If you're working with skein-packed yarn, a wooden yarn winder is an essential knitting tool. A handy gadget for winding yarn onto center pull balls or cakes.

Many hand-dyed yarns are often sold in skeins, and weaving straight from the skein is problematic - you'll be a tangled mess before you know it!

Yarn winders are best used in conjunction with a fast yarn. I've reviewed a couple of the most popular wood swifts available. You save so much time using a yarn winder, and the resulting yarn is a joy to work with. The yarn cake shape is like a cylinder, flat on the top and bottom.

This allows for less movement when you're knitting. I have wound a lot of yarn by hand into balls. If it escapes from my knitting bag, it pulls away very easily!

Wooden yarn winders look lovely in a craft room, and make less noise when winding.

I've reviewed the best options with a range of price points. There is something to suit people on a budget and for those who plan to do a lot of winding and are looking for a heavy duty option.

Maple Jumbo Yarn Winder - Best Overall Wooden Yarn Winder
Fiber Artist Supply Co Maple Jumbo Yarn Winder
Fiber Artists Supply Maple Jumbo Yarn Winder is a well made product that makes winding easy. All surfaces are finely sanded, so your yarn will not snag. You can separate the entire unit in less than a minute.

Pro

Ball bearings mean the winder spins almost effortlessly.
A well-balanced main winding assembly allows users to choose to wind with or without a table clamp.
It can wind up to 1lb of fingering weight yarn and 10 oz of combed weight yarn.
One year warranty from date of purchase against manufacturer's defects.
Disadvantage

Requires space for use
Check today's price
Here is the Maple Jumbo Yarn Winder in action.


Halcyon Heavy Duty Wooden Spinning Ball Winder
Heavy Duty Halcyon Yarn Ball Wooden Ball Winder
Made of maple wood
Reel up to 1 lb balls
Steel and commercial quality, heavy-duty Swiss gears
Yarn guide arm can rotate 180 degrees to allow for 5 different angles
Includes 2 heavy-duty table clamps that allow mounting to up to 2.5″ table thickness
One year limited warranty
More Info.
Nancy's Knit Knacks Heavy Duty Ball Winder - Best Heavy Duty 16 Ounce Wooden Yarn Winder
Nancy's Knit Knacks Heavy Duty Ball Winder.
This winder is heavy duty and can wind up to one pound of yarn (16 oz) at a time. Easy to use and does not require much assembly. Made of strong, durable materials with an ergonomic design.

Wood is quality maple, looks beautiful installed on a table. Made in the USA with Swiss made gears. (The Swiss know their gears).

The spindle capacity is perfect for a person in the market for a larger, more durable ball winder. One tool to wind all those big skeins.

A considerable investment but well worth it. Excellent value for how long it lasts. It's a workhorse! Think of all the projects you will be doing.

Pro

Nancy Knit-Knacks heavy duty ball winder can finish up to 1lb. simultaneously.
It comes fully assembled with you just put the handle and yarn guide on it.
It has a sleek ergonomic design and focuses more on using your arm to wind.
Smooth operation and makes very little noise.
It can be adjusted in several ways. Can change the yarn ball at five different angles in relation to the positioning of the machine.
Guaranteed to be easy to use and comfortable.
Flexible options for yarn ball tension and size.
Requires little assembly. Easy to use.
Made in the USA from maple wood and has Swiss gears.
It has a one-year warranty and an option to add an electric motor.
It has excellent ratings and customer reviews.
Disadvantage

A small chance of experiencing thread tangling and overwinding.
Note: Some users found that they can wind on cardboard cones using this winder.

Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Knitters Pride Signature Ball Winder - Best Budget Selection
Knitters Pride Natural Ball Winder
Pro

Winds up to 1lb fingering weight yarn
Anti-friction bearing on the side of the spool for free rotation.
Good quality bearing provides super smooth yarn winding.
Non-skid rubber pads prevent the winder from slipping and scratching the table.
Disadvantage

Some customers found the thread cakes to be looser.
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Weaver's Pride Nostepinne
Weaver's Pride Nostepinne
A simple design with no moving parts. It is like a polished and carved stick.

Made of wood with a varnished finish. The carved handle is comfortable to hold. There is a groove at the top for tying yarn to start winding.

