Cable-Knit Nails Have Arrived Just in Time for Sweater Weather

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we all have a legit excuse to do something out-of-the-ordinary with our nails—like splurge on a festive gel manicure. In times past, we probably would have gone gold, or maybe dark red, but there’s only one manicure goal on our minds this year: finally trying on textured cable-knit nails, a cozy little trend that’s been kicking around our Insta feeds just in time for sweater weather.

The raised texture makes this somewhat intense to DIY, but if you bring photos to any good nail salon in your area, they can achieve the look. “Cable nails are mostly done in a 3-D gel polish. They can be done in regular polish; you just have to build the layers up more until you can see the raised knit pattern,” explains celebrity nail designer Alexaundra McCormick. If you happen to be savvy with at-home gel manis, you could make a fun holiday project out of this, alongside a cup of hot cocoa for company. “You don’t have to rush the technique, you can mold the 3-D gel into the shape you want then pop it in your LED or U.V. gel lamp to cure. It will dry in a raised, textured state,” McCormick says. (She recommends N.O.Q. 3D Tube Gel.)

Here’s a handful of our favorite cable-knit nail ideas from Instagram. Which style would you most like to cuddle up with this holiday season?

Soft gray sweater nails by McCormick herself:

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Classic white cables:

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An alternating pattern with tiny studs:

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One knit accent nail:

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If you’re not into the 3-D look—and/or want to DIY—there’s this detailed but still less involved herringbone pattern with a glittery accent nail:

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