MaryE.

Has anyone tried this gadget called a yarn unwinder?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yarn-Wool-Winder-Double-UNWINDER-No-More-Ball-Rolling-/170701367637?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27be982955
I'm not sure that the first place I spotted it was on eBay, but it may have been.
For those of us who DON'T hate acrylics, I love this idea. I wonder if a paper towel holder, the kind that fits on a base and holds a roll upright might also work. I have one that is a dowl that I intend to try. If it works, I'll post the photo. To me, this looks like the niftiest little gadget for holding large skeins of yarn that I've seen.

Dreamweaver

This is just a large scale version of a spinning accessory called a Lazy Kate. It is very useful. Your idea is sound but the dowel may be a little thick for getting into center of skein.

This would be so easy to make out of PVC (the picture looks like a homemade deal) and connectors. I would drill holes and use a small metal rod. One end could be bent at 90 degrees and the other left long enough to need no stopper or just put a knitting needle protector on end. (Not only that - cat would be entertained but unable to steal the yarn!) Good find!

MaryE.

Dreamweaver, you are absolutely correct, the dowel is too large a diameter to fit into the skein. I immediately ran upstairs and brought it down to try. I knew the one in my kitchen would be but hoped another one I have would work but no joy.
The unwinder in the picture definitelylooks home made and could easily be reproduced.
Unfortunately, it won't entertain my cat. He is unintertainable. He is supremely happy only when he can snuggle (pretty active snuggling) with either a human or our dog. He was grown when we got him 6 years ago but didn't play, even then. I have a collection of unused cat toys that I keep in case he ever reaches his second "childhood."
I'm going to have to Google Lazy Kate to see exactly what it is.

p.s. I just found several Lazy Kates listed on eBay. There is one I like with 3 dowels for yarn. I like the appearance better than the yarn unwinder. It's a little more expensive but it's nicer looking and holds at least 3 skeins of yarn. I just wrote to the seller to ask if the diameter of 6- or 7-ounce skeins will fit. I just happened to have a 7-ounce skein of Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn handy.

pugmom5

I use a cheap paper towel holder from the dollar store...it works great with skeins like this, or with balled yarn.

MaryE.

Great info Pugmom, I'll check there today or tomorrow. I just looked for Lazy Kate's as suggested by Dreamweaver and they are a little more than dollar store prices but several will hold 3 skeins, maybe. I'll have to wait for a reply from the seller before I find out if they fit larger skeins of yarn. In the meanwhile, I'll see what I can find at the dollar store. I think the unwinder is a great idea and I hope the seller has some success with his product.
I just bought an inexpensive yarn swift on eBay and can hardly wait to try it out. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-72-Maple-Expandable-Base-Yarn-Swift-Skeinwinder-/280742168545?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item415d8987e1
I don't plan on getting a ball winder yet, just hand wind. I use a lot more skeins than hanks so an unwinder/Lazy Kate/paper-towel holder will see a lot more use.

Phoenix (a regular here)

I love this idea!....maybe one of those really thin dowels you can get at Walmart and drill a hole in a piece of wood and glue the dowel in...I'm all for home-made!!!...LOL

yarnuser

[quote=MaryEp.s. I just found several Lazy Kates listed on eBay. There is one I like with 3 dowels for yarn. I like the appearance better than the yarn unwinder. It's a little more expensive but it's nicer looking and holds at least 3 skeins of yarn. I just wrote to the seller to ask if the diameter of 6- or 7-ounce skeins will fit. I just happened to have a 7-ounce skein of Hobby Lobby I Love this Yarn handy.[/quote]

The Lazy Kates on eBay do not include the bobbins (some bobbins cost $18 each). Make sure you read the fine print.

MaryE.

I'm afraid I don't understand why you think I need a bobbin. If I used a bobbin, it would defeat the purpose of how I want to use the Kate. I want to slip the dowel/rod through the center of a prewound skein of yarn. If I were to use a bobbin, I'd have to unwind the skein onto the bobbin and then unwind the bobbin as I used the yarn.
Perhaps you misunderstood how I intend to use the Kate. If you look at the "unwinder" link in the initial post, it shows exactly the use I'd like to make of the Kate and does not include a bobbin.

MaryE.

I just heard back from the seller of the Kate on eBay and it unfortunately won't work with large skeinse of yarn because it is too narrow and the distance between the dowels/rods isn't large enough:
The distance is 7 inches between the uprights and 4 inches between the rods. The whole unit is 15.5 inches tall
So, it's off to the dollar store for a paper towel holder or Hobby Lobby and Ace Hardware to buy parts.

jacie

I have to laugh!! If anyone could see my craft room, they'd pass out!! I just use an old coffee can to hold my skein of yarn. Am I a cheapskate? Probably! I have coffeecans all over the room, holding projects I haven't finished.

MaryE.

My craft room doesn't have room to work in, it's a stash storage room. My other craft room is my sewing room/bedroom and I feel like I'm exiled from the rest of the house when I'm there. I knit in my living room, which is why I'd rather have something beside a coffee can or the pitcher I'm using now. Plus, something designed like the Kate would hold multiple skeins. I know that a lot of people use 2-liter soda bottle but I dont drink sodas and they don't do much for me either. A multi-skein yarn holder with a relatively small foot print is what I'd like and this is the closest thing that I've seen that I think is workable for me.

Della

How about some of those straight knit needles we don't use anymore? Could put a cork or stitch holder stopper on end?.,...Della

Edith M

I personally like oatmeal boxes. I even covered some with left over contact paper. I use a paper punch to make a hole in the lid for the yarn to feed through. No more yarn balls running under the couch and/or picking up rug detritus. Great when using more than one color or making two of something at the same time ( Mittens or sleeves). Edith

Phoenix (a regular here)

That's a good idea!...you could glue the cork to a block of wood or something else relatively heavy then stick the needle in it...cool!!!

Della

How about some of those straight knit needles we don't use anymore? Could put a cork or stitch holder stopper on end?.,...Della[/quote]


That's a good idea!...you could glue the cork to a block of wood or something else relatively heavy then stick the needle in it...cool!!![/quote]

But if you glued something on it would not be able to remove from frame to poke thru middle of yarn then return to frame so it would unwind. It would have to have one end removable, so the cork or needle-stitch-holder. suggestion....Della