Pro

Creates center pull balls
Great budget option
Disadvantage

Can only wind as fast as you are capable of
Using too much tension while winding stretches the thread.
Click to learn more / Buy on Amazon
The following products are made of wood, but they are yarn swifts. They are ideal for holding the skein of yarn in place instead of using the backs of dining room chairs. They spin freely while a yarn winder is winding the yarn into cakes.

Stanwood Needlecraft Wooden Umbrella Winder
Stanwood Needlecraft Wooden Umbrella Winder
A solid, medium-sized Swift umbrella made from birch wood material with a finely sanded finish. Overall construction and performance ensures it will last for years.

Capable of handling 6-foot circumference skeins. When working, it is fairly quiet, and the turning is smooth.

The manufacturer selects pieces of wood without scars or blemishes. These twine swifts are less vulnerable to breakage and have a beautiful even sanded finish.

The ends of the metal tying wires are hidden in the holes. There are no rough edges to hurt your hands or snag the twine.

Pro

Holds up to 6 feet skein in circumference.
Can be fastened to various surfaces, 1 3/4 inch thick, such as tables, benches or chairs.
Very sturdy construction made of quality wood.
Swivels effortlessly
Packs down for storage.
Disadvantage

On rare occasions, the screw portion of the clamp can sometimes crack, but screw replacements are available.
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Ella Lin Wooden Umbrella Swift Winder
Ella Lin Wooden Umbrella Swift Winder
A swift is used in conjunction with a yarn winder. The skein is placed over the arms of the swift, and the end of the yarn is attached to the winder. Operate the winder, and the rapid rotates.

Pro

This rapid is made from natural birch wood with a highly sanded finish, so your yarn won't snag.
Easy to set up.
Able to operate with both hands free.
Disadvantage

Table clamp may scratch some surfaces.
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Store for good yarn yarn

What is a wooden thread winder?
A yarn winder is a tool used to wind yarn from a skein to make center-pull yarn cakes.
What is the best wooden thread winder?
The best thread winder is made of sturdy materials with gears that are smooth when in operation.

Why do I need a wooden yarn winder?
You need a yarn winder to make crocheting easier. Working from a skein without winding it first is no fun. Creating neat yarn cakes with a pull center makes working your crochet projects a breeze.

No more tangled yarn monsters!

How do you use a wooden yarn winder?
To use a wooden yarn winder, follow these steps:

Attach the winder to a flat surface with the clamp provided.
Find the end of the thread and place it in the slot of the bobbin.
Pass the yarn through the yarn guide
Slowly turn the crank handle and the bobbin is wound up
Continue turning the crank until the skein is completed into a yarn cake.
A wooden yarn winder is a worthwhile investment for your crocheting activities. Made with quality materials and built to last, one of these is sure to bring you crocheting joy for years to come.

I hope this information helps you choose which one is right for you. If you have any questions, get in touch or send me a message on Twitter.

Happy Crocheting!

Most of the ball thread winders you find are manual, and they do a good job if you have the time. But what if you don't?

For some, winding yarn by hand is not a task they enjoy, or it's not possible since they have sore wrists or hands. It can also be very tiring if you suffer from fatigue or strain in your arms and shoulders.

Having an electric string ball winder is an attractive option. It solves all of the above problems, and is a very convenient tool. Standard Electronic Maple Yarn Ball Standard Ball Winder
Standard electronic electronic maple yarn ball ball winder by The KnitStore Etsy Store.
The Knit Store has 5 star reviews from their satisfied customers.
This is a simple plug & play operation and runs on 100-240v wall power. This winder can handle most commercially available skeins.
Ashford Electric Ball Winder
Ashford Electric Yarn Winder The Spinnery Etsy Store
The Spinnery has very happy customers sharing 5 star reviews.
Wind up to (17½ozs) 500gm of yarn.
Clockwise and counterclockwise winding balls.
Soft start allows you to control the yarn as it begins to wind onto the cone
Instant stop when you need it and includes a foot switch for better control of your yarn.
Mounted on rubber feet, one clamp included
12v electrical cord from the pipes included
Manufactured from beautiful New Zealand native silver beech wood with a lacquered finish

The Simplicity Boye electric thread winder
Simplicity Boye electric yarn ball winder
If you have done any searching, you would have found a model made by Boye: The Simplicity Boye Electric Yarn Winder. Boye is a well-known company of knitting and crocheting tools and notions.

