Can anyone make any recommendations for a yarn winder and swift? I think this is what my husband is interested in getting me this year! He’s talked about it at least!
Does anyone have them? Do you use them much, are they useful? Ever had any problems? Do you have a brand recommendation?
Cheers in advance!
I have the ball winder from Knit Picks. http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Knitting_Yarn_Ball_Winder__D80583.html?gclid=CMTGo7ncgLsCFSRk7Aodp3EAJw I love it, it entertains my GKs and they wind yarn for me. It fascinates people to see it winding as it does. The only problem I’ve had is that the handle pops loose and I have to put my thumb on the base that the crank is attached to. It’s not a problem for me or for my GKs with smaller hands. I wouldn’t pay a lot more for a handle that likes to stay on. I’ve not used the table attachment. It makes frogging easier; I weigh the yarn and then wind off however many grams I want to divide evenly. I’d never want to be without one again.
I’ve seen that little ball winder and wonder what’s different when compared to their $45.99 one. Perhaps a bit lighter weight? Who knows! I’m confused!
I can see I can get a winder/swift for these prices:
WEBS: $104.99 combo price
Knitting Warehouse: $99.98 individual items
Knit Picks either $84.98 individual items for the ball winder GG has or $110.98 with the $45.99 ball winder
The other two suppliers have ball winders closer to the $45.99 price.
I don’t know what the difference with the more expensive models is. I got the cheaper one because I didn’t really know whether I wanted one. I use it a lot. When it wears out or gets broken I might get a more expensive one. The gears inside of the more expensive ones might be higher quality? Knit Picks should be able to answer your question. You could try emailing or calling them.
I had asked about this ball winder before I got it and I think at least one other person here said they had it and it was just fine. Maybe it depends on how much you use it. If you use it daily to wind a lot of balls then it might not hold up. If you get it and don’t like it Knit Picks IME is really good about their guarantee of satisfaction.
What’s the difference between a winder and a swift?
I have a ball winder like GGs only I think it’s a Boye. Works like a charm. I have this swift from KnitPicks and love it beyond measure for winding hanks into a ball. http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Knitting_Yarn_Swift__D80083.html
Here’s hoping that your DH invests in your knitting for Christmas! 
A winder balls up yarn into center pull cakes that you can knit with , and a swift hold hanks of yarn for winding.
http://www.paradisefibers.com/wooden-yarn-swift-large-size-umbrella-style-from-sweden.html I have this one and it will outlive me. :teehee:
My winder is similar to the cheaper KnitPicks one, and I’ve never had a problem with it.
Another must have. :drool:
What I didn’t add was that husband gets bent out of shape when I use the swift - he was his moms yarn holder when he was a kid, and he says the swift doesn’t do as good of a job releasing the yarn as he does! The man is incorrigible…:roflhard:
An incorrigible keeper!
After reading the other posts, I feel a little embarrassed to admit I spent as much as I did. That being said, I love my ball winder and have had no problems with it whatsoever:
My swift was given to me over twenty years ago, I don’t even remember who gave it to me. It seems rickety but works well. One thing that I used it for last winter was when I frogged a wool sweater - the yarn was so curly and winding it into hanks made it easy to wash to straighten the yarn out.
Thanks for all the advice! Seems like the KP $20 winder will be good enough for what I need as it won’t be in constant use! My husband, being a wood worker, favours a wooden swift, but I’ve read reviews about delicate yarns getting tangled or damaged if the wood isn’t totally smooth. I don’t particularly care for a plastic one, preferring natural materials too, but do you think this should be a concern?
And Claire, I think if you like your ball winder, use it and it works well then you haven’t wasted your money at all.
Of course it’s a concern, yarn is way too precious to mangle in any way. 
I can’t speak to others experience with their swifts, but mine arrived 100% smooth as a baby’s bottom and has mercifully stayed that way over the almost 3 years that I’ve had it and used it. The only issue I have with mine is that my DH feels he’s a better swift than my swift. :teehee:
That your DH is a woodworker bodes well for any maintenance that may be required on a wooden swift. As with all things, that you’re taking a “measure twice, cut once” approach bodes well for whatever swift you get. 
Maybe woodworker hubby will take a look and decide he can make them better. That would be cool, having handmade specialty pieces. He could never, ever sell something like that and make a profit so yours would be unique!
I’ve had my swift for several years now. It was a bday present from DH.
I got the wood one as the gal at the LYS said if one of the plastic slats breaks it’s all done. If something goes wrong with a slat on the wooden one it can be replaced.
I really like mine and like not having to wind yarn at the store that I may not use for awhile.
Maybe this is of interest, maybe not. I don’t know if it a real deal or not. I got an email with the link
Luckily it’s their first splash ad on the KP home page. What a great price! I’d ask Santa for one if I didn’t have one. :happydance:
I thought about asking Santa but I think Santa already blew the budget. :waah:
I purchased one of those very swift KnitPicks swifts in August 2011. It works very well, esp. with my fabulous Strauch yarn ball winder…which cost approx. $25 less “way back” in August 2011!