Acorn Knits Ep. 4 // Lykke Ball Winder & Swift Review (and how to assemble)

[@annas7715]

I worked a number of years in an LYS that offered free ball winding with purchase of hanked yarn. I’ve owned an upright Swedish wooden swift and various winders for over 25 years (most recent winder upgrade is a sturdy metal Stanwood). So suffice it to say I’ve wound a LOT of yarn on various swifts and winders, lol. Couple of points that I think will make winding yarn on your beautiful equipment go more smoothly. Clamping the winder to the table will definitely help. Or put the winder on a piece of grippy material at least as big as the winder base, such as the rubbery sort of shelf liner mesh or a silicone baking mat. Also, your swift and winder are not in the optimal winding positions, relative to each other. Swap their positions on the table. As you are winding with your right hand, the winder should be in front of you or slightly to your right on right side of the table (from your viewpoint) - with the crank on the right side and the guide loop on the end closest to the swift. That position will make turning the crank more ergonomic and comfortable. The swift should be clamped to the left of the winder, either on the same table surface or another similar height object a bit further away. With the equipment repositioned as I suggest, the yarn coming from the swift on your left will flow directly into winder’s guide (on the left end of the winder) instead flowing over the entire length of the winder, through the guide loop, then directed back to the winder ball core spindle. I noticed the way the yarn was feeding into the winder guide loop from farthest point from the swift and across the length of the winder base was putting more resistance than necessary on the yarn as it flowed into and out of the guide loop, which made cranking more difficult than necessary and the winder more prone to sliding around on the table. Also, when you put the hank of yarn on the swift, keep an eye out for hanks that have lost their evenly wound shape, the fibers really grip each other, or otherwise might need a bit of gentle “primping” and repositioning before commencing with the winding. Be sure the yarn end you start winding with is located on the outer side of the hank all the way around the hank, and not from the inner side, pressed between the swift and the rest of the hank of yarn. If the winding feels like there is a lot of resistance putting tension on the yarn, pause and see if the hank needs a bit more “primping” to free up the yarn from underneath the bulk of the yarn hank on the swift. I often wind my wool yarn twice to reduce the tension placed on the yarn during the first winding. The second time the yarn is pulled from the center of the wound cake placed in a deep bowl or other deep smooth container (that way the the yarn cake is contained if it wants to flip over and roll around while winding again). The second cake will be a bit bigger and more lofty feeling than the first tightly wound cake. Inelastic or slippery yarns such as linen, silks, some cottons, etc. may be better left in the original, more tightly wound cake to avoid the cake losing its form and coming apart. Adding a bit more distance between the swift and winder probably would help the yarn flow off the swift more easily, too. I wind yarn in various locations in my house and I don’t often put the winder and swift clamped onto the same small table surface because that would make them too close for efficient and comfortable winding. Hope these tips from a longtime knitter will help make the most of your beautiful new tools!

[@acornknits]

Anna, this is such an invaluable source of information! I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to write out such a detailed and comprehensive comment to share all the pearls of wisdom you've gained from decades of experience! I'll put into practice everything that you've described about placement, positioning and primping - I'll remember them as the three P's! Thank you again, all your wonderful advice will make sure that my ball winder and swift are given the treatment they deserve so they stay with me for many years to come.

[@slaugeri1344]

Great information Anna, thank you. I’m about to use my apparatus for the 1st time & really appreciate the tips❣️

[@JWard5773]

This is so helpful, thank you ❤

[@RC-pn8zu]

After watching more reviews than I can count, I ordered this one!

[@acornknits]

@@RC-pn8zu Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do. Three years later and it's still performing as perfectly as the first time I used it

[@FibreBound]

My old knit picks swift and winder are still going strong after about three years of regular use, but as soon as I have any issues, I’ll be looking for this set up too, it’s so beautiful! Thank you for sharing your first winding experience with your new beauties!

[@acornknits]

Wow, that's impressive! I hope they keep going strong for you but if the time comes that you need a replacement, I am a huge advocate for getting a Lykke ball winder and swift. Beautiful *and* practical 💞

[@susanarrighi]

Absolutely love your podcast, I also love the fact that you are based in Australia 😍

[@acornknits]

You're so sweet, thank you! 🦘🐨🌿

[@talesofaknitter]

Love the swift and winder. I have a birch-wood swift and an old plastic winder. I may need to buy a new winder soon after seeing how pretty the Lykke one is 😍. Thank you for sharing. Also, your cats are beautiful. I have two cats myself and fully understand the intense swift staring! Happy knitting.