Buying a new one of these models is highly unlikely, as it doesn't seem readily available. You are more likely to find a second hand model. However, I don't think you should bother.

Although it sped up the process of winding the yarn by hand, it needed to be constantly monitored. Many customers found that the motor was not powerful enough and sometimes stopped working altogether.

Yarn store good yarn

Weaver Electric Yarn Winder
Electric Weaver Yarn Spinning Winder
A Hong Kong-based company created this model. It originated as a Kickstarter project, and after being adequately funded, it went into production.

This automatic yarn winder has several speeds, normal, fast and running. The last one allows you to press the button, and the machine will spin for as long as you hold it down.

The moment you take your finger off the button, it stops automatically. It also has an electronic rotation counter.

I have read the reviews, and they are poor. Most people felt that this product was not worth the money, as it did not work as they expected.

Customers found that the unit jumped all over the place when running, and did not make a neat and tidy yarn cake.

Check today's price
Beech 250G Electric Backing Spinning Winder
Beech Knitting Accessories Beech PDB3
The PDB 250g electric yarn winder will finish up to 250 gm / approximately 9 oz of yarn, depending on the type of yarn used.

A spare bobbin is also supplied. There is no automatic shut off on this motorized yarn winder. You have to turn off the thread winder once the bobbin is full.

A UK based company, but ships internationally. The winder will be the correct tension for the country it is being shipped to. However, you may need to fit a suitable plug in some countries.

More information from Hague Direct
I am yet to find an electric wire winder that will suit someone on a budget. I dare say that was why the Boye Electric Yarn Winder was popular in the past. It was cheaper than the previous options.

I'll be sure to update my post if I find something inexpensive but works well.

If you know of an electric yarn ball winder you recommend, get in touch here or send me a message on Twitter.

Yarn winders are great inventions, but did you know you can make your own? That's right, it's true!

A perfect option if you are handy or creatively inclined, or the commercially available yarn winders are out of your budget range.

Here's another incentive to make your yarn cakes, it's much cheaper to buy yarn in skeins or hanks than ready-made cakes.
What are you waiting for? Get out of your DIY mentality and create your machine to be proud of.

Here are some helpful tutorials, tips and tricks.

If this seems like too much hard work, I've reviewed the best yarn winders on the market. How to make a homemade yarn winder?
Here's a simple but ingenious way to make a diy yarn winder using everyday items you can get cheaply at thrift or discount stores.

It's easy and quick to put together too. Fun and a great way to save money.

Note: With this method, you cannot adjust the size very quickly. To wind a different size skein, you must remove all the tape.

You will need

Lazy Susan - 1
A dish rack or wine rack (make sure it's the kind that can collapse) - 1
A large Sizer or Turkey Baster ring - 1
Adhesive tape
Scissors
Step 1

Prepare your skein by untwisting it and removing all the loops, so it is one long loop. Place the yarn loop around the rack and adjust the size as needed to make it tight.

Place the frame on top of the lazy Susan, centering it, making sure it is not unbalanced.

Step 2

Obtain the tape and scissors and cut pieces of tape, taping the shelf tightly to the lazy susan. Make sure to tape in the opposite direction of the first piece of tape in a criss-cross fashion.

This is so that it does not collapse inward.

Step 3

Test it to make sure it is secure. Add more tape if necessary.

You've created it - congratulations! Here is a list of steps on how to wind the yarn.

Get the large ring sizer or turkey baster. Hold it in your left hand.
Hold the yarn in your right hand and wrap it around the turkey to make sure it doesn't slip.
Wrap the yarn around the turkey, using the following pattern. First, wind perpendicular until you have a good layer of yarn. Then wind at 45 degrees, with the wraps 1/4 apart, turning the ring size as you go with your left hand.
(This technique is similar to what you do when winding with a Nostepinne).
It can be a little tricky when you first start, but you will get the hang of it.
You can have a beautifully wound center pull yarn cake in less than 15 minutes!

Yarn store good yarn

Alternative Methods
Here are some other ideas for making your yarn ball winder.

#1 - Simple quick fix solution
If you need to quickly get some yarn out of breath or fixed, this is the perfect quick fix solution.

Note: This method produces cakes, but with a cardboard tube in the middle to hold it together. Also, it's not a center pull. Pull as you would a ball or skein.

