I'm going to be stepping into some money soon, and I dont get money that often, but I have a dilemma...sortof.

Anyway, I was wondering two things - of those of you that HAVE Yarn swifts, how often do you use them, and how often do you knit?

I ask both these questions because I go through phases of "cant live without knitting!" and "I can live without it" a few weeks (or months) at a time. Of course, my first love is drawing, and I have just stepped back into it and dont intend of backing away anytime soon. But I do many other things.

So I'm wondering will it be worth it to get a Yarn swift? I have a ball winder on my list of things to get, but a yarn swift?...I dunno. The combination of the two is quite expensive! (I'm only getting 300 bucks and my wishlist is humongous)

There's only been two times throughout the year and a half I've been knitting that a yarn swift/ball winder would have been nice. But I think a ball winder would be awesome for all the balls of yarn I have and they easily come apart themselves. (pull skeins)

so, do you think it's worth it? (this coming from someone who hasnt knit since st paddys day)

If I had to pick one, I'd go with the winder. I have both, and knit every day, but I don't only knit with skeins--some are pull balls. However, if you have someone to hold the skein while you wind it, I think that's better than having the swift and winding by hand. You can improvise a swift, but not the winder.

I also just frogged a sweater directly onto the winder and it made life a lot easier!

:thinking:
Although I don't have either a ball winder or a swift (yet), I have run this same discussion in my head. What I have come up with is that if I could only get one or the other, I think it would be easier to come up with substitute for a swift than a ball winder. If I was opperating the winder, I could slowly feed the yarn from the hank if wrapped around chairs, or some kind soul's hands. I'd review the subs for swifts that the creative types on KH have come up with to make it easier to make speedy use of the ball winder...
If you use a slow version of a swift, then perhaps a Nostepinde would be a sufficient "ball winder" ?
And if worse comes to worse, when you spend some of your 300 clams on yarn, have the shop wind it for you, if you plan to use it soon.

Just my 583 cents!
:thumbsup:
Jodie

thanks for the responses guys :D I was having the same thoughts myself, and I was thinking that it'd be more reasonable with my pocketbook to just get a ball winder - I know FOR SURE I want one of those. And they are on sale at joann.com :D Anyone have a recommendation for a specific kind of ball winder?

I have both and I use both, but I'm a spinner, so that's why.

My swift is a cheap metal version (vintage) that I got on eBay for a few dollars. It comes apart and stores in a very small box. When I want to use it, I clamp it to a table and attach the arms.