[@acornknits]

You should definitely treat yourself to a new Lykke winder! 💞 Awwh thank you 😸 What are your cats' names?

[@talesofaknitter]

@@acornknits Luna and Lily. Luna is about to turn two next month. She's a Manx mix with a kinky tail and has a mackerel tabby coat. Lily is about to turn 8 months next month and she's a Munchkin with a calico coat. I love them so much, but the knitting struggle is ALL too real around them 🤣

[@acornknits]

@@talesofaknitter those names are so sweet! I've always thought Luna is such a beautiful name for a cat. They sound absolutely adorable and I bet Lily still has plenty of kitten energy (all the better for hunting yarn, right?) 😅

[@talesofaknitter]

@@acornknits Thank you. I named her after Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter 🤣 and OH so much kitten energy. I get such a laugh at watching Lily goof around. Luna is a good sport though and plays with Lily a good amount.

[@acornknits]

@@talesofaknitter ahh I love that! Luna Lovegood is easily the best character in the series 🥳 haha bless Luna's cotton socks for indulging Lily's kitten hyperactive goofiness 💞

[@livismith5007]

The ball winder and swift are so pretty! I luckily don’t have issues with my cat eating stuff, but that’s because he’s weird, never been into playing with anything. Your cats are too gorgeous

[@acornknits]

That's so funny, was he like that as a kitten as well? When it comes to yarn, one of my cats is an absolute fiend whereas her brother couldn't care less. He's much more interested in hunting flys 🤣

[@alip.9740]

I wonder if you didn't want to use another clamp could you use the grip material some use under rugs? Cut it to size so it's not visible. Or something similar. Love this winder! I have a mostly plastic kind you get off Amazon. But simply for the look I would love to get a beautiful wooden one. Loved the review!

[@acornknits]

You could definitely try! The clamp isn't the most elegant option but it does a fantastic job of keeping the ball winder stable and secure 💪 The wooden ones are so beautiful that they're *almost* to precious to use. I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the review- thank you so much! 😊💕

[@adrianaquintero7828]

I purchased this set a few months ago and have yet to try it. Thank you for the instructions, my product did not come with any clear instruction on how to assemble and use either.

[@acornknits]

Glad to hear this was helpful! It's a wonderful set, I've gotten so much use out of it and it's been well worth every cent 🥰

[@emiliacarrano3670]

Love your video ! Can you tell me how the timber wears and are you still happy with it?

[@acornknits]

Thank you! ✨ It's been more than a year and it still looks brand new (and if I'm honest, I haven't gone out of my way to look after it so it stays pristine). I use it on average once or twice a month. It's gotten a little squeaky after all the use but it comes with machine oil to solve that. I'd highly recommend this set, I couldn't be happier with the purchase 🥰

[@luna.knit-Jenni]

Could I ask where you got it from? I’m so glad I found another Aussie podcaster

[@acornknits]

Thanks Jenn, so happy to hear that! I purchased this from The Wool Room in Young. I just checked their website and they have this version available in the ball winder. They also have both the ball winder and swift available in mangowood!

[@ElloraWilson]

Loved the video, but how much $ was each item and where did you buy them? I'm in Sydney too

[@wahwah7973]

The winder is $100 and the swift is about $50 on their website

[@acornknits]

Sorry for my late reply! Did you end up finding a set to purchase? If not, I believe Yarn Trader still has both available 💖

[@juliedavies9211]

The winder should have came with a clamp to hold it in place that is what the grove in the middle is for.

[@acornknits]

You're absolutely right, I was so excited when I unpacked the winder that I completely overlooked the clamp at the bottom of the box 😂 I wasn't aware the groove in the middle is specifically designed for the clamp, thanks for sharing that! 😊💐

[@juliedavies9211]

@@acornknits I’m waiting for mine to come should be tomorrow. I ordered the rosewood.

[@acornknits]

@@juliedavies9211 Ohhh lovely! The rosewood is beautiful, excellent choice if I do say so myself 😉

[@hampuss884]

I'd place a sticky mat under the winder. 😊

[@acornknits]

Turns out that it came with a clamp to hold it down, I just didn't see it 😂 But a sticky mat would have been a smart hack!