Yarn Winders - Manual
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A yarn winder is an essential tool - expect it to be an investment
So what are your winding options?
Cone winder versus Cake winder
EVEN if your winder uses a cone - if it winds diagonally (over the edges) it is NOT a CONE WINDER - that is a BALL or CAKE of yarn - a cone wound bit of yarn winds OUTWARDS (not diagonally) - which makes a HUGE difference in how even tension will be as it comes off the yarn source.
Some people feel using a BALL/CAKE of yarn by feeding the yarn from the outside or inside is the same as using a cone of yarn. It isn’t. The BALL/CAKE has uneven tension causing it to snag or feed unevenly. Still other persons have mounted BALLOO/CAKED yarn on a horizontal holder like a roll of toilet paper in an attempt to offer even feed however I feel it still differs substantially in the center than the outer yarn.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO?
We can use a CONE WINDER. A cone winder (or bobbin winder - see the bottom of this page) offers consistent support and yarn tension from beginning to end. Thus a cone or bobbin is often recommended.
Shareable link: https://youtu.be/bbFV-0CSBKA
Knitting Machines and Circular Sock Machines are very sensitive to tension changes.
Look how quickly the yarn feeds off this cardboard cone.
THIS IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE MANUAL CONE WINDER - It goes by many names but always ONLY looks like the two shown (in either red or blue). Brand names seen include: Royal / Empisal / Brother / Toyota / Knitmaster / Silver Reed. This winder is no longer made but can sometimes be found on ebay or other online places. Cones for this winder are sturdy, stackable and can load over 200grams of sock yarn on one convenient cone!
Whenever using any kind of knitting machine (like a CSM) we need to setup or prepare the skein of yarn so that it will feed with even tension into the machine. If we tried using a store bought skein of yarn directly with the machine, each time the oval shape/or cake of yarn got caught, the tension would change and disrupt the resulting knit fabric. This is why I personally recommend coning your yarn - not using a cake winder with a center pull.
The vintage winder is no longer actively made so finding it can be hit or miss online HOWEVER…
David Kettman NOW makes a 3D modern version of this timeless winder. See his contact info on our SUPPLIERS page!
See this page Yarn Winder for more info, cones, cone alternatives, adapters and trouble shooting.
While I purchased their Electric Speedy Cone Winder™ and the upgrade for it, the speedy guide and go™. They also offer a manual option: The Handy Cone Winder!
Joyce Knit and Sews - USA | Website | YouTube video on how to use this winder | Email: joyceknitsandsews@gmail.com | Electric cardboard cone winder with optional manual or upgraded automatic yarn feed with case. Winder also offers twist and click cone adapters allowing for a diverse cone use. I bought the Speedy Cone Winder withe the upgrade Speedy Guide and Go (that stores all in a custom case). For specific info please see their website. I UTTTERLY love the electric winder - all the components are efficient with the system taking up very little space while being a quiet winder.
SEE MY DETAILED YOUTUBE VIDEO ON THIS WINDER
See Yarn Winder page for supplies and more.
LOWEST COST YARN MANUAL WINDING
These style winders often means manually needing to direct the yarn (I find this difficult personally) however one can usually wind onto on a cardboard cone or a wood bobbin (see further down this page). One option is to use a rubber stopper with a drill - but as it uses a drill please find info on that on YARN WINDERS - ELECTRIC
Buy a rubber stopper from a brewing store and insert it permanently onto a drillbit to be used on a drill or buy the drill winder attachment (and cardboard cones) from Erlbacher - see the cone section below on this page. How to wind onto a cone or bobbin is shown in the next segment.
You get what you pay for however - using a drill can be unwieldy as you have to manage the drill, the correct winding and placement of the yarn onto the cone AND any yarn skein issues but it is possible if you’re determined. :)
Another low cost option….
Is to buy the winder shown here (it goes by many names and is widely available on eBay) - this winder in itself holds very little yarn HOWEVER if you make yourself an adapter with a recycled plastic container and extra lid (not my idea) you can add cardboard cones (not use the wire yarn guide on the bottom) and manually wind yarn onto it like the vintage winders in the next segment. I DON’T recommend this winder due to its severe limitations on how much that can be wound due to space available.
See Yarn Winder page for supplies and more.
Vintage Yarn Winders
Susan Forsyth demonstrates how to use.
Tom Beinlinge demonstrates winding onto a bobbin (and more) in GERMAN with english subtitles.
How to wind yarn onto a cardboard cone
See Yarn Winder page for supplies like cones, cone alternatives, adapters and more.
TRY ADAPTERS ON YOUR VINTAGE WINDER WITH CARDBOARD CONES
David Kettman offers a variety of 3D printed options including 3D printed bobbins or these adapters to use plastic/cardboard cones on this winder. Dave also 3D printed Royal Cone style cones. When using the vintage bobbin winder one still needs to manually direct the yarn. The contact info for David is listed above with available cones and is also found on the SUPPLIERS page.
PROS: This winder often came with the vintage machines.
CONS: Often the leather belt that came on this is worn out (however new belts are available!). Requires wooden bobbins or a more modern accessory to accommodate cardboard or plastic cones. Bobbins are tall and take up a lot of space. In order to transfer the yarn onto what you have loaded on the winder you definitely skill or you will have “yarn barf” yarn coming undone or loosing tension and making a knotty mess.
