How to Fix a KnitPicks Yarn Winder that has Stopped Making Pretty Cakes (Donuts instead)

It's quick and easy to fix your yarn winder. The first time this happened to me I was so confused! What was wrong with my machine? It spins, but suddenly the yarn cakes look more like yarn donuts. And these donuts TANGLE so badly!
I have had my machine for about 2 years and this is only the 2nd time it has happened. Since I am in the business of making tutorial videos I figured it might be helpful!
Normally my videos show crochet! But yarn is an important part of crochet!
Find all my links and social media accounts: ashleeslint.com/link-in-bio
#knitpicks #yarnwinder #fixyarnwinder #yarncake #notworking #yarndonut #brokenyarnwinder #icanfixit #repair

[@sophiewhite8623]

Thank you!!! I was at my breaking point with the yarn doughnuts. May all your yarn be untangled and none of your stitches dropped.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

❤️🤩 I love that as a blessing, can I use that?

[@Dewdropsandfrogs]

This video saved me before a big project so I'll add- May you always win yarn chicken and always find the same dye lot

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣😍 I love that! Thank you ❤️

[@coachhoneycutt]

You are a lifesaver. Thank you so much for figuring this out, bravely opening up your winder and fixing it, and especially for sharing with all of us!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I am so glad it has helped so many!

[@debsievert4766]

Hey. I’m 70 years old. My knit picks winder is about 20 years old. I almost got the hammer out today…. But finally found your video. As I’m watching it…. Yarn hank #3 is behaving on its own! But I now am armed with more information regarding what to do. Thank you!!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Knowledge is power! 😍

[@debsievert4766]

@@AshleeBrotzellDesigns….. oh, you said it!!!

[@stefjordan]

Having one of those "thank god for KZbin" days! Thanks for being a great person and making this video 😆

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣 Glad I could help!!

[@mypointofview4544]

Omg this worked!! I thought I was doing something wrong! You’re a life saver!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳🥳

[@ingaheinbokel9994]

Thank you so much for your video! This saved my day as I did not know what the problem was - it was so frustrating starting several times and always ending up with this „donut“. Now I know how to fix it and the Knitpicks yarnwinder works does its job again.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

That's great to hear! No more donuts 🤞😊

[@_maxgray]

OH MY GOSH THANK YOU. I couldn't understand why this happened, but your fix was perfect. So so happy I thought I was going to have to buy a new winder because I kept getting tangled donuts that just made things worse!

[@karenrubinstein]

THANK YOU!!! If I could write that a million times, I would. You just saved me $$$ on a new ball winder.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣🤩❤️ Glad I could help!!

[@maribellelebre6809]

OMG! Thank you thank you thank you! I was literally hunting for a replacement online and then it hit me to do a search under yarn winder repair. There you were. I have the same winder and this was the fix! SO VERY GRATEFUL ❤❤❤❤❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Perfect! I am glad I could save you some money!

[@roughnek201]

Thank you so much for posting this video to help me and my wife with our yarn winder. You are a life saver!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad to help!

[@DapperDominoes]

This video was a LIFESAVER totally recommend

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤩 I am so glad it helped you!

[@samanthatate8792]

SO HELPFUL! I was worried I’d have to get a new one, nope! Easy fix! Thank you! 🎉

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

It's easy once you know it ❤️

[@amandaross3309]

Thank you so much for your video! Repair is so much better than replacing and you helped me continue to use my winder for more years to come!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳 I agree, it's much better to repair!

[@TaylorLy-ux8su]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I feel like an absolute BEAST for being able to fix my little winder. I also have the Knit Picks one, and this was the EXACT problem I was having. Thank you!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳 💪 Knowledge is power! ❤️

[@Kohl1D4Life]

Thanks for the help! I took my Ballwinder apart as shown, the little stationary gear was all gummed up with yarn trimmings and lint. I cleaned it up and it works great now!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Woohoo! And now you can get back to the fun stuff!

[@rockzyparks3873]

Thank you so much for this video, I just got a new winder and it wasnt spinning right and your video was the first one that popped up! Much appreciated! 💚

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad it helped! I'm still stunned with how popular it got!

