Why Use A Yarn Winder? Guide To Whether Yarn Winders Are Worth It

By Jodie Morgan

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As a knitter, I’ve often found myself tangled in a mess of yarn when trying to wind hanks by hand. This is when I discovered the magic of yarn winders. Why use a yarn winder? All is revealed below.

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Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

Why Use A Yarn Winder?

I’ve often found myself spending more time untangling yarn than actually knitting! That’s where a yarn winder comes in handy. In my experience, investing in a yarn winder will make you wonder how you managed without one!

Are you sick of using chair backs like this? Here are some reasons why you need to use one for winding your Yarn.

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Is A Yarn Winder Worth It? Benefits Of Using This Handy Tool.

Below I’ll explore the main advantages of using a yarn winder.

Access To Both Ends Of The Yarn

One of the best things about using a yarn winder is that it allows you to access both ends of the yarn easily. By winding your yarn into a center pull ball or cake, you can work from either the inside or outside end, depending on your preference. This versatility makes it much easier to manage the yarn as you knit and gives you more flexibility in your projects.

Avoiding Defects In Yarn

When you’re winding the yarn, you can spot defects like knots, weak spots, or inconsistencies. By catching these issues early, you’ll save time and effort, ensuring your finished product is of the highest quality without any surprises.

Some yarns, like Lion Brand Mandala and Caron Cakes, have color changes. The beauty of rewinding is you can wind it into separate colors.

Convenience

There’s nothing worse than a tangled mess when knitting! A hank is a long, twisted yarn form. Many hand-spun or hand-dyed yarns come in this shape. Fibers from craft stores/online are typically sold in skeins. To make it easier to knit with, make them into center-pull balls or cakes.

Winding yarn by hand is tedious, especially if you’re working with large quantities. A yarn winder effortlessly winds the yarn into a neat cake within minutes.

Plus, the compact size of most winders makes it easy to store.

Some yarn stores offer to wind yarn for you. It saves time, but don’t accept unless you’re using the yarn straight away. The longer you don’t use it, the strands lose elasticity. A ball winder gives you the freedom of when and where to wind.

Even Tension

Many commercially wound yarns are loose. This is great for storing. But they don’t maintain consistent tension throughout a pattern project.

A crucial factor in successful knitting is maintaining consistent tension throughout your project. As the yarn is wound into cakes, it’s much easier for me to control how tight or loose my stitches are. This has made a noticeable difference in the quality and appearance of my finished knitwear.

Tangle-Free Yarn

A yarn winder keeps your yarn tangle-free. By winding the yarn into a tidy and compact cake, you can work at a steady pace without worrying about frustrating snags in your yarn. Trust me, your knitting experience will be much more enjoyable when you can focus on your stitches!

So, here are the key reasons you should consider using a yarn winder:

  • Convenience in managing yarn.
  • Time-saving in winding and organizing.
  • Reducing frustration caused by tangled yarn.
  • Efficiency in maintaining consistent tension.

Conclusion

With these benefits in mind, it’s no wonder why I recommend using a yarn winder for your knitting. I’ve found a winder has revolutionized my knitting experience.

Frustrated Teacher Quits In Disgust, Sells The Farm, Moves The Family Halfway Across The World And… Starts Knitting

About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Knit Like Granny

Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

jodie@knitlikegranny.com | Lives In: Regional Australia

Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate knitter and blogger with 40+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother and wonderful grandmother “Mama”, she fell in love with crafting from a young age. When she’s not knitting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online knitting community. Get to know Jodie and the team on our meet the team page.

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