The Best Hand Operated Yarn Winders
Hello,
I have some serious info to share with you today! I bought myself a yarn winder and it has been a game changer in balling and organizing my yarn stash. After you read this post I know you’ll want to order one for yourself.
Why I Bought A Yarn Winder
A few weeks ago, my mom brought over her yarn winder so I could try it out. Honestly, I had no interest in buying a yarn winder of my own, that is until I tried it and made my first yarn cake. During my mom’s visit, I probably wound 10 skeins of yarn. I had to have one of my own!
I opened my laptop and started researching all the ball winders on the market. There are so many options. They come in all shapes and sizes, are made of different materials and cost anywhere from $20 to $400. In this post, I’ll go over everything I learned. If you are considering purchasing a yarn winder, you’ll find what you need to know in this post!
Take a look at the best hand-operated yarn winders listed below. Learn the benefits of using a yarn winder, what to look for when purchasing one and how to use it.
*This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.
The Benefits of Using a Yarn Winder
Do you have to own a yarn winder to crochet? No, you do not. Will you want one? Absolutely!!! I have been crocheting for many years without one, and I got along just fine balling yarn by hand. Now that I own one, I’ll never ball another skein of yarn by hand again, here is why…
First, is the time it saves you, I wound 10 skeins of yarn in the time it took to get one done by hand. Also, I had fun doing it! I’m almost embarrassed by how much fun I had whipping these little yarn cakes out one after another. When you wind by hand you make balls of yarn, with a winder you make yarn cakes. What’s the difference?
The Difference Between Yarn Balls and Yarn Cakes
Yarn Ball
When you wind yarn by hand you end up with a round ball of yarn. When working with a hand wound ball you work from the outside of the ball in. While crocheting the ball rolls around and you need to put it in a yarn bowl or find another way to keep it stable while crocheting. I know you have all had to deal with run away yarn balls … UGH!
Yarn Cakes
With a winder you make yarn cakes, Cakes have two flat sides that keep them from wobbling around when you are crocheting. The flat sides on a cake also allow you to stack your yarn neatly. Cakes work from the center of the cake out, so you don’t have to worry about a tangled mess.
Do You Need a Yarn Swift?
What is a Yarn Swift?
A swift is a tool used to hold a hank of yarn while it is being wound. It has an adjustable diameter so that it can hold hanks of many sizes and rotates around a central rod.
Yarn Hank
Why You Should Ball Your Yarn
There are many benefits from balling yarn no matter if you use a winder or do it by hand. While winding you can spot any imperfections or knots and cut them out. There is nothing worse than crocheting from a skein and in the middle of a project run across a nasty knot or pulling out a tangled mess from the center of a yarn skein.
Tension, when you ball your yarn before crocheting it improves the tension. Skeins bought in a store are wound loosely. It’s easier to get the correct tension when your ball is wrapped into a tighter ball.
If you do choose to treat yourself and purchase one, here are some things to look for…
What To Look For In A Yarn Winder
Sturdy Construction
You’ll want a winder that is made from quality materials. Metal cranks last longer than plastics. Also, check out the clamp, you don’t want a winder that wobbles all over the place while you’re cranking out yarn cakes.
Easy Set Up
I don’t know about you, but I want something that I can use straight out of the box or that requires very little assembly. The sooner I can wind my yarn the sooner I can get to crocheting. That’s the Goal!
Yarn Capacity
Depending on your needs you’ll want to know how much yarn the winder can hold. The yarn capacity varies from 2.5 oz. to 11 oz. on different winders. The winder I own holds up to 4 oz. of yarn, it is perfect for small skeins and winding leftover yarn. If I buy a jumbo skein of yarn, I just snip the yarn when the winder is full and make a second cake. If you want to make big cakes look for a winder that has a large yarn capacity.
10 Best Hand-Operated Yarn Winders
Below is a list of the 10 best yarn winders available. They vary in price and yarn capacity, I’m sure you’ll find one that is perfect for your crocheting needs.
1. Loops & Threads Yarn Winder
Easy to use hand operated yarn winder with a removable clamp. Perfect for making a center pull cake, that won’t tangle. Compatible with most yarn weights, small skeins of yarn are recommended.
- Yarn Capacity: Up to 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 5.75 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surfaces up to 2 inches thick
2. Knit Picks Yarn Ball Winder
Transform yarn hanks and skeins into compact center pull cakes that sit nicely while you crochet. Easily winds yarn, from lace and fingering weights to worsted and bulky weights. Removable spindle and folding yarn guide arm make for compact storage while still allowing quick and easy assembly. This winder also pivots, which makes it comfortable to use.