[@hlf2381]

You're a genious!!! I was so frustrated, and this is exactly what was wrong

[@kaoriiga1941]

THANK YOU!! I came from knit pick's product page since someone was kind enough to mention your video in the review!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😳😳 oh my goodness! That's a scary place for me to be 😅 I am glad to help so many people though!

[@reneehebert6986]

Thank you so much! I had no idea what I was doing wrong. This is such a simple fix that I would have never thought of myself.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤩 I'm so glad it helped!

[@Tish_Ann77]

You are my hero! I've been going crazy trying to figure out why mine stopped working. Thank you so much!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Super Ashlee to the rescue! 🤩

[@elb309]

THANK YOU so so so so so so much! Trying to wind yarn this morning and my winder was doing exactly this. Quick and easy fix with your video.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳🥳 it is so easy IF you know what to do!! ❤️ I am glad you can get back to it!

[@510suess]

Thank you so much for this! It’s the first thing that came up when I googled for help and it was exactly my issue! Thanks again

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Woohoo! It's kind of weird the issue comes up so often but I'm glad so many people have been able to fix their machines!

[@user-bd7cv1dr9r]

Thank you! Was going to trash it but you gave such easy steps to open and reset the gears! Working great now! Thanks again!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Yay! Saving the planet and your wallet! 🤩

[@MadameCobb]

You’re an absolute doll for making this video. I searched for answers not expecting to find anything, but your video has saved my winder! And I had suspected my kiddo was the culprit 😂

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad I could help! The winder is just so much fun to play with though! 😅 my kids still like to spin it but they try to be gentle now (I have had to fix my machine 3x)

[@aya.sannnn]

i have a yarn winder i just recently bought and it's a different brand than the one you took apart but i had the same problem with the tangled yarn donuts until i found this video! i didn't have to take off any screws to access the gears of the yarn winder i have but i had the same issue of the gears not being properly put together 😭 thank you so much for posting this you're a life saver

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

That's excellent to know that it's helpful with other brands too! ❤️❤️

[@StephanieTX]

I know this was posted a year ago, but I am so thankful that you made this video. I was able to fix my yarn winder instead of throwing it away and buying another one thank you thank you thank you.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so glad that I was able to save you some cash and keep some plastic out of the garbage ❤️❤️

[@witchywoman4139]

I don't even have my KnitPicks winder yet (it's on order), but I'm so glad I stumbled on your vid! I'm bookmarking it in case my new winder gives me any troubles; this could save me the hassle of a return/replacement. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

How very proactive of you!! I hope your machine won't give you trouble, but I'm glad that you'll know what to try first if it's not working well!

[@dusty3225]

Thanks I needed this video....mine was doing that wonky winding! Your a money saver!!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad I could help! ❤️

[@debbiedennie255]

Thank you so much for putting this video out 😊💝

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I had no idea it was such a needed video! Happy accident!

[@Anonymous-wg9lk]

This was so helpful! Thank you!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

So glad to help!!

[@sturkiestercreations]

Thank you so much for this fix it yourself video! I ordered one and it's not an expensive one. Now I'll know what to do if this happens to mine.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I hope yours doesn't break, but if it does you'll know what to do!

[@olivial4176]

thank you SO MUCH!!!!! this is amazing!!!! can’t believe I found a video explaining the exact problem I have with the exact same winder!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so sad that so many people have this problem 😬😅 but I am glad I could help!

[@sallythibodeaux7992]

Great video! Thanks so much 😊

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Happy to help!

[@user-ug8iz1hu9c]

OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was about to throw away my winder out of frustration. You saved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Saving the planet, one winder at a time 🤣🤩

[@teresacort4551]

Hello, I am a first time ball wind user 🎉 My sister gifted me one Sealed! thrilled to receive it Opened it got it all set up excited…..my ball of yarn came out as a donut. 🤔 Receipt was thrown away ☹️ Now I can fix it 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you so much

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

So much excitement for such a let down! I am so glad you were able to get it fixed ❤️

[@user-rt2wp6rg5f]

Oh my god thank you for this I’m a broke high schooler and I loved my yarn winder and I was so sad when it broke but now its all fixed

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳🥳 I am so glad you got it fixed!

