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Cost: $ $ $ $ $

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Time: 20 mins

Where to keep that cable needle? A solution.
Now as I've said many a time, I do love my knit cables. However it wasn't until knitting on a particularly cramped plane once that I suddenly became self aware enough to realize I was sticking my cable needle (and extra double point for that matter) in my mouth when not in use. Oh.
So what to do with it?

I know many rave about cabling without a cable needle and I do it for 1x1 cables sometimes but generally it's just not for me. (I end up feeling I'm strangling rather than working the cables). I like working fast though and all other methods have fallen short (sticking behind the ear- long hair bad idea / in the knitting - it falls out, split stitches / setting it down- the invisible gnomes abscond with it, etc).

With Mother Necessity nudging me, I set my mind to inventing a solution. I wanted a method that didn't require letting go of the knitting and liked a similar idea to the wrist pin cushion. After a few failed prototypes this is what I came up with and Eureka, it works perfectly!

This cable needle holder is worn like a ring on any finger that's comfortable. The elastic loop performs double duty as a button loop closure and holds the cable needle securely under tension. The cable needle is slipped in and out as needed without having to let go of the working yarn or needles.

Posted by Jennifer T. from Dallas, Texas, United States • Published 29th January 2009 • See Jennifer T.'s 17 projects »

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Debora N. favorited Cable Needle Ring 17 Sep 23:00
Anna J. favorited Cable Needle Ring 19 Mar 18:33
Heather F. added Cable Needle Ring to Stuff to make 08 Aug 20:44
Jennifer T. entered her project Cable Needle Ring to Way Basics 19 Jun 19:59
Jennifer T. entered her project Cable Needle Ring to Jump From Paper 03 Jan 19:59
Youghurt Jaja favorited Cable Needle Ring 08 Aug 00:25
sweetsundae0 favorited Cable Needle Ring 14 Jul 02:58
Jennifer T. entered her project Cable Needle Ring to Cath Kidston's Sew! Contest 22 Oct 19:34

Step 1
First fold and press your hems, your final size should be 3" x 5/8". This final size is what matters, not the hem allowance. (Also, does pressing my folds with my hair straightener instead of the huge industrial iron make me a total freak?)

I used the fabric selvedge here as it was a little sturdier for attaching the elastic.
Step 2
View from the right side. Note: if you have thin fingers (smaller than size 6), or would like to wear this on your pinky I'd recommend making the piece shorter.
Step 3
Next fold the piece of elastic in half and secure it to the inside hem fabric making sure not to go through both layers. It's pictured here half unfolded on the right side. I found lashing down both ends by wrapping the thread around everything a few times help to initially secure it. Then work up and over each end in a figure 8 fashion being sure to pierce through the elastic a few times until it's nice and secure.
Step 4
If you have greater finesse with a sewing machine than I, topstitch around all the edges to secure hem. Otherwise hand sew with backstitch.
Step 5
Finally, sew on your button. If not using the recommended shank type button be sure you make a good strong thread shank. (You will be putting a lot a repeated tension on this closure.)
Step 6
Now you're ready to zoom through your next cabling project!
I'm really rather fond of mine and happily wear it simply as jewelry. Definitely more stylish if forgotten than a needle behind the ear (or in the other stow-away place I've heard of- the cleavage)!

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Comments

sweetsundae0 · Ajax, Ontario, CA · 50 projects 23rd June 2012

"the invisible knomes abscond with it"

possibly the best sentence ever created! You made my day with this

Jess D. · United Kingdom, GB · 8 projects 2nd February 2009

That's great! I recently started knitting, and was doing a lot in bed, putting my needle down on my duvet and then throwing it far across the room or down the side of my bed every time I stood up! Fantastic idea!