- Yarn Capacity: 3.5 oz
- Dimensions: 5.8 x 5 x 6 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surface up to 1 ½ inches thick
3. Lacis Yarn Ball Winder II
It comes fully assembled and prevents tangling by providing a uniform flow. This time-saving yarn ball winder has a compact design for convenient storage.
- Yarn Capacity: 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.2 x 4 inches
4. Stanwood Needlecraft Yarn Ball Winder
This yarn ball winder makes center pull yarn cakes. The clamp-on base allows it to be firmly fixed at the edge of tables or any other convenient locations. The crank is made with unbreakable metal and turns smoothly. If winding from a Swift they recommend the swift that fits this model.
- Yarn Capacity: 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 7 x 4.5 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surface up to 2 1/8 inches thick
5. Beisaqi Swift Yarn Fiber String Ball Wool Winder
Lightweight, portable and easy to install onto a table. Quite when working.
- Yarn Capacity: 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 10 x 6 x 6 inches
6. Yarn Winder by Craft Destiny
Easy to set up and use it as soon as you take it from the box. Transform skeins of yarn into ready-to-use yarn cakes. Has a metal handle and tabletop clamp that makes it stronger than winders with a plastic handle.
- Yarn Capacity: 4 oz.
- Dimensions: 7 x 4.8 x 7.5 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surfaces 1 ¾ inch thick
7. Nagina International Beech Winder
Made of Beech Wood, this is quite sturdy and stable. It features a rotating disc that in turns yarn skeins into center pull cakes.
- Yarn Capacity: 3 oz.
- Dimensions: 14.2 x 4.7 x 9.8 inches
8. Lacis Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder
A large capacity yarn winder for making a large center pull yarn cake.
- Yarn Capacity: 10 plus oz.
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 6.8 inches
9. U-nitt Metal Jumbo Large Yarn Ball Winder
Heavy-duty metal yarn ball winder with nylon cogwheels for quiet and smooth operation. Hand operated with easy clamp-on base.
- Yarn Capacity: 10 oz.
- Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 15 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surfaces up to 2 inches thick
10. Nancy’s Knit Knacks Heavy Duty Ball Winder
Made of Maple hardwood, steel shafts, heavy duty Swiss gears. Ball Winder includes 2 heavy duty table clamps, these allow for easy mounting.
- Yarn Capacity: 1 pound
- Dimensions: 14.2 x 12.4 x 6.8 inches
- Clamp: Attaches to surfaces up to 2 1/2 inches thick
How to Use a Yarn Winder
1. Insert the removable clamp and attach it to a table. This keeps your winder from moving around while winding your yarn.
2. Insert the end of the yarn into the two notches on the winder cone.
3. I use both notches to hold the yarn secure. Make sure it is flush against the back of the winder, so it doesn’t get caught in the gears.
4. Put yarn into the feed arm. On this model, you just have to wrap it twice, so it feeds through the middle of the feeder arm.
5. Now hold the yarn for tension and turn the crank to start wrapping your yarn.
6. Continue winding in the same direction until you have finished winding the skein.
7. When you have finished winding, tuck the end under a few strands to secure.
8. Remove the yarn from the notches and gently pull the yarn cake off the winder.
Yarn Cakes staked nice and neat until you are ready to use them for your next crochet project.
Storage Tip: If I’m not going to use the yarn right away, I curl up the label and place it in the center of the cake.
A Peek at Part of My Yarn Stash
Neatly stacked yarn cakes! I love how organized I can keep all of my yarn in these cubbies. Just looking at all the colors inspires me to create something new. Crocheting from these yarn cakes is amazing! They lay flat and I never have to worry about knots or tangles with how they feed from the center. I’m happy with my little winder, but I’m going to add one of the large yarn capacity winders to my Christmas wish list.
So Many Benefits of Using a Yarn Winder!
- Time Saving
- Center Feeding Cakes
- No More Surprise Knots or Tangles
- Helps with Tension/Gauge
- No Run Away Yarn Balls
- Stack Neatly
- Easy to Store
- It’s Fun!
Now that you know the benefits of owning a yarn winder, I know you are going to want one of your own!!!
Happy Winding!
Are you interested in other crochet products? Look at some of my favorites! Are you just learning to crochet? I’ve created step by step crochet lessons perfect for beginners, as well as free patterns to practice everything you learn.
If you found this post helpful, please leave a comment.
What you think of the electric winders do you know the price of them
Hello Margaret, I’m sorry to say that I have never tried an electric winder.