[@teresazacker781]

Great work showing how to fix the winder this happened to me on the weekend

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

❤️

[@ssoozee]

Thank you! This just started happening to me. I’ll fix my winder tomorrow!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Tomorrow will be a good day! :)

[@Momcat6]

This is SO helpful, thank you! I dropped mine on its head and it started making donuts. Back to cakes!♥

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so glad your machine didn't break! ❤️

[@animarl6]

WOW! You are the best! You saved me.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Superhero Ashlee, to the rescue!

[@inthetrap6210]

Worked great! Thanks so much!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Yay!! 🥳🥳

[@ryansmith2642]

Life saver! Thank you!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad it helped!

[@ZeallandJanedoze]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!!! You are a lifesaver!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳🤩❤️

[@Toaster_Oven_Torties]

I feel the same, mine had a bunch of the yarn fuzz stuck with the grease. Thank you so much for making this video it was so helpful! I thought I was gonna have to buy a whole new one.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad it helped!

[@kiarashooks444]

BRILLIANT!!! thank you so so so so much for this video. :) fixed mine

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Yay!! Now you can get back to the fun stuff!

[@houseofnami5696]

thank you so much, this was so helpful❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad to hear that!

[@zorbie95]

Great video! Was able to fix it for my wife 🎉 she got it new making donuts so she’s ecstatic about it working now

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Fantastic!! It's easy when you know what to do!

[@mcklywel49]

You saved another life today. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO MUCH

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😍 just call me Superhero Ashlee! 🤣

[@ashleejohnson8617]

Thank u so much! Fixed my problem!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Woohoo! Perfect!

[@michelleleetch9643]

Thank you for saving me from buying a new one!! I was so disappointed when I tried to wind all of my new yarn, but it's working again!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳 great to hear! Glad I could help!

[@user-tn8tk3ig6v]

Merci, c'était bien mon problème et vos explications étaient parfaites et ainsi je peux poursuivre mon travail grâce à vous. Encore une fois merci.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Je suis tellement contente que cela ait aidé !

[@OnyxWaterIvyBound]

That worked! Thank you!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳 yay!! Glad it helped!

[@Fallenangel69_69]

You are a life saver. I was already in hot water for breaking my sisters other winder lol.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😅 don't break any more! Now you can be the fixer!

[@brookerobb6970]

Thank you for saving my sanity while I’m winding some very nice yarn I got and was getting soooo frustrated by the donut tangles I was getting

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

The first time I got a donut I was so confused! It was a relief to know it was the machine and not just me 🤣

[@mkeller18]

This was exactly what I needed today!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so glad to hear that! 💓

[@neverstoplearning2]

Thank you! That worked!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳glad to hear it!

[@KiraValestraza]

Lifesaver!! Thought I was going crazy or that my new skein of yarn was cursed haha

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣 it's not you!

[@amelia13131]

you're a lifesaver!!!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳 I am so glad it helped you!

[@wilmaakastitchedbyjean3679]

Thank you so much!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're welcome! 🥰

[@elizabethb.1346]

thank you so much!! I am halfway through a huuuuge yarn haul, and can't imagine what i'd do if I had to hand roll the rest of this mess!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I don't think I could go back to hand rolling!

[@robynwhite9226]

Thanks for sharing

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so glad it's helped so many!

[@jenreeves7684]

That is awesome! Thanks!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're most welcome!

[@novabench3339]

Thank you so much. ❤😊❤😊

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥰😍

[@LRCole-nj5oe]

Greetings from Texas! I thought I had to buy another yarn winder. But thank goodness you posted this video which is now archived in my playlist! I wonder why they don't mention this in the instructions? Hmmm. Lol❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Maybe they would rather you buy a new one 🤔 😅

[@linaromano7481]

Thank you!!! So quick and helpful!! Now I can back to winding lol

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

YES!! I'm so glad it worked (and quickly!)

[@Sara-iu1cr]

Thank you so much ❤❤❤❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😍❤️🥳

[@crypticTmesis]

omg thank you, I dropped it and ever since it was doing the donut like you said. I was so confused

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

A drop can easily bump those gears out of place. I hope the fix was almost as easy ♥️

[@annmd1735]

Thank you!! saved me some dollars!! well I spent too much on a beautiful wood spinner and swift on Etsy... but because e I can't trouble shoot that one I'm back to my KP, thanks again!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Just doing my part 🤣♥️

[@denubug]

Thank you!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're most welcome!

