a ball winder and/or swift? Do you like having them? I am contemplating getting one or both. I love having center-pull balls. But, I can't decide if the $70 is worth it.

I don't have one, but my LYS does....you can use it when you buy their yarn...I always wind my yarn there so I don't see a need for me getting one.

I would never get the ball winder but I like the swift (swift is the part where you put your skein, right?). I hope that dh will make me one like my grandmother has, old fashioned with pegs to change the skein size :) I think that a swift is definately worth owning.

I wouldn´t get a ball winder though. Personally I hate center pull balls and often I rewind them at home into old fashioned balls of yarn.. But then, I am weird too, I love using minuscule needles, my favorite are size 1 and 2 :) Maybe with thicker yarns I would learn to appreciate center pull balls..

--anu

I have both. The swift was free when I got my spinning wheel, and I really like it, but I usually still wind balls by hand rather than use the ball winder. We got a ball winder when dh got his sock machines, because you really need a center-pull ball with those. I usually only use the ball winder if I want to make a 2-ply yarn. I wind a center-pull ball so I can ply from both ends of the ball and not have any waste.
Be aware that if you get a ball-winder, it won't do you much good without a swift.

Our LYS is ACMoore or Michaels. They do not even carry a ball winder for sale, much less to use after buying yarn. I am getting yarn off the internet too. Some of what I get is center-pull skeins but not much as I am branching out. Hmmm.

I have the ball winder and really like it... makes winding center pulls fun :) A swift would be nice, but I don't knit enough to justify the expense right now.

yep, I think they are essential! Hand wound balls tend to stretch the yarn out (which will give you gauge issues later on when you knit it and it gets a chance to relax, the finished gauge on your project will change) It's just difficult winding by hand to keep perfectly even, not tight tension when you are winding. The winder does it easily though ;)

I have the ball winder and really like it... makes winding center pulls fun :) A swift would be nice, but I don't knit enough to justify the expense right now.

How do you use the winder without the swift? I have a couple of ideas but since I have never even seen a winder in use, I may be way off. Thanks.

I either put it over my knees (not the greatest method) or over the back of a chair.

I have seen a swift/ball winder for sale for under $40, so maybe it's worth that, eh? I certainly thought so. :)

I have a ball winder that is great for my knitting machines and when I have small amounts left of skiens. I love it.

I have never heard of a 'swift'. Does anyone have a link to one so I can see what it is? thanks

I have both and love them!!! I have this swift: www.theoregonwoodworker.net I used to have an umbrella swift, but I love this one sooo much more!

I like hand winding center pull balls. I use a crayola marker to do them. I find the rhythm of winding them therapeutic.