Tools and Gadgets for Knit/Crochet

[gruvey9]

I use ones that don't have fingers in them. I had a pair like this with the fingers and didn't like the feel at all

[laceyj1204]

Just wondering if anyone has heard of this. I bought a Knook kit last night at Hobby Lobby and am quite enamored with it. It's like tunisian crochet and knitting all together. If you haven't tried this out I urge you to give it a whirl. It's really fun. I've messed around with it for a couple hours and am quite comfortable with using it. The instruction booklet gives clear instructions and lots of pictures for both left and right handed use. It also has like 3 or 4 patterns included. Here's a link to it if you'd like to check it out. http://www.leisurearts.com/how-to-knook

[karenarp]

Does anyone have a large ball winder? I have the small standard one, makes about the 2 oz balls (give or take depending on yarn) I am currently on the hunt for a larger one. Sometimes the standard size is just too small! I was wondering, if you do have the larger one, or have used a larger one, what did you think of it? Was it as easy to use as the small one?
My husband did a search and the only place he could find the large ball winder was Bernat! lol Wonder if that means Spinrite carries it or would order it in? I would rather a trip to the store than order on line eh!

[JazzHooked]

YES...i wanted to start this same thread. I don't have a ball winder yet...I almost bought one for myself last year, but all the ones i found just seemed so flimsy, and couldn't do a large hank/skein. I would want something that can do 3 oz and up. that really isn't all that big!

jaz

[kpole]

I just ordered a ball winder from knit picks... not sure if it is any good of the size you are looking for but i thought i would give the website for you to look at anyways!
http://www.knitpicks.com/accessories/Kn ... 80583.html

[dogfoster]

A few months ago a bought a set of three of these hook things only because I wanted a wooden crochet hook. Now I don't where the set is. I did quickly look through the booklet that came with it and it looked too difficult for me. Seems like I just shy away from anything that is more than one hook. But I am so happy you are having fun with it.
You have given me smidgen of confidence, after all, how difficult could a hook with just one little extra string hanging out the end be? I will give it a try when I find the set. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement!

[Shandeh]

I use my ball winder a lot. When I have yarn leftover after a project, I will wind up the leftovers, and store them in my craft room. I fold up the label and stick it in the center of the yarn "cake".

I also use the ball winder if I'm unravelling a project. It works great for that.

Unravelling Turtleneck by Shandeh, on Flickr

I was very lucky finding my ball winder on eBay for just a few dollars. I would like to have a nicer one sometime. Maybe the Boye electric ball winder - I think it would hold more yarn than my standard winder.

[karenarp]

...
I also use the ball winder if I'm unravelling a project. It works great for that.

Unravelling Turtleneck by Shandeh, on Flickr

I was very lucky finding my ball winder on eBay for just a few dollars. I would like to have a nicer one sometime. Maybe the Boye electric ball winder - I think it would hold more yarn than my standard winder.

I love my current ball winder for unravelling! Not that I love unravelling, but if I started a project a million years ago and realize it is full of mistakes and that was why I never finished I find it very useful! Or if I made a square for the CAL / KAL and realize it was way wrong I get all brave and wind it up before I can change my mind! Since it is so fast I can never change my mind while unwinding it.
What made me think of getting a larger ball winder was I bought a bag of random yarn, when I went to use it it tangled immediately, but it was too large to put onto my current winder. Huge sloppy mess. Not sure how I am going to handle it all.
In the end, may just wait for Creativ Festival and hunt for one there. We have quite the list this year of items we are looking for at the Festival! Usually we go to the show with no clue why we are there! lol Just good clean inspirational fun usually

Your winder also looks like it is a larger one, the post looks longer than mine? Maybe it is the angle? It also looks almost exactly like mine. Think next time you have it out you would mind measuring the post? The bit the yarn winds onto.

[Shandeh]

The post on my winder is a little over 3.25 inches.
I measured the LENGTH, from base to tip.

[dogfoster]

I wish there was a foot operated row counter. If I mark it off with pencil, then I put work down, pick up pencil, so since I have stopped I get up and look out window, or go play with dogs, then sit down, pick up pencil, and forget if I have checked the row off so I have to count them all again anyway. Seems like it would be real easy to just remember to check it off right after I do it, but somehow I still forget. Even if I don't get up, I still am not reliable marking them off. If I could just tap something with my foot I might get less distracted...maybe. That is one nice thing about doing these CAL motifs, I don't have to mark anything off.