Where can you find these vintage winders?
Search on eBay (and save the search to email you if it comes up)
Contact Gil and Michelle Minty - Canada | See their info on the USED CSM page. Sometimes they have some.
Check Circular sock machine Facebook Group for sale and parts listings
Buy a more modern version listed below.
Have this and want to buy wood bobbins? See further down this page for supplier info.
Some wood bobbins can still be purchased, as can cardboard or plastic cones from a variety of places. For further supplier info please see my SUPPLIERS page.
See Yarn Winder page for supplies like cones, cone alternatives, adapters and more.
An adapter to use cones on a vintage winder
Want a simple and inexpensive WINDING option?
Buy a single rubber stopper on Amazon and either use it on a vintage bobbin winder or a drill with a cardboard cone. Manual yarn directing onto the cone is needed.
Erlbacher - located in the USA | Website | Facebook | Cone link | Seller website can only process United States orders so consider emailing if outside of the states. Cones are 6 3/4″ high with a 2 5/8″ diameter base. This cone is compatible with their drill attachment simple cone winder that requires manual yarn guiding to load. | Drill winder link | What you see on the right is the Drill Winder attachment for cone winding using a drill. It requires holding the drill and directing yarn onto the cone correctly.
Another similar style (but new) winder using cardboard cones (manual hand guiding yarn)
Wood That It Whir - Ken - Granite Bay, California USA | Etsy | Wood cone and bobbin yarn winders. Winder info: Manual bobbin winder which requires manual yarn directing for correct cone loading.
Will wind bobbins and cones with a thru center hole. Bobbin center hole diameter can range from approximately 1/8" to as large as 5/8". This bobbin winder uses a pass thru mount (not a tapered shaft mount) to hold the bobbins in place.
My findings having bought and tried this winder: although a beautiful wood design, the way cones are mount are finicky with the need to still guide the yarn by hand - I recommend any of the vintage winders with adapters over this as they are easier to add or remove cones while both needing hand direction on yarn placement.
Sunfyre-3D printed manual cone winder
David Huelster designed this winder | Email: davehuelster@gmail.com | VIDEO | While this person designed this winder, it’s up to others to print. This person is also on the SUPPLIERS page. David called this the Sunfyre and the person below calls it a Sunfire.
CassandrasPlaceStore | Etsy | How to use and care for this winder | Cones used are measured Base Outside Diameter: 2.75", Top Outside Diameter: 1.375", Height: 6.625"
We have seen persons online using this winder with a drill - David Huelster notes that this winder is not designed to be used with a drill. I have not tried this style of winder.
See Yarn Winder page for supplies like cones, cone alternatives, adapters and more.
SPECIALTY WINDERS
Yarn TWISTERS
Presenting the KristKrafter Yarn Twister - this is a unique manual twister and winder that allows you to take almost any number of yarn into it to twist and cake the yarn. For more info see the item description on their website. I use this device as I am not a spinner and do not have any other way to twist and wind yarn when I wish to combine more than one strand of fiber onto a ball or cone. This winder produces a CAKE of yarn, so once done I then prefer to wind that cake onto a cone for uninterrupted use on my CSM. See the supplier contact information on my SUPPLIERS page. The shareable YouTube link for my video is https://youtu.be/K_zjDpbYZmw
Daruma Home Twister
Roberta Rose Meads YouTube Demo | Plying Yarn with a Twister by Diane Sullivan YouTube |
See Yarn Winder page for supplies like cones, cone alternatives, adapters and more.
3D print your own winder
Royal cone style winder that is electric or manual by Holger Pandel | Files online | For the manual example see YARN WINDER-ELECTRIC
Misc Winders out and about
(Listed in no particular order)
Heather took this vintage winder and upgraded it with 3D printed homemade parts to make an adapter that fit the spindle for cone using and a guide that directed the yarn onto that cone. | Email: heather.carter1@ntlworld.com
Fibre Artist Supply | Website | Instagram | Facebook | Facebook videos: first model. Second model | Both versions put on hold in 2020.
Hague Knitting Accessories - PDB Electric Yarn Winder | Winder on YouTube |
Industrial design Video for inspiration
Nancy Knit Knacks | Winder on YouTube |
Bobbin Winder - Leclerc | Website | Adapter Video on YouTube - etsy store on hold since 2017 |
Winch with spooling device Video - could be adapted to cone winding - uses a chain
Justheretobraap Reddit post on progress of winder
GSN Knit | Website | Winder on YouTube | Winder on YouTube |
дмитрий моталка | Winder on YouTube |
RUSXEMA.COM | Winder on YouTube | Website use google translate to see in english |
Андрей Хрущ | Winder on YouTube |
Ирина Майсей | Winder on YouTube |
LU Winder by Motocono | Winder on YouTube |
The directional barrel goes by a few names. | Traverse Roll Video | Ball Reverser Video (self reverser winder screw) | Two screw slider drive Video | Barrel Cam Video | Reversing Screw Video | Self reversing screw video |
Presenting a new section: History and Ads for past VINTAGE yarn winders
This page is a work in progress.
Feel other suppliers should be listed? Please email me with their complete with a brief summary of items and info for website submission consideration.