Reddit reviews Stanwood Needlecraft YBW-A Hand-Operated Yarn Ball Winder, 4-Ounce

Recumbent Bike + Ball winder = $185.39, leaving just shy of $15. Pretty much anything else would make me happy, but I really need these two things <3

As to your second question - I have a Stanwood Needlecraft winder I am quite happy with. [(Amazon link.)] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B44PYI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) I originally bought one from Knit Picks, which I returned because the gears kept catching, and then bought this one from Amazon due to its high number of positive reviews. I've had no issues with it in the just over two years I've had it.

ETA: It does look like it might be slightly cheaper to buy it [directly from Stanwood] (http://www.stanwoodimports.com/stanwood-needlecraft-compact-yarn-ball-winder-hand-operated-ybw-a/) right now, even with shipping vs Prime. (We're talking a matter of a couple bucks, though - when it calculated shipping for me, it was $3 less than Amazon.)

I do this too! I was doing a virus blanket and didn't like the idea of rounds with the color change in the middle. Now I've done it for a few other projects as well (striped scarf, granny squares). But I have a yarn winder, otherwise I probably couldn't because hand winding balls of yarn kills my wrists, then I can't crochet that day.

I got this one. I've only done it with the original cakes and it makes cute mini cakes. I dunno if you or anyone else is interested, but I can tell more about it if anyone wants! It really saves me time and pain.

And in case anyone wants to see, here's what I've managed so far.

Some were balls that I unwound on to the swift and then rewound, some were loose, center-pull cakes, some were center-pull skeins, some were normal skeins. In every case...I am happy.

And also for those interested, both the swift and the winder are Stanwoods.

Amish swift and ball winder here. Put 'em on your Christmas/birthday/appropriate-gift-recieveing-holiday list!

Generally you put the hank (the term for that pre-wound form of yarn) on a swift (umbrella swifts seem to be the more common ones, but I prefer http://www.amazon.com/ChiaoGoo-Amish-Design-Wooden-Swift/dp/B0033F0A40/ref=pd_sim_201_4). When you put it on a swift, you'll see a couple bits of yarn tied around it to keep it from unraveling, so you clip off those bits of yarn. Then you take an end and pull on it, and it will make the hank spin on the swift and unravel it without tangling to bits. You can either unravel it by hand into a ball, or around a tube, or get a ball winder (http://www.amazon.com/Stanwood-Needlecraft-YBW-A-Hand-Operated-4-Ounce/dp/B004B44PYI/ref=pd_sim_201_1) to wind it up.

I have both, but mostly because I dye a lot of yarn. I love them and use them fairly frequently, but I was fine with just a swift until about a year ago, and even then I wouldn't bother getting it out half the time and just wind yarn off of my knees or my husband's hands if I could get him to sit still long enough. They are a nice luxury, but not necessary unless you are dealing with bulk winding. I have a generic wooden swift from my LYS and this winder. One warning though, a lot of the tables in my house are too thick for the clamps to stay secure which is really annoying, so make sure you have somewhere to attach them.

I wouldn't get a winder without a swift. You won't be able to wind evenly without a swift.

I bought This One

Stanwood is recommended here. I just wish I had bought the actual one that is recommended here the Large Stanwood

For $20 more, it's definitely worth it.

I don't know the best place, as I'm pretty new to crochet.

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But I bought mine on amazon and it's pretty good. It's kind of basic but pretty durable so far. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B44PYI

I have this one and it's served me well.

I've wound lace weight all the way to two strands of bulky (loops and threads charisma) held double and haven't had any issues.

Stanwood Needlecraft YBW-A Hand-Operated Yarn Ball Winder, 4-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B44PYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dwTUAb0T5FZ34

Here's the amazon link! So far I love this winder, would recommend to everyone!

This one off of Amazon. There is a larger one from this brand with even better reviews too.

Stanwood Needlecraft YBW-A Hand-Operated Yarn Ball Winder, 4-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B44PYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gOWVDb3YT8VXK

I got the Stanwood Needlecraft 4-oz.
It's currently $37.95 with prime and a 6% additional discount with coupon... I remember it was less expensive 😕 maybe that's why I waited so long to get one? Worth it though.

Stanwood Needlecraft YBW-A Hand-Operated Yarn Ball Winder, 4-Ounce https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B44PYI/

He is definitely full of claws. I think it might just be a I’m relaxed and not going to attack thing?I got this one. better review than the cheapest one.

I like mine, it seems a lot sturdier than the ones that don't have the clamp on the bottom with a wingnut. Haven't seen the KP one irl, though.

I just bought [this] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004B44PYI) and it's amazing!! I love it!! It's only a 4 oz one but there is a 10 oz one. I gave a review on this ball winder. I watched this video on how to do it correctly. He uses a Royal brand ball winder but that's 60 bucks and the above is 30 which may be a little more expensive than you want but worth it it the end. You should be able to go pretty fast once you read the directions. The smaller yarn winders aren't meant for whole skeins, just the one's that are leftover once you do projects. Love it.

I use this one as the knit picks one had too many reviews of it breaking for me to feel comfortable with it. Spent an extra twenty dollars for one that hasn't broken and has wound my yarn for a couple years now.

I use an umbrella Swift (from knit picks), which works nicely, but ask the other comment mentioned you need a place to clamp it down. I mostly got that one because it was on sale when I was looking, but I think most of them probably work equally well. I like my umbrella Swift because I live in an apartment, so space is at a premium. This is the ball winder I have. Amazon tells me I've had it since 2005 and use it quite a bit and it's held up fine.

There's more expensive models of ball winders that are good if you're winding a lot of volume (either # skeins of yarn or particularly large ones), but for normal use I haven't had problems with mine.

I definitely suggest going with this one versus the cheaper version. I've had issues with the cheaper one, but it still works OK, just not as nicely as I'd like.