Stanwood Needlecraft Large Metal Yarn/Fiber/Wool/String Ball Winder - 10 oz

This product came mostly assembled, so it was easy to set up. I figured out how to use it quickly, and quickly turned a pull-skein of knitting yarn into a lovely center-pull cake, which will not roll around as I use it. I originally got it for firmer weaving yarns, but it works gently enough to not stretch knitting yarn. The mechanism seems sturdy, the gearing works smoothly and the yarn guides are fairly easy to figure out. Its a pleasure to use.

I recently got this ball winder as a replacement for my second ball winder. The first two I had were mostly plastic and both had failed on me due to the plastic construction, When I saw this one, the fact that it was mostly metal was what caught my attention. The price was in the ballpark of the latest dead ball winder, so I went for it.

I currently own the Stanwood 4 ounce yarn winder and have been very pleased with it so far. The only problem I was having is that it would only hold a 4 ounce yarn capacity, forcing me to stop midway through a 7 ounce skein of yarn and ending up with a two yarn cakes (thus more ends to weave in). I usually buy 7 ounce skeins and I prefer to wind them into yarn cakes instead of keeping them in a skein. I find that having nicely stacked yarn cakes keeps my yarn bag and stash much more organized. This is especially helpful when Im working on a project with multiple colors. Since I was so pleased with the Stanwood product I decided to order this 10 ounce yarn winder. I was hesitant at first because of the price, but since it had positive reviews I was willing to pay a little bit more in order to get a decent, well-made product. My winder came in today and I am more than pleased with this product. The gears and securement part of the winder are all metal and its actually fairly heavy. Picking it up I can tell its a solid product that will last me for a while. I do have some tips though that I have found to be helpful with winding your yarn:

My wife has been wanting this ball winder (which actually makes immaculate cakes of yarn) for a long time now, so I finally bought it for her for Christmas this year. She really likes it, as this allows her to speed up the process of converting hanks/skeins of unwound yarn into tidy cakes.

My old simple winder wasnt getting the job done, so decided to try one at a nice angle so the yarn wouldnt slip. This works great! Does a great job winding and havent had a single problem.

Best winder around.

The winder set up easily enough. Make sure the washer is above the end loop (actually a long U bend) of the long arm. The distal wire arm is the long wire that you have to attach, the proximal wire arm is the short wire that is already attached and spins around the bobbin. There is a large capacity clamp used to secure the winder to a work surface. Make sure you have enough clearance for the clamp handle and the winding handle to operate.

This Large Metal Winder with the Nylon Gears is so much smoother & eaiser to use then the smaller cheap Plastic one I bought first that was a waiste of money.

Love this item! I have sent a few as gifts- including my grandma who loves it! Perfect size cakes are made and very easy to use.

Does an excellent job. And makes a large ball of yarn.