secure the first two stitches with your thumb and pull out the right needle.
Step 3: Pick up the dropped stitches with our left needle again.
Step 4: And slip the two stitches on your right needle back to the left needle as well. Then knit four.
In that manner, you can also knit 1×1 or 3×3 cables without a needle. The smaller the cable, the easier it is, the bigger, the harder it gets. Bavarian twisted stitches are typically always crossed without a cable needle.
An alternative method: Knitting into back stitches
For 1×1, 2×1 or 3×1 cables there is also a way to knit without a cable needle and without dropping the stitches. Basically, it involves knitting a stitch from the back of your work. So, you insert the needle in between two stitches, then you bring the needle to the front, and then you knit a Norwegian purl or knit stitch.
I don’t like this method at all as it requires you to knit very closely and it results in sloppy cables (in my opinion, lol).
Either way, this was my guide to knitting cables without a cable needle. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments below!
This is an amazing tutorial, thank you!! I much prefer this route than using the cable needle.
Hey Sandra,
happy to hear I could show you a better way!
I just discovered this awesome video, 95% into my wicker pattern kimono.
And it just works wonders, lesson learned for my next projects.
As for me, I sometimes have to release & hold the stitches before I can catch the next ones (even scarier), because my KnitPro 8mm needles are too blunt to be inserted easily (knitwise three stitches behind the first three).
Thank you so much !
This was a game changer for me!!! Just finished a scarf with cables – love this technique. You are teaching me so many new things and did the new SSK way! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! You do beautiful work. Aspire to be!
I’m about to start my first cable needle project (your mug cozy, actually). And will use the cable needle to start. But I saw you mentioned Norwegian Purl in this post. And that is how I have learned to do purls. Will it affect the outcome also when knitting normally with the cable needle? (or other projects for that matter?) Should I be doing normal continental purls instead?
no it will not affect it at all, so stick to it.
The comment concerned a special technique where you knit a 1×1 cable without a cable needle that is very similar to Norwegian purl.but for now, just don’t worry about that.
Thank you so much!!
Thank you so much, working on a pattern with a ton of single crosses and you just saved me so much fiddling about with a cable needle