[@tiffyjo]

THANK YOU!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're welcome! 😎

[@TheMoriyake]

Oh my god!!! I can't thank you enough!!!!!! ❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🎉🤩 you're most welcome!

[@clairestephenson9514]

That was exactly what was wrong, thanks for the help! 🌟

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Yay!! Now you can get back to more yarn fun!

[@butterfly2228]

Thank you so much, my son, (not a child) likes to wind it around to annoy me when he's bored. Really appreciate this video

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Not a child 🤣🤣

[@FaeroraRave]

my gods this helped so much life saver on this one!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad to help!

[@successstar6683]

Thank you ❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Your very welcome!

[@cathystafford819]

Thank you!!!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're most welcome ❤️

[@rebeccamountain6905]

Thank you!!! ❤❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥰 Happy to help!

[@Apollo9-4736]

Thank you so much as soon as you said a problem with the gears I immediately saw it h That you

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm so glad it helped!

[@nikkyb]

Thank you thank you thank you!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You are most welcome!! ❤️

[@ebonieguzman5932]

Omg i thought i ruined my winder when it fell. This video is perfect!!! I couldt. Get the bottom screw off, but i amanged to still get it fixed. Thank you 💕

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh that would have been a frustrating moment! I'm glad we made it end on a better note ❤️

[@reveniemus]

I'm having trouble getting the bottom screw off mine as well. What did you do to get yours fixed??

[@reveniemus]

jk a little extra force and I got it fixed!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad you managed to strong-arm it!

[@RetroMinnie87]

Thank you! My ball winder is brand new and the first cake I tried to wind turned out like this. I’m so glad it’s fixable.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh that would have been such a disappointment! Luckily it is an easy fix!

[@RetroMinnie87]

Well, I tried and the screw on the bottom just keeps spinning. It will not loosen and come off. Guess I’ll be calling customer service!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

@@RetroMinnie87 oh darn! I hope they help!

[@the_phuckery_is_real7252]

So glad to see this because i just lost about 5 yards of $$$ hand dyed silk/merino off of my hank. I thought I was doing something wrong because it was a bunch of tangled yarn barf in fingering weight. I felt like an idiot. So happy I'm not the only one who pulled this out of the box and it wasn't right on the first use!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

@@the_phuckery_is_real7252 it's disappointing that they don't always work from the box - seems like they should do something about that. But at least the fix is relatively easy!

[@user-yr1uc5uy1u]

Thank you so much 😭

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

You're welcome! I hope you can get back to making cakes!

[@aprilroberts7131]

Woooo hooo! Thank you!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Just doing my part to save our yarn ❤️🤣

[@Cattensumakesthings]

Thank you! I just got a yarn winder, the other day, and I thought I was doing something wrong. I will try this and see if it fixes the doughnut making mess.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I hope your machine can be fixed!

[@Cattensumakesthings]

@@AshleeBrotzellDesigns thanks. Sadly, it can not, the screws are not accessible. So I am just going to have to send it back, and buy another one. I'll look at getting this brand you have in this video since it has open screws.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh, that's disappointing.

[@CrysTvsky]

Thank you!! My winder fell a couple days ago and when I used it just now, it was donuting. I know the knitpicks winder isn't expensive, it's still my baby. I would have been sad to replace it. Mine's almost 7 years old.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

It's always better when we can just do an easy fix!

[@savannahnewton9341]

Thank you so much! I was so confused why it just wasn’t working anymore 😭😭😭😭

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

It definitely surprised me the first time it happened too!

[@erinladue9237]

Thanks for the post. I fixed mine. PS. Phillips head has the cross. Flat head is the straight screwdriver.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I'm glad to hear you got it fixed! I will learn the names of everything someday 🤣

[@chloebee80085]

THANK YOU SOOOOOOO MUCHHHHHHHHH. Mental breakdown no more.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣❤️❤️ glad I could help!

[@samhudock1437]

you literally saved my life just now you have no idea hahaha

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🥳🥳 glad I could help!!

[@bernadetebittar2049]

ola minha querida, estava aqui quase jogando fora minha maquina de enrolar fios, só conseguia enrolar de um lado, gracas ao seu video conseguir arrumar a minha, esta funcionando perfeitamente, gratidão.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Fico feliz por ter ajudado!

