A couple months ago, I saw these things pop up at knitting and fiber events, and wondered what the fuss was about.
They looked like silly things. And they were priced between $15-20 a set. What the heck? What was the benefit of using these in my knitting?
They sounded like another gadget I wouldn't use and would waste my money on. They looked silly. I couldn't see anyone using them, nor find tutorials on how to use them. So I let it be.
But then, it tickled me. I was curious. So I ordered one.
I must admit, the set sat next to my knitting for weeks. When would I have time to use these? And for what?
I was busy knitting extra variations of the Super Duper Quick Hat, and I didn't see a need for this accessory at this point.
But then, during the holidays, I casted on a sweater.
And when it was time to try on the sweater for fit, I thought about it, and opted to try these knitting cords.
My first thought was this: Man, this cord is super long. It is 10 yards (9.14m) long, which is way more than what was needed to try the sweater on.
I was worried it would be flimsy, that my stitches would drop and be lost if the cord got untucked from the needle tips. But even gentle tugs didn't make the cords budge. Sweet.
I slipped the stitches onto the cord, and proceeded to try on the sweater. It all worked great. I was ready to vouch that it's a great option.
But here's when it blew my mind. It was time to put the stitches back on to the needle. Accustomed to using waste yarn and having to go from waste yarn onto darning needle to knitting needles; or to the more luxurious way of simply having to knit another round using another needle of the same size and juggling 4 tips - which becomes expensive really quickly, since it requires to own doubles of each needles-, which required me to be sure I could sit for however long working a full round or two would require, I wasn't ready for the magic to happen.
But let me tell you, it happened. As the stitches were sliding back onto the needles, I was in awe. Insert angels singing, light shining down on my knitting project, the smell of delight and the taste of success, and you might have an idea of what I'm talking about.
First, the cord is much sturdier than waste yarn, which makes it easier for the stitches to glide on. Then, it attaches to the needle tips so well that you need to pull quite hard to get them untucked (I'm exaggerating a bit, but not by much). Honestly, it was a charm to try the sweater on and slide the stitches on and off the cord. It took me less than 2 minutes. Literally.
So I sat there, thinking about how silly it was that all this time I refrained from trying my top-down sweaters at regular intervals because I didn't want to deal with the hassle of slipping the stitches onto waste yarn.
This. Is. So. Much. Easier.
So. Much. Easier.
It would be a great tool if its usability stopped here, but that's not the end yet.
As I played with the cord a bit, I discovered something else: You can cut the cord with scissors, and use the length you need.
Let me repeat it again. You can cut the cord with scissors, and use the length you need.
And here it is again for the people in the back: You can cut the cord with scissors, and use the length you need!!!
And here's what I did here:
I cut a length of about 2.5 yards (2.28m) , so it can be reused later for a sweater without needing the whole 10 yards cord (now about 7.5 yards / 6.85 m post cut). I quickly put the thumb stitches on hold here, and it required only a few seconds to put them back on the needle when I was ready to work them.
So this is what those knitting keeper cords are: waste yarn on the go, much sturdier, no need for a darning needle, and comes in a tin that you can carry in your project bag with a few stitch markers and progress keepers added to the lot.
Think about the possibilities.
You can try on your top-down sweater in a minute or two. You can put stitches on hold in a minute - think sleeves. You can put your whole project on hold with this knitting keeper cord and be done with it in less than 2 minutes and reuse your needle, saving you from buying a ton of extra interchangeable cables and tips or extra needles in similar sizes. Use the 2 stoppers included to keep your stitches; or think outside the box, and use a single DPN or even a cable needle (!), attach the cord to each ends and move on.
How's that for flexibility?
It would be pretty awesome if it ended there, but it doesn't. I just mentioned that you can cut the cord to whatever length you want, right? You read that? Yes?
Well, then, here's what you can do with it. Magic!
*(Star progress keeper not included in the set!)
In the picture above, I cut a 3 inch length. 3 inches (7.6 cm) out of a 10 yards (360 inches/ 9.14m) length! You don't need fancy needle point stoppers anymore, because you've got those.
*****I truly want to repeat this, so it sinks in, but if you haven't gotten it by now, just start over from the top of this blog post. (Adding the ***** so scrollers know the information above is worth it!). Go up!!! *****
Skip the fancy stitch stoppers, skip the extra needles, and streamline your knitting supplies with these knitting cords!
And now you think I'm done, right? Right?
Well, I pushed the idea further.
And here's what I did:
Explanation: In a pinch, you can increase your cable length by joining this cord to the tip of a needle and insert the end to the screwing part of your needle (this will work with the small cables of the Chiaogoo interchangeable set). It works with regular (non-interchangeable) needles as well.
The needles don't even need to be the same size, you can use a smaller needle in the center, so the stitches glide more easily.
Any needle size between US 2.5 and US 8 (3.00 mm to 5.00 mm) will work like a charm with this cord.
How's that for versatility!?!
Available in the shop in 4 different colors: yellow/chartreuse, bright pink, and white (the light blue cord is exclusive to the Knitter's Delight box).