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pinkmarbles1@aol.com
New Pal
3 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2008 : 07:58:50 AM
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Hi, I have been knitting off and on for almost 40 years. I have never wound my yarn into balls. I have just used it from the skein. I don't want to sound stupid after all these years of knitting, but what is the purpose of winding the yarn on a yarn winder? Thanks for any answers you may give me. Martha
Martha Ballard |
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amazingwoman
New Pal
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 09:10:27 AM
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| I can't speak to a yarn winder, but I just got my swift on Monday. Much of the yarn that I buy comes in hank, and most of *that* is lace weight and fingering weight. I've tangled on hank too many winding it off of my legs or the back of a chair, so I finally broke down and picked up a swift. |
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JayhawkKnitter
Seriously Hooked
USA
910 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 09:13:01 AM
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Well, if you're knitting from a center pull skein, then the yarn obviously won't tangle.
But if the yarn's original purchased state is in a hank - if you can keep it from tangling you're one up on me. I can't - and I haven't broken down yet and bought either a swift or winder. So it's hand-wound balls from hanks for me.
**********
Check out my blog!
http://www.knittinhoney.blog-city.com |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 09:30:36 AM
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I don't buy a lot of hanks, but it sure is useful if I do. Of course it would be more convenient if I had a swift to go with it, much less tangly! I mostly use my ball winder to rewind my half used, floppy skeins into nice little balls for the leftovers drawer. I also use it, along with a digital kitchen scale, to split my sock skeins into two even balls
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeeks76/
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maribelaprn
Permanent Resident
USA
2033 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 2:17:41 PM
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You're question has many answers cause you might be using terms interchangeably. There are ball winders and yarn swifts (I've not seen anything that combines the two into a yarn winder). If you're talking about yarn that comes in a skein that is already to be knitted, then you don't really have to re-wind it. If you're talking about yarn that comes in hanks and not already "wound", I'd imagine it's hard to knit from that.
Either way, I wind every type of yarn I buy, even if it already comes in a skein or a ball. I can find any knots or other "landmines" before I get to them when I'm knitting. Most of the yarn I buy is in hanks and must be wound into a ball before it can be used. I've encountered some very high end yarns that have issues that would have been a mess to deal with in the middle of the row of a lace shawl with 600 stitches! Winding by hand is perfectly fine. I use my swift and ball winder because it's easier. |
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pinkmarbles1@aol.com
New Pal
3 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 2:40:14 PM
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Thank you all so much for your replies. I feel much more educated on the subject now. I appreciate your answers.
Martha
Martha Ballard |
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esatch@msn.com
Warming Up
83 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 6:32:57 PM
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Hi!
This is interesting to me because I'm thinking of buying some delicious looking yarn that comes in cones. How do you wind that? Thanks in advance for any help! - Ellen |
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MindyO
Permanent Resident
USA
2493 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2008 : 7:09:42 PM
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You can knit right off the cone actually! I mean you could certainly wind it into smaller more managable balls for your project, but I just use the cone. I did a few doilies off a cone awhile back.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squeeks76/
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Mary B
New Pal
10 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2008 : 2:26:19 PM
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| For those of you who would rather spend your hard earned money on yarn rather than a winder and a yarn swift, try using a nostepinne. That is, if you can find one. It also takes up much les space. A knitting friend introduced me to the use of one a year or two ago, and I finally found one of my own, but locally. If interested, there are several sources online - normally about $15 -$25. I find mine especially useful when I get to the end of a skein when the yarn starts tangling. I just use my nostepinne to wind the remaining yarn into a smaller ball. Mary B |
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knittingbaglady
Permanent Resident
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 05:45:48 AM
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I use a nostepinne too. My son made it, he was selling them on my site and selling out as many as he could make. They're wonderful tools, and compact! I even wrap up to 400 yards on mine....
Martha.
http://www.greenmountainknittingbags.com/ |
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Eleanor
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 06:09:26 AM
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| Where are they on your site Martha? |
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Mocha
Permanent Resident
Singapore
2903 Posts |
Posted - 04/29/2008 : 07:20:08 AM
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I tried doing this using those smooth massage stick for foot reflexology that I bought from Chinatown but the diameter is too small. So I'll be trying uisng small water bottle. They may work till I get my winder.
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WINDING YARN
