Do you remember the yarn winder which was jinxed by my nemesis yarn? Well it was replaced a little while ago, but in the interim I neglected to mention here that I'd repurposed a toilet roll inner to transform some skeins into centre-pull balls. It worked well enough, but was not exactly an ideal (or longterm) solution. After hearing about my escapades with the toilet roll, a friend kindly pointed me in the direction of some nostepinnes on Folksy. I had never seen or heard of them before and headed to YouTube to see one in action - this vidoe shows how the simple wooden tool is used to wind yarn into a neat ball....
Of course once I saw them, had to try one. Mine came from Stewart at Tree Gems (excellent service and fast delivery) for a little over £10 and I love it. There's something very satisfying about winding the yarn by hand before using it, and so the nosty is still used for mini-skeins and chunky yarn, or if there is no particular hurry to cast on, even though I have a new mechanical winder. What do you use?
I use either toilet roll tube or my thumb but I pinned a new Pintrest pin yesterday on using a knitting needle or crochet hook. I need to rewind balls all the time for socks so I can draw from the outside and centre and tips are VERY welcome.
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I keep meaning to get myself a winder of some description, but I actually kinda like the meditative rhythm of draping the yarn over my knees and winding by hand ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a swift and ball winder. I like the idea of a nostepinne though, for some mini skeins or very chunky (low yardage) yarn.
ReplyDeletei've never had the chance to try any fancy equipment, but like pinkundine i'm very happy using just a knee/bent leg and my thumb :) nostepinne looks very useful, i'll have to ask my mother if maybe she has some old ones lying around somewhere...
ReplyDeleteMy gosh what a handy tool! I used my hand, having learned from a Youtube video.
ReplyDeleteI have a swift and a nostpinne. Mechanical ball winders are out of my prince range and seem to be unnecessary when the job can be done by hand. I love winding by hand as it gives me an idea of what the yarn will feel like being worked up.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sarah, for talking about my nostepinne. I'm so pleased that you've enjoyed using it. Your mentioning it also resulted in another sale!
ReplyDeleteI noticed your Stephen West shawl; my wife (Rav Cottonon) just finished one of his shawl patterns.