[@JRo605]

Thx. Have this winder and love it. Did you know all the screw heads are in your driver, just pop out flat head and put in Philips!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😅 Yes it is a screwdriver with lots of options but the philips one seemed the wrong dimensions and slipped too many times so I ignore it now.

[@jenhatton984]

you literally saved me like $30. I thought I was going to need to buy a new one 🙌

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad I could help! 🥳 Feel free to spend your savings on my crochet patterns 🤣 just teasing

[@jenhatton984]

@@AshleeBrotzellDesigns I don't usually crochet, but I will seriously consider that 😄

[@senabaydar]

You saved my lifee 😂❤

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

🤣🤣 perfect! ❤️

[@aprilguerrero809]

Thank you so much! You saved me from buying a new one

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Glad I could help!

[@stephaniewilliams8687]

Thank you! I thought it was something I did!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

It's not you ❤️

[@stephaniewilliams8687]

@@AshleeBrotzellDesigns your fix worked! ☺️

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Woohoo! Now you can get back to the fun stuff!

[@RileeThickening]

For me it isn’t working and I’m so sad. I just got it and it was making “donuts”. I also got one off of Amazon and even that isn’t working

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh no! 2 defective machines?! 😖

[@kristinathomas9669]

Thank you!!! I thought I was doing something wrong!

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

The first time it happened to me, I thought it was me doing something wrong too! ❤️

[@briannareads21]

Omg this video is so helpful! Unfortunately my screws will not come out😭

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh no!! More elbow grease required?

[@marthastone415]

Thank you for this! Maybe I should have my 18 year old (who has been playing with my winder) fix it. 😂

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

😅 I vote yes! For skill-building 🤣🥰

[@NightBorne2]

Hello! I was wondering if you ever had a cracking problem? I was winding a big ball of premier puzzle yarn and near the end when it got heavy I heard a Crack sound (which had happened I few time before) but when I took the yarn off everything seemed to be fine and it still makes cakes and seems to work fine so I don't know what happened and it worried me cause I just bought it

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh dear! That would worry me too. The only time I have heard a cracking sound was when I tightened the machine to a cheap table made of particle board and cracked the actual table 😅😳

[@MC-kj8uy]

First, thank you for posting this. But I do wonder why the KnitPicks winders have this problem. I had a different winder for many years and never had a single problem with it. I got rid of it before a move because I'd learned how to wind by hand and didn't need it anymore. Now though I am dealing with larger quantities of yarn and it's talking a long time, so I decided it would be good to get another winder. I deliberately went with a KnitPicks because of the brand; there were a lot to choose from but I thought this brand would be good quality. I hadn't even used it that much before it started making "donuts" like the one you have. I thought about taking it apart but couldn't get the bottom screw out; now I see why. (And why did they make the screw backwards? That's just weird.) Then it occurred to me to look for a video and what do I find? More than one video talking about problems with KnitPicks yarn winders and how to fix them. So, this is common enough for people to post videos about it. That does not give me confidence in KnitPicks quality. Your instructions were clear so I'm hoping I can fix my winder but if it starts making donuts again - well, I'll just say I won't keep fixing it. KnitPicks really needs to deal with this.

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

I have the same questions! When I went to buy a winder, this was literally the only option (and I grabbed the last box on the shelf!). I don't know enough about gears to know whether this is just a normal thing that gears do or if this is a poor design.

[@MC-kj8uy]

UPDATE: I couldn't get that bottom screw off. I tried several different screwdrivers, both Phillips (which started to strip the head) and straight, and spraying the area with WD40. It wouldn't move, in either direction (the other screw goes the usual way so I thought the bottom one might as well, even though yours didn't). I did, after several attempts, manage to get the tube thing and the other screw off, but the bottom screw holds the large wheel in place; if the screw didn't come off the wheel wouldn't either. The only thing I could try was using a long thin screwdriver to manually move the little gear, hoping I could get the large wheel to slip back into place. That didn't work. The whole thing is now in the trash, and I will not replace it with something from KnitPicks. (I think I heard somewhere that they will send a replacement; I don't want another one like this.)

[@AshleeBrotzellDesigns]

Oh no! That sounds like a terrible evening activity. 😕