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Talk me out of...  

post #1 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
buying a swift and ball winder. Or talk me into it? DH suggested I get them last night listening to me gripe about the tangled hank on my lap. I don't think he knew that it would be at least an $80 purchase...So, anyway, should I spend the $ on the swift and winder or maybe on...oh, I don't know...some yarn?!?
post #2 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:28pm
That would depend on how diy you are. There are lots of ways to make your own. How much do you knit and how much yarn do you use and rewind? I've managed to come up with ways to not buy the winder and swift. I'd much rather buy more beautiful yarn!
post #3 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:30pm
I have both. I loved them when I first got them. My kids love them. I don't use the ball winder as much, except for Peace Fleece, or really big hanks. I use my swift all of the time, though. I roll all my other non-wool hanks on it...just in my hands adn into a ball. Love it.
post #4 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:31pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I just need a swift as I am happy enough with the balls I wind on my fingers. Also having looked at many ravelry posts about using a toilet paper tube etc, seems like the ball winder's not so necessary.
post #5 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayaking Mama View Post
Yeah, I'm thinking maybe I just need a swift as I am happy enough with the balls I wind on my fingers. Also having looked at many ravelry posts about using a toilet paper tube etc, seems like the ball winder's not so necessary.

Oh yeah, I use the tp tubes sometimes, too. But, ykw? I actually prefer the balls to center-pulls now that I have my Swift bag with the stuff sack. The balls *never* allow the yarn to tangle and hang-up on itself.
post #6 of 14
3/21/08 at 3:41pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom View Post
...I have my Swift bag with the stuff sack. The balls *never* allow the yarn to tangle and hang-up on itself.
Huh? Sounds interesting, but I have no idea what you're talking about!
post #7 of 14
3/21/08 at 6:23pm
Don't resist! Just buy them! I love love love mine!

Honestly, I use the ball winder a ton- even for balls that are in skeins already- if I only use part of the ball or it's slippery yarn or whatever.

I'd say go for it!
post #8 of 14
3/21/08 at 6:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dillonandmarasmom View Post
Oh yeah, I use the tp tubes sometimes, too. But, ykw? I actually prefer the balls to center-pulls now that I have my Swift bag with the stuff sack. The balls *never* allow the yarn to tangle and hang-up on itself.
I think she's saying that she now likes the old-fashioned "ball of yarn" that you pull the yarn from the outside. She's using a bag of some sort that keeps the yarn from bouncing all over!
post #9 of 14
3/21/08 at 10:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayaking Mama View Post
Huh? Sounds interesting, but I have no idea what you're talking about!
oH, SORRY...oops caps...it's the Tom Bihn "Swift" DH gave me. It has a drawstring sack that holds a bunch of yarn and has keyhole loop thingies to guide the strand out so it won't tangle or get lost. Pretty cool.
post #10 of 14
3/22/08 at 1:42am
I would say get the winder ( you can get the 40 or 50% off Joanns.com coupon.). And do a google search for how to build the swift yourself.

There is a tutorial that uses a couple of dowels and washers.

There's another one from Tinker Toys.
post #11 of 14
3/22/08 at 12:27pm
I second making your own swift, dh and I made mine and it was fun, easy and works great, also breaksdown to store easily.

http://www.craftydiversions.com/patt...yarn_swift.htm

try this link later, it is under maintence right now. good luck.

Jenn
post #12 of 14
3/22/08 at 2:44pm
Honestly after the mess of 550 yds I had yesterday I am seriously considering buying one too. A mess that takes 5 hours to get straight or spending $80? I think spending the $80 is a better option!
post #13 of 14
3/22/08 at 2:45pm
Thread Starter 
OK, I'm very intrigued by the idea of a swift made of Tinker Toys...I might just have to try that one!

dillonandmarasmom--I covet your Swift bag! I do have an awesome knitting bag already so really can't justify the purchase, but I think I'll steal the stuff sack idea!

liawbh, thanks for pointing me toward the joanns.com coupon!
post #14 of 14
3/22/08 at 6:26pm
Yea I am going to ask my Sdad to make me a swift! I don't know why I didn't think of it before. Thanks for the thread.
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