Unique magnetite-nanoparticles-attached necklace-like Cu@cross-linked poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) microcables with multi-functionalities can be synthesized by in situ loading the magnetite nanoparticles in the network structure of a cross-linked PVA sheath using a modified polyol method; the superparamagnetic and green fluorescent properties of the cables enable this type of magnetic functionalized microcables to be manipulated and detected easily for device fabrication.