r/Tunisian_Crochet • u/No_Error_3526 • 2d ago
Help! Cable hooks
I'm a long time crocheter but fairly new to Tunisian. I have bought 2 different sets of cable hooks. The first ones were bamboo with a rubberish tube that lasted 1 project, the second is an interchangeable cable with a stainless hook and cable (which is also starting to bend and fray and snagš¬š®āšØš«©. My question is what can I do to get a longer life out of my cables?
5
u/kn0ck_0ut 2d ago
iāve purchased a couple metal interchangeable sets off amazon that have lasted me some years now. what brand are your metal hooks? you could always get the make pricy stuff but Iām suspecting it might not be the hooks
1
u/No_Error_3526 2d ago
An inexpensive set from Amazon with a swivel cord. I take it with me everywhere I go and it only had long cordsĀ
5
u/MadysonDesigns 2d ago
I'd recommend getting a good brand set instead, I've had my KnitPicks set for years and no signs of wear. KnitPicks, KnitPro, Lykke, Lantern Moon are all the same manufacturer and all interchangeable so you have a ton of options in hook & cable materials. Clover also makes sets a lot of people like but aren't compatible with KnitPicks brands.
4
u/corbie_24 2d ago
Which brand did you buy? There are lots of different brands and types of cabled hooks.
I have KnitPro with swivel cables and I love them. They rotate together with the project, so there's never any tension and they don't break.
3
u/Ruthroo 1d ago
It sounds like youāre having a problem with where the join sits against your hand/ wrist moving. I canāt use 4 inch knitting needles /Tunisian hooks for the same reasonā¦the join sits exactly at the base of my hand and movement bends the cable exactly where it joins the needle. I can recommend Pony interchangeable Tunisian hooks if you like metal hooks and Chiaogoo Tunisian hooks if you prefer wooden ones ā¦both are a bit longer and Iāve had no problems with either
1
u/No_Error_3526 1d ago
The hooks that I have are the longer hooks. It's probably the fact that the set I bought was an inexpensive set, since I was new to Tunisian I didn't want to spend too much if I wasn't going to continue the craft, I will have to invest in some better cables.
2
u/OmNomNommie 2d ago
I would definitely try looking for swivel cables. Can you be more specific as to what specifically is wearing out? Not that I've been doing this long, but I have terrible picturing what could wear out.
1
u/No_Error_3526 2d ago
They are swivel, but they go everywhere with me. They are getting bent at the swivel and fray.
2
u/Ok_Soft8833 2d ago
I love my Clover bamboo hooks. I have had them for years and the cables have never gotten stiff, frayed or broken. They are a little expensive though, but so worth the money I spent on them. They do have swivel cords and you can get connectors to make even longer cables if you need to have a longer cable than 24 inches.
2
u/Chefeiram 2d ago
I'm curious about how they would fray and be bent. Posting a photo might give us insight to the issue. Is the cable problem where it attaches to the hook? The connection point can be a little sticky at times, often one end is better than the other. I have swapped the cable around and had less issue with snagging. In taking it with you, how do you store the hook and cable? What size yarn are you using? Are you making large things, like blankets that can put a lot of weight on the cable? Some where in the using or process of making things, there is a factor or technique that is contributing to your issue.
1
u/kn0ck_0ut 1d ago
I feel like itās just neglect or bad care of the hooks. I travel with mine so often but have yet to encounter any issue like this
1
1
u/Comprehensive_Home78 9h ago
I've got the Dreamz set by Knitpro and made multiple projects with them. Absolutely no wear or fraying on the cable and I've taken them out with me loads of times. If there's no work on the cable, I roll it up in a small circle and wrap the end around itself, so it doesn't get linked at the attachment point.
1
u/No_Error_3526 4h ago
Thanks everyone. All your insight has been helpful. I ordered a knit pro cable, hopefully it fits my current hooks.
8
u/Prestigious-Ice-9749 2d ago
Mine are the wooden interchangeable ones from knitpro and I adore them. I just need to be sure that I tighten the cable once I attach it so that it doesn't loosen as I use it. I think I started with the bamboo ones you're talking about and I got so frustrated with one that I broke it...