February 26th, 2013
Tuesday’s Knitting Tip – How to Fix Curly Circular Needle Cords
Sometimes when you start using brand new circular needles, the cords can be a little unruly. They can get very curly and twisted from being in the packaging, which makes it hard to keep your project flat and can be frustrating to work with.
All you need to remedy this is some warm water. You want the water to be hot, but not boiling. I use my teakettle on the stove and wait until I see some steam, but warming up even just a mug of water in the microwave would work too. Dip the cords into the water for a few seconds, then stretch out the needles and give a gentle tug. The warm water will relax the plastic enough to release the curl. Only do a few seconds at a time! You don’t want to accidentally melt your cords.
Customer Service Liaison at WEBS - America's Yarn Store
I started working at WEBS in September 2010. I learned how to knit 5 years ago and have been crocheting since childhood. When I'm not knitting, I love to be outside with my Black Lab, Ellie.
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February 26th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
You can also leave them hanging over something with the weight of the needles to pull them down. Though your way is quicker, I have more luck with mine.
February 26th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
Thank you! I have been wondering if warm water would relax the curl but had been timid to try. It is on now, curly circulars!
February 26th, 2013 at 2:38 pm
It doesn’t always work. I have really cheap needles that I got off eBay that won’t relax at all. Got what I paid for.
February 26th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
I have done with with Knitpicks cables. It works well, but I have to dip and straighten several times before the curl really comes out.
February 26th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
Great tip – thanks so much!!
February 26th, 2013 at 3:33 pm
I have steamed mine with my iron. I stretch the cord out and place a small hand towel over it and then press.
February 26th, 2013 at 8:29 pm
Yep, that’s what I do. It’s better than having to cook water in a pot and avoiding getting the bamboo needles wet.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:12 pm
I never use circular needles, I hate them. 35 years ago when they were new and cutting edge I did, but now I always use bamboo DPN’s,so much more pleasant to work with. And versatile, too.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:15 pm
I have also used a hair dryer
February 26th, 2013 at 9:33 pm
Great tips . Thanks
February 26th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
I just run the tap water until it’s hot and hold the needles apart while running the warm water on the cord. It works, no danger of meting the cord with too hot water and I’m ready to go in a shorter time than it takes to heat the water on the stove.
February 26th, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Please do not use that pot on the stove. It is not stove top safe, and is liable to shatter into glass shards.
February 26th, 2013 at 10:18 pm
I always use my hair dryer and the cord relaxes quite quickly.
February 27th, 2013 at 10:08 am
Try sitting on them for a while. No danger of melting here. Your cords need to be relaxed not straight. Of course, store them flat.
February 28th, 2013 at 7:17 pm
I’m pretty sure that actually is a stove top proof pot. I had a similar vintage corningware pot and it was fine for the stove top (just not in the micro or oven)…Otherwise, great tips!
March 11th, 2013 at 3:09 pm
I use my hair dryer…works great!
April 29th, 2013 at 10:27 pm
I use a plastic skirt hanger, the kind w/ a clip at each end. . . i clip all my circular needles stretched out between the 2 clips, and hang it in the closet of my craft room. No need to “unkink” them when I’m ready to knit!
March 20th, 2014 at 7:40 pm
what do I do if I bought knitting needles the right size – but the wrong length. In other words too long?
April 21st, 2015 at 9:09 pm
Like someone else mentioned, I run my hot water tap and then run my KnitPicks cords through the running water. Much easier and faster.
May 12th, 2016 at 11:23 pm
Thank you for the hair dryer suggestion! I think it may have worked! I have 47″ Addi lace needles that would not relax from hot water. They curled tightly and tangled in the two balls of yarn for my 2-at-a-time socks. I finally had to stop using them. I hope this does it!
December 13th, 2019 at 10:08 am
This worked well with a little swishing with my cheap wal mart ones. Great idea and worked in like 30 seconds of heat. Zapped hot tap water for 2 minutes. Worked perfectly
February 27th, 2020 at 10:48 am
What can I do to uncurl metal cables on circular needles?
Looking forward to your reply.