Community Chat

[Biftu]

My yarn shop has gorgeous yarns and they wind the shanks for you.  However, the cost of these yarns are really expensive.  I've found some lovely yarn on line, still expensive but less than my yarn shop.  I've had disasters winding yarn myself, especially the fingering yarn so I thought I would look into getting a ball winder since I will need to wind the yarn I buy on line myself.

Does anyone own one and if so how easy is it to use.  I've watched YouTube videos, but I'm not sure.

[docsgirl]

I'm an avid sock knitter and love the imported hand-dyed fingering weight yarns.  I have both the yarn swift and the ball winder.  I would never be without them.  They are very easy to use and I have a ball of yarn within minutes.

First you need to separate the skank in 1/2 and put it over the swift.  Raise the swift with the yarn as if you were raising an umbrella.  Don't make it too tight or too loose.  You'll feel when it's just right.  Be sure to cut the little threads that hold the yarn together.  Some manufacturers use a different color yarn for that little thread while others do not so be very, very careful. Do NOT cut into the skein.  Take the end that is on the outside and thread it through the winder and start winding.  Do not go too fast or you can risk tangling or tearing the yarn.  Before you know it, you have a lovely ball of yarn.  I hope this is helpful.  Happy winding and knitting.  Any questions, feel free to ask.

[Biftu]

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@docsgirl wrote:

I'm an avid sock knitter and love the imported hand-dyed fingering weight yarns.  I have both the yarn swift and the ball winder.  I would never be without them.  They are very easy to use and I have a ball of yarn within minutes.

First you need to separate the skank in 1/2 and put it over the swift.  Raise the swift with the yarn as if you were raising an umbrella.  Don't make it too tight or too loose.  You'll feel when it's just right.  Be sure to cut the little threads that hold the yarn together.  Some manufacturers use a different color yarn for that little thread while others do not so be very, very careful. Do NOT cut into the skein.  Take the end that is on the outside and thread it through the winder and start winding.  Do not go too fast or you can risk tangling or tearing the yarn.  Before you know it, you have a lovely ball of yarn.  I hope this is helpful.  Happy winding and knitting.  Any questions, feel free to ask.

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@docsgirl  Thank you!  Winding the skeins on my knees or on the back of a chair has resulted in some pretty tangled disasters taking hours to finally get it in a ball. The skeins I have now are very thin silk yarn and 385 yards each. I don't even want to attempt it.

I'm going to get one and give it try.  I appreciate your thorough response.  Happy knitting to you too.

[docsgirl]

Take a look at 'yarn swifts' on Amazon even if you don't choose to purchase from them.  They have several and will show you how to operate them.  I'm addicted to knitting socks.  My son has more socks than he knows what to do with.  I also knit various size socks to donate.  I used to try winding the yarn over the back of a chair but it was nothing but a disaster.  This way is so much easier and it's fun watching the ball take shape.  Have fun!

[jackthebear]

i have both, but a swift is more useful than ball winder if the budget is an issue, as ou can wind a ball our self

[Neetgal2]

In the 70's, we would have many girl or family nights of getting together and rolling yard, we even got the men into it.  Now that I am in my 70's, both of my knitting groups have these, at our meetings and many own their own.  They work great.🧶

[Desertdi]

Looks like some kind of lightning rod...

[ALRATIBA]

I have a swift but usually just prop my feet up on the hassock and drape the skein over my knees and wind the balls of yarn by hand if it's only a skein or two.

[Cakers3]

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@ALRATIBA wrote:

I have a swift but usually just prop my feet up on the hassock and drape the skein over my knees and wind the balls of yarn by hand if it's only a skein or two.

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@ALRATIBA  I actually just thought of you when I saw the title of this thread.

I like reading about all your projects on the other thread and almost posted a shout-out to you about this topic.🧶