Having a yarn swift is maybe not essential to having a happy life as a knitter, but if you buy a lot of yarn in hanks that need to be wound into balls before you can knit with them, having one can certainly save you some time and aggravation.
I love mine, which I have had for years and leave open, clamped to the side of my desk, pretty much all the time.
Admittedly this gadget is a bit of a splurge, but blogger Measured and Slow has a great idea for how to make your own yarn swift from things you might have lying around the house or be able to find at a thrift store.
The base is a lazy Susan, with an expandable coat rack on top to hold the yarn. Such a smart idea! Using some supplies she already had and thrifting others, this project ended up cost $14.
Have you ever made your own knitting supplies or do you have a tip for making knitting easier? I'd love to hear it!
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