No stores around here sell these things, and I remember my folks winding things by hand, with the skein between two chair backs, or somebody holding their arms wide with a skein.
But my hubby isn’t keen on that, wants me to look for a swift and ball winder online. I tried awhile, not so easy in Canada. Some out west, but I’m in Ontario - more eastern central than west.
Any ideas?
I do mine the old fashioned way and wind it myself. Doesn’t usually take me too long. I just do it 1 skein/hank at a time, as I need a new ball of yarn. Putting the yarn around a chair works, although I have to admit that I do it by sitting on the couch in a crossed leg position and I put the yarn around my legs 
I find it much more comfortable to do it that way.
If you have a Joann’s near you in the Toronto area look there; they carry them in the US so may have them up there. And you can buy them with the 40% off coupons too.
I do it by hand too - I spread the hank open and lay it over the arm of the couch then wind it up. You can use a lampshade too, it would have to be the same size around as your hank though.
Sometimes my DH holds it, but I usually just use my legs, to. I sit with my knees bent slightly and lay the yarn around them.
I remember when I was a kid and my mom would have us put the hank of yarn (if not a hank, she’d have us wind the ball around so it was like the hank) over the tops of the dining room chairs. Then, she’d start winding a ball from there, starting it around a few fingers, then winding around that starter.
Ah, thanks everyone. I will try using my now-stronger yoga knees! Hadn’t thought of that. Sounds like fun and comfy too.
I haven’t ever visited a Joann’s, but will look around for one. I’m 3 hours drive from Toronto, but it’s do-able. I have a daughter living there, but she’s in Uganda on a business trip at the moment.
I’m lucky. My husband used to hold the yarn for his mother and now thinks nothing of doing the same for me. It’s kind of nice. We get to talk and joke around during the process with him reminiscing about his Mom and her life ‘back then’.
It got done in no time at all and was very satisfying for both of us.
TEMA:knitting:
Husbands are often great for that stuff. Mine doesn’t mind either. Even better is when I have a big pile of yarn barf and he’ll take it and untangle it for me then stretch it out so I can wind it. 
I guess over the years I’ve held enough ladders, brought him tools, held up Christmas lights, etc… that he doesn’t mind. :lol:
Yup, guys tend to do little things for their women… especially when they don’t have much of a clue what’s going on in the main part of your craft but are amazed by what comes out! It’s probably more like: ooh, another item started- yay! or at least starts out that way… lol. Yeah, people like me with so many projects can tend to disillusion people, maybe? It’s also a great time to hang together and just talk about anything.