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rhys
Chatty Knitter
138 Posts |
 Posted - 07/05/2005 : 07:25:01 AM
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| Sorta on topic.......instead of using a ziplock bag, I use an empty kleenex box for my yard. I like the flat bottom and the plastic where the kleenex/yarn emerges puts a bit of tension on the yarn. I keep a square box around and the more traditional rectangle box. |
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twiggyann
Gabber Extraordinaire
427 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2005 : 08:45:57 AM
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I have used the thumb method up to now, but honestly I get bored very quickly and I hate doing it that way. So last night I went out to joann.com and they have a promo code right on the website (without having to sign up for email) for 40% off any one item. I should have my yarn ball winder by this time next week.
Lesley |
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westcoastchica
Seriously Hooked
Canada
788 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2005 : 10:59:54 AM
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rhys, I love that Kleenex box idea. I'll have to keep that in mind!!! I do use a lot of ziplock baggies, especially for slippery yarns like Microspun that just don't want to stay in ball form!
I'm definitely a center-pull kind of girl, but near the end, I always seem to get some tangles... oh well... not a big deal!
http://sapphyreknits.blogspot.com/ |
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witchyknits
Chatty Knitter
USA
297 Posts |
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Jane
SustaYning Member
USA
4290 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 02:56:13 AM
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Both! I think that if knitting is something you plan to be doing for a long time to come it's worth the initial investment. If I were just starting out I'd gladly give up a few impulse yarn purchases in order to have a swift and winder. To me, they're as important as my needles!
Jane
"Only passions, great passions, can elevate the soul to great things." Denis Diderot
Blog-like thing: http://notplainjane.blogspot.com/
Photos: http://mysite.verizon.net/vzenu0u9/
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twiggyann
Gabber Extraordinaire
427 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 06:30:46 AM
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What exactly is a swift? I've seen that term quite a bit on the knitting forums but it's not something I'm familiar with.
Lesley |
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knitknat1021
Warming Up
USA
72 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 10:46:43 AM
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I normally use a outside pull ball and I use a cheap shoebox size plastic container and punch a hole in it and thread the yarn through and when I want to store the project I just open the lid and insert my project. The yarn is held from pulling out when you close the lid on the project.
Katie C.
http://katiesknitknat.blogspot.com |
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Atavistic
Permanent Resident
6604 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 10:52:20 AM
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A swift is pointless if you have a man (or woman) who likes to lounge on the couch and chat while you use his hands as your swift.
I don't use a thumb method, I just wind a center-pull loosely (holding the whole ball with my thumb and all four finers) and wind away. I end up with more of a cube than a ball, which is fantastic because it doesn't bounce around.
Two dogs and a cat. Bouncing yarn is a very bad thing...
Amanda
A good friend: You knit faster than most women shop. |
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knittinggal
Chatty Knitter
USA
296 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 12:43:06 PM
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I noticed Joann's had a swift and a winder online. I almost ordered but stopped. I'm moving in a few months and I may as well wait until AFTER I move. Two less things to pack then!! But I too love the look of a newly wound ball of yarn. It's so nice and neat and tidy!! and SQUEEZABLE!  |
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WendyB
Permanent Resident
3262 Posts |
Posted - 07/06/2005 : 2:14:58 PM
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| I wind my yarns with a ball winder. I found something at a hardware store that I like to hold small balls of loose yarn. It's a clear plastic cylinder with rubber ends. One end has small holes with a slit across, like those oval rubber change purses that you squeeze to open. I have a smaller one for stitch holders and miscellaneous doo-dads. |
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Stacey14
Permanent Resident
1120 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 05:06:31 AM
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Lucky for me, my sister LOVES winding yarn! So, she makes all my yarn into these neat center pull discs - they are not ball shaped, but more flat and almost oval - they even stack! So, it's great for storing the yarn before I use it and they look really neat! (she winds it on a toilet paper tube)
My Blog:On And Off the Needles
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evolved_yarn
New Pal
Canada
4 Posts |
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knitting sock monkey
Chatty Knitter
218 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 07:50:24 AM
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I was given a ball winder and swift for xmas last year and it could be the best knitting gift I've ever received. The swift was made for me by a friend, it's a simple design but works perfectly. I can wind a ball of wool in less than a minute! It was great when I started working on a bulky wool afghan and had three balls of wool worked together at a time. If I had wound them by hand I would have had a huge tangled mess (I just can't figure out how to do a center pull by hand). Next time I have a skein to wind I'll post a picture of the aparatus on my blog. Hmmmm, perhaps that should be motivation to get going on a new project!
Felicity
http://felicitydesigns.blogspot.com/ |
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Kyrstellaine
New Pal
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 08:40:26 AM
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| I prefer my ball winder, but when I've got just a little yarn, I use my thumb to make a center-pull ball the way my grandma taught me. Sounds like about the same method that Fran is describing. |
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Stitching Fool
Chatty Knitter
196 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 08:45:41 AM
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Ok guys,
the pill box, tp roll, and thumb all sound great, but where do you put that DARN hank of yarn while you are winding. I looked into getting a winder, but you also need the swift, no?? I usually just put the yarn hank around my neck and feed off from that, but you still can get tangling--so frustrating! Usually I stick to buying yarn from stores that will wind for you, but that eliminates online orders.
help!
Marie |
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Momma78239
Permanent Resident
USA
4859 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 10:41:44 AM
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I learned to do center-pull balls with my thumb and fingers, as Fran does, but now I prefer to use a nostepinne. (pronounced naws-tuh-pin-uh) It's like a little wooden "thumb" that I can turn more easily, so that the winding goes faster. I don't like ball winders at all. I like to take my time and enjoy "feeling up" my yarn as I wind it. If the nostepinne isn't handy or you don't have one, you can also use a large diameter knitting needle.
-Wendy
Did you know God was a knitter?
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v632/Momma78239/StripyFixationribbedsocks.jpg[/IMG]
Oh, no, I'm blogging now! Click to see it! |
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aefost
Chatty Knitter
126 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 12:56:25 PM
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I've been meaning to try this but am a bit afraid to. DIY mixer yarn winder
Plus, I only have a handheld mixer, not a freestanding one, so that adds to the difficulty. You can also use a loose lamp shade as a swift, but mine are too dusty to put my yarn on, so I haven't done that either!
Another DIY winder link |
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AmyB
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 1:53:27 PM
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I haven't seen the method I use mentioned yet. It's detailed in "Stitch and beach" and it's basically winding it around your thumb and a couple of fingers, after an initial figure-8 around a thumb and forefinger.
Amy
Amy |
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jpatriciameyer@kpmg.com
Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 3:09:00 PM
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I wind a turn or two of yarn around the palm of my hand and then wind the ball around two fingers. This way, the yarn on my palm makes it a center pull ball.
For yarn that does not like to stay in balls, I put the ball in an old knee high that has lost the stretch of the cuff. The knee high will hold almost any size ball and this way the yarn is still very portable, I knit on the train while commuting. |
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Stitching Fool
Chatty Knitter
196 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2005 : 5:15:20 PM
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the knee-high idea is genius! but, people, the hanks, the hanks, what to do with the dreadful hanks??
Marie |
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