Not so swift?

[gnomi]

I buy a lot of yarn that comes in already-formed center-pull balls (for some definitions thereof; I do find myself untangling yarn straight out of the ball a lot). But I've recently gotten more yarn that comes in skeins and needs to be no-longer-skeins before I can knit it up. Therefore, a poll:

[Poll #881546]

Comments

[mabfan.livejournal.com]

Where's my sweater? And my nice new watch? :-)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Your sweater's currently on needles. It's the yarn for the sweater that inspired this poll. :-)

I cannot knit you a watch, alas.

[xochitl42.livejournal.com]

But you can knit him a watchband.

(snicker!)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

True enough.

Though knitting a bass player may prove difficult. :-)

[byrne.livejournal.com]

The only reason I said metal over wood is because of the cost. I long for a wooden swift.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Mm, yeah. I'm looking at both, pricewise. I think in the long run, I'd prefer to spend the money for the wood one, but I'm on the fence.

[kuroshii.livejournal.com]

i don't knit, so i must ask: what is a swift? i can figure out what a ball-winder is. ;)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

This (http://www.joann.com/catalog.jhtml?CATID=82328&PRODID=158731&source=search) is a swift. It holds the yarn taut so it can be wound more easily.

(My current method is to drape the yarn over the back of a chair. It's not nearly as efficient.)

[kuroshii.livejournal.com]

ah! i've seen those too. and now i know their name! :)

(i'm more of a cross-stitch kinda gal, m'self)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Have you seen Subversive Cross Stitch (http://subversivecrossstitch.com/)?

[kuroshii.livejournal.com]

no, i hadn't! cussin' in cross stitch isn't my thing, but they've got other fun stuff. ::bookmarks site:: :)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

A coworker gave me that link, even though I don't cross stitch.

I keep saying that one of these days I'll learn.

[kuroshii.livejournal.com]

the stitching itself is super easy, it's the counting part that's "hard."

[530nm330hz.livejournal.com]

Heather has these and they are amazing. (Of course, it means I spend far less time than I used to sitting with her on the couch, getting to touch her yummy yarn as I hold it taut between my two hands, waiting for her to roll it up....)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Yeah... a lot of my knitting friends have them and adore them. Though I'm sorry to hear you're getting less opportunity to fondle yarn due to the introduction of the tools into the house.

[introverte.livejournal.com]

I had no idea you enjoyed it so much. You're welcome to fondle my yarn anytime, baby. ;-)

[seborn.livejournal.com]

Metal vs. wood? I'd be more concerned about whether you want a European, American, Australian, or common chimney swift. Airspeed may vary.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I think the wooden one would fly better than the metal. :-)

[mamadeb.livejournal.com]

I have a nostepinne which I love, but if you're winding many hanks at one go, I can see wanting a ball winder and swift.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I just got 8 skeins of Ultra Alpaca for a sweater for mabfan. So I'll be doing a lot of winding for this project. And I've been pondering this question for a while.

Though the nostepinne looks cool, too.

[introverte.livejournal.com]

I got mine as a package deal from Webs for $60. You can come use them anytime, if you decide not to buy.

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Oh, cool. I didn't think of Webs, actually.

(silly me)

I just went and looked, and they've got the combo in metal for $65 and the wood for $90. I found the wood swift cheaper elsewhere, so I'm going that route, I think, but I'm still trying to figure out the winder. I may order it from Webs.

Thanks for the tip.

And thanks for the offer to use your set. If I didn't think I'd be wanting to wind yarn at odd times, I'd definitely take you up on it.

[bbennett.livejournal.com]

I think anything that makes knitting a more enjoyable experience is worth the expense (a rationale I used when I spent $60 on cashmere-blend yarn for a scarf for myself).

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Heee! The yarn that prompted this whole thing is a 50/50 Alpaca/Wool blend. It's so, so soft.

[doeeyedbunny.livejournal.com]

You don't need a swift - you've got a husband ;)

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

Well, yes. But sometimes he wants to do something other than be a yarn holder. :-)

[doeeyedbunny.livejournal.com]

Well, if you're knitting something for him, he should help :P
I used to hold the skein with my feet, cause I had neither husband nor swift.

[sydmcginley.livejournal.com]

I've been using the back of a chair...but the evil kitten clan help too much.
BTW, Nomi -- Max, my character you're helping me with, is a knitter!

[gnomi.livejournal.com]

I'm familiar with the evil kitten clan and their less-than-helpful ways. :-)

Ooh, Max is a knitter? That's so cool.