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KNITTING & CROCHET TOOLS


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Ball winders are used to make a ball out of yarn purchased in hanks or skeins. The resulting ball of yarn sits nicely & moves without effort, while knitting. Most knitting stores will have one for you to use and some online stores give you an option to ship yarn as a ball.
Ball winders are used to make a ball out of yarn purchased in hanks or skeins. The resulting ball of yarn sits nicely & moves without effort, while knitting. Most knitting stores will have one for you to use and some online stores give you an option to ship yarn as a ball.
Primary tool used for crochet. Also used in knitting for adding skipped or missed stitches. Knitters use a crochet hook to add skipped or missing stitches without having to take your piece apart.
Primary tool used for crochet. Also used in knitting for adding skipped or missed stitches. Knitters use a crochet hook to add skipped or missing stitches without having to take your piece apart.
A tool used to measure gauge - the size of your stitches and rows based on the yarn and needles used for your project. A knit chek can also help identify the size of unmarked knitting needles.
A tool used to measure gauge - the size of your stitches and rows based on the yarn and needles used for your project. A knit chek can also help identify the size of unmarked knitting needles.
Primary tool used for knitting. There are 3 types: straight, double pointed, and circular.
Primary tool used for knitting. There are 3 types: straight, double pointed, and circular.
Use a soft measuring tape to properly size your hats, gloves, sweaters or scarves.
Use a soft measuring tape to properly size your hats, gloves, sweaters or scarves.
Easily make perfect poofs to embellish your projects.
Easily make perfect poofs to embellish your projects.
Art Sheers/Scissors A pair of sharp scissors that are dedicated to crafts or knitting will prevent fraying or soiling yarn. When making pom-poms or other embellishments that require cutting multiple strands of yarn at once, dull scissors will be difficult to use and may result in an uneven result.
Art Sheers/Scissors A pair of sharp scissors that are dedicated to crafts or knitting will prevent fraying or soiling yarn. When making pom-poms or other embellishments that require cutting multiple strands of yarn at once, dull scissors will be difficult to use and may result in an uneven result.
Knitting cables requires slipping stitches in front of back of other stitches. Cable knitting needles help the knitter securely pass stitches over or under stitches without dropping or losing stitches. A small, double point, knitting needles can be used to hold stitches as well - bamboo works best for this purpose.
Knitting cables requires slipping stitches in front of back of other stitches. Cable knitting needles help the knitter securely pass stitches over or under stitches without dropping or losing stitches. A small, double point, knitting needles can be used to hold stitches as well - bamboo works best for this purpose.
Attach directly on fabric or needles tokeep track of stitch number, the beginning of a round project, the front side of a piece, etc.
Attach directly on fabric or needles tokeep track of stitch number, the beginning of a round project, the front side of a piece, etc.
A blunt end needle (to prevet catching on yarn) used to combine pieces, hide loose ends of yarn or add embelishments.
A blunt end needle (to prevet catching on yarn) used to combine pieces, hide loose ends of yarn or add embelishments.
A tool used to hold a hank or skein of yarn while it is being wound intoa ball.
A tool used to hold a hank or skein of yarn while it is being wound intoa ball.
Holds yarn in place to prevent it from rolling away or tangled while working on your project.
Holds yarn in place to prevent it from rolling away or tangled while working on your project.

Yarn Ball Winder & Umbrella Swift


What is a Ball Winder & Swift Used For?

When purchasing yarn, you may find that it is twisted into a hank or skein. This is not ideal for working with the yarn for knitting and crochet projects. This is where a ball winder & swift are excellent tools to make a ball out of yarn that sits nicely and moves without effort as you work.

If you purchase yarn at your local yarn shop, they will likely have one that they can teach you how to use. If this is not an option, a ball winder & umbrella swift are must-haves for your craft tool-kit. A wood swift costs a bit more than the plastic + metal models but are less likely to catch your yarn as you spin the umbrella swift around.

An umbrella swift has the advantage of fitting perfectly inside the skein, regardless of the diameter. The amish table swift is typically limited to 4-6 sizes, which may not be a problem for your needs.


How to use a ball winder & umbrella swift:

Part One

Prepare by clamping the ball winder and umbrella swift to the side of a table or counter, about 12 inches apart. Positioning the ball winder and umbrella swift on opposite sides of the corner of the table works really well.

  1. Untwist your skein of yarn, it will open up to a large loop.
  2. Identify where the yarn begins/ends - it will most likely be tied together in a knot. Most yarn will also have a small piece of yarn looped & tied around the yarn; this helps keep the skein together.
  3. Place the loop of yarn on a table or hold it so that it does not tangle. Carefully cut off all of the knots, keeping the yarn in the loop shape.

Part Two

Put the yarn onto the swift & ball winder.

  1. Look through each strand of yarn to be sure that the yarn consistently goes around the loop. If you see the yarn make a U-turn, straighten it out by bringing the strand to the opposite side of the circle.
  2. Open up the swift to about half of the size of your yarn loop.
  3. Position the yarn in the middle of your swift and open the swift up more, until the yarn is held tight.
  4. Find the outer end of your yarn. Pull it gently to be sure that you have the correct end; it should move easily. Slip the yarn through the metal guide, on your ball winder, and pull it into the notch to hold it in place.


Part Three

Making a ball of yarn

  1. Slowly turn the crank on the ball winder, guiding the yarn with your hand. Avoid the temptation to turn the crank too fast. While it's fun watching the swift spin like a carnival ride, untangling & getting yarn back to a nice loop is not.
    Note: The yarn can (and very very likely will) get caught on parts of the swift as it spins around and get progressively worse as you continue to spin it. If you get carried away (as I did early on) and find yourself with more tangles than you have time/patience to deal with, cut your yarn into smaller pieces.

    Try to keep the yarn as long as possible, if you can. Use your hand & elbow to make a loop out of each piece of the yarn and make smaller balls using the same steps above.
  2. Identify where the yarn begins/ends - it will most likely be tied together in a knot. Most yarn will also have a small piece of yarn looped & tied around the yarn; this helps keep the skein together.
  3. Place the loop of yarn on a table or hold it so that it does not tangle. Carefully cut off all of the knots, keeping the yarn in the loop shape.