How to soften the Cable on Circular Needles?
Knitting with stiff cables aren’t any fun, and with twisted ones… well, don’t get me started at that!
There are a few hacks you can use to soften the cable on your circular knitting needles.
The one thing all these methods have in common is heat. The key is to let the heat soften the cable and then straighten it if needed. Remember to be careful so you don’t burn your hands, it’s time to bring out the oven gloves!
Let’s go through the tips and see what can be a good fit to solve your problem.
Tip 1. Let hot water soften the cable
Hold your cable under the tap in while running hot water. Cover the joints where the needle tips connect to the cable. Otherwise, water can get in there harming your needles, or start melting the glue.
Tip 2. Give the hot water another go…
If you’re not satisfied with the results achieved by your warm water tap, try this instead.
Boil a pot of water, take it off the stove and then soak your cable in the warm water. (Be careful with the joints so you don’t get any bad surprises later on!)
Leave the cables in there for five minutes and check to see if they have been softened. If not, try tip number 3…
Tip 3. Try steaming to straighten your cable
You can try to hold the cable in the steam above a pot of boiling water for five minutes, or more if needed.
Watch out, it’s easy to get burned by the steam. And if this isn’t doing the trick, I have one more ace up my sleeve. Keep on reading!
Tip 4. Warm up the cable with your hairdryer
The hairdryer isn’t just for blowing your hair. I have heard people also use it to dry “other kinds of hair” blowing up under the towel after a bath. I sure hope that hasn’t happened to my hairdryer…In which case, you can also use it to heat up the cable of your circular knitting needles. And that’s a much better use for it!
Straighten out your needles on a flat surface, like a table or countertop. Place something on the tips to keep everything in place. Heat the cable with your hairdryer. Use as much heat as possible, and move the hairdryer along the cable to distribute the warmth even.
Tried it all and nothing worked?
Well, not all cables are willing to be tamed. If it works or not depends on the material in the cable.
I have also experienced that cables can stiffen with time. Or could this just be me getting pickier over time? I don’t know, but that’s surely possible!
There is one final solution to this problem
I have a great solution that will ensure that you will never have to knit with a stiff cable again. A solution that will make your knitting more pleasurable and fun! A tip that will make your magic loops truly magic.
I will tell you about my absolute favorite amongst knitting needles. Drumroll please! HiyaHiya Interchangeable Knitting Needles. Get this set, you will not regret it!
Sevens years of use – still as new!
I have knitted on my HiyaHiya needles daily for years and they are still as new. The cables are smooth, the tips are shiny, and I wish all knitters a set. Unfortunately, I’m not that rich, so you will have to buy them yourselves. But they are worth every penny.
––> Want to know more? Read everything about these needles and why I recommend them warmly in this post. Review: HiyaHiya interchangeable knitting needles
––> If you’re already convinced that these needles are for you: They’re available at Amazon!