You will need

Electric mixer - 1
Cardboard roll or tube - 1 (can be short or long)
Scissors
Step 1
Gather your materials. Place the electric mixer on its side, with the whisk pointing up and out. Place the cardboard tube into the whisk part of the mixer. Make sure it fits snugly.

Step 2

Get the scissors and cut a small slit in the top of the cardboard tube. Place the end of the string in the slot. Tie the end of the twine to a part of the electric mixer beater.

Step 3

Turn on the electric mixer at the lowest possible speed. Hold the thread to maintain even tension, and as you turn the beater, the thread will begin to wrap around the cardboard roll.

Step 4

Continue winding until everything is finished. Turn off the mixer and untie the end of the beater. Remove the roll from the beater, and you have your yarn ready to go.



#2 - Using a Nostepinne
Have you ever heard of one of these?

It's the older version of the modern yarn ball winder. The name comes from a Scandinavian word meaning "nest-stick."

It's not exactly a DIY winder, but it is the older version of today's ball winders. Still, it's a beautiful way to wind your yarn, and much more do-it-yourself than the other options on the market.

If you're good at or enjoy woodworking, you could even make one for yourself.

How to use a Nostepinne

Tie the end of the twine to the pole and make sure it's a knot you can easily undo when you're done. A hitch knot is a great idea. (If it has a groove, tie it there. If not, tie it at the top or bottom. It doesn't matter which end.)
Move the yarn to the center and begin winding. This is to form the base of the ball of yarn. As you twist, make sure it is close together, you don't want it too far. Keep the yarn taut.
Take the yarn from the top wrap to the bottom diagonally as you twist the Nostepinne with your other hand. Do it again, but move it from the bottom to the top.
Repeat the yarn strand pattern until you have finished wrapping all the yarn.


Other great tutorials on how to make a ball winder.
#1 - Almost like a store bought version, but even better.

A knitting and crafting lover who goes by the name Handprints created an excellent do-it-yourself version.

It takes a little longer and is a slightly more complicated version than other methods discussed in this post, but it is excellent.

The best part is that it doesn't require too much hassle to obtain materials or power tools.

Available on Instructables here.

#2 - A ball winder using an electric drill?

Incredible as it may seem, yes, you can use an electric drill to wind yarn, as this tutorial from Sideways at Instructables shows you how to do it.

It's deceptively simple, but be sure to be very gentle and don't let the drill go too fast!

More info here.

Your questions answered
Can you use a thread winder without a Swift?
Yes, of course, you can! But if you decide not to use a rapid, you will need something else to hold the thread loop.

A good idea is the back of a chair, an expandable shelf of some sort, or someone patient and willing arms!

How do you wind yarn with a ball winder?
Find a workbench or space you can use to set up your tools. Clear the area.

If you are concerned about whether you might get damaged by the table clamp, place a cloth on the surface. The best distance between your yarn winder and the fast wind is 12-18 inches.

Attach each instrument to the table and tighten the bolts to secure them.
Putting the yarn on the Swift
Unwind the skein or hank and remove the loops, so it is a ring of yarn. If using scissors, be careful not to cut the actual thread when removing the loops.
Find the two ends, checking that they are not tangled.
Push the button at the bottom of the pole up. The arms will expand.
Place the ring around the arms. Adjust as necessary.
Connect the thread to the bobbin winder.

Find the end that is on the outside. This is the one you need to connect to the bobbin winder.
Slide it through the metallic thread guide and the slot at the top of the spindle.
It is now attached
Create a yarn cake

Start turning the spindle slowly. The skein yarn will begin to spin, creating the center pull cake.
Use your other hand to guide the yarn between the instruments. It helps you to have control over the tension.
Increase the winding speed slightly. Make sure everything continues to run smoothly.
You'll have the results of your beautiful cake in no time!
Remove the thread

In one hand, hold the yarn with your pincer fingers in the slot at the top of the winder.
Use the other hand to ease the cake of yarn.
Unwind a length of yarn from the ball. Wrap it around the middle a few times and place it at the end.
Tada, you're done!

How to make a yarn cake by hand?
Make a ball winder for yourself, use a nostepinne or use an everyday household object, such as a turkey, rolling pin or similar long cylindrical object.

There you have it, ready to venture into the world of DIY and create something useful, functional, and something you can be proud of? I hope you find this post useful.