Ball Winder
A ball winder rolls yarn from a hank or loose skein into a loose, center-pull ball that is easier to knit from without the yarn tangling.
Explanation
A ball winder is a mechanical tool that winds yarn, often from a hank held by a yarn swift, into a loose, cylindrical ball with a hole through the center. Because the yarn pulls from the center of the ball rather than the outside, the ball spins in place on the table as you knit, instead of rolling away or tangling the way loose hanks easily do. Ball winders are often used together with a yarn swift to make the process of winding freshly purchased yarn faster and more efficient than winding by hand.
Also known as: Yarn winder
From hank to cake
A ball winder turns yarn into a flat center-pull cake that does not roll across the floor while you knit. Many yarns are sold in hanks and cannot be knitted straight from them — try, and you end up with a tangle.
The winder clamps to a table edge and is cranked by hand. One cake takes under a minute once the yarn feeds smoothly.
Paired with a swift
The winder is far easier to use alongside a swift, which holds the hank open and lets it rotate. The alternative is looping the hank over two chair backs or asking someone to hold it — workable, but slower.
Common mistakes
- Winding straight from an unopened hank, which tangles it.
- Winding tightly enough to stretch the yarn.
Keywords
- ball winder
- yarn winder
- center-pull ball
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a winder and a swift?
Not necessarily. The winder is what makes the cake; the swift just makes feeding easier. Most knitters buy the winder first.
Can the shop wind yarn for me?
Most yarn shops will wind hanks free or for a small charge when you buy the yarn there.