I got a ball winder, finally.

[China_cat]

Broke down and spent the money. And don't have a clue as to why I didn't do this sooner.

Working with my Tinkertoy swift I balled 9 hanks of yarn in less than an hour and now have room in my stash drawers for a lot more yarn. :dilemma:

[eleny]

1. I'm confused

Did you buy a Tinkertoy swift? I saw some instructions to make one but didn't know you could purchase them already made.

Sorry for being so goofy!

It sounds like you had a lovely hour winding up your yarn. I have nice memories of my grandmother helping me with that by hand. Good times.

[China_cat]

2. No, I bought Tinkertoys.

Costco had the really big set before christmas for a really good price. When I'm not using the swift, sometimes I play around with building other stuff.

While umbrella swifts are really nice (and pricey) I don't really have the room for one or a place to store it. The Tinkertoys come apart, have their own container and fit into a corner of the closet. If I really had to make more space, I could keep out the pieces for the swift in a yarn drawer and stick the rest in the attic.

Best of all worlds.

[eleny]

3. Thanks - Sounds like it goes together easy

[China_cat]

4. Goes together easily, can be sized for differing hanks

it was just such a great find when I came across those instructions. Paired with a ball winder, I'll never again hesitate to buy hanks instead of pre-wound balls.

[WolverineDG]

5. I dare you to post this in the Lounge

I double-dog dare you.

:popcorn:

dg

[China_cat]

6. Done.

[Left Brain]

7. omg CC

post the link to the lounge thread, cuz I could have a heyday with this one! ;)

On the serious side, how do you like the thing? Is there a limit to how many ounces you can -er- ball, and/or how big a ball you can make with it? Is this the kind of winder that you can clamp to a table? I'd love to read a review, if you have some time to write it.

[China_cat]

8. ok

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=7360432&mesg_id=7360432

This ball winder can clamp to a table but I don't have one that it fits so I've hand held it. Works just as good. I've done about 100 grams of lace weight yarn but anything heavier would probably be limited to 50 grams (you can get ball winders for larger amounts but they run into some rather serious money). The balls are flat on top and bottom and center pull. Quite nice.

I wouldn't rewind balled yarn but for hanks, it's just perfect. $40.00 might seem like a lot to put out but I sure wish I'd done this sooner. It would have saved my time, my hands and my sanity.

[Left Brain]

9. I love that it center-pulls.

I've been looking at them for a long time in craft mags, but I wasn't sure.
Now I am.
Thanks!