Holiday Gift Ideas: Gadgets

Knitting Yarn Ball Winder 

Transform hanks or skeins into compact center-pull balls that sit nicely while you knit. As with our Options needles, Knit Picks interviewed knitters to find out what they would like best in a ball winder—what Knit Picks found is that everyone is different. Some knitters prefer to hold their ball winder while some prefer to clamp it to a table, so Knit Picks created a ball winder that could do both. Use the clamp for tables or connect the ergonomic handle to use when you want to hold it. Best when used in tandem with a Yarn Swift. Note: The metal yarn guide arm comes folded against the ball winder for shipping. The guide arm needs to be moved and positioned opposite the winding handle for correct operation.

$24.97 

Knitting Yarn Wood Swift 

Knit Picks has spent the past several months scouring the world and found a small Italian manufacturer to make the Yarn Swift more affordable. The swifts are made from Italian grown beech hardwood and last a lifetime! Hold your hanks on the swift while you wind them into balls. Clamp onto table or counter tops. Easy loading is possible if you start with the umbrella in the down position. Put the open loop of the hank over the swift and pull it lightly so the far side of the hank is against the centre of the umbrella section and you are holding the hank out perpendicular to the swift. Then, use your free hand to slide up the umbrella clamp, opening the umbrella to the circumference of the hank. Secure the clamp in place and wind away. Measures approx. 26?" in diameter (68" circumference) and 26" tall when open.
$74.97

Knit Picks Interlocking Foam Blocking Mats 

Forget those cumbersome folding boards or random towels lying around the house. These foam rubber mats fit together like puzzle pieces to make the size and shape you need. Contains nine 12" squares, 3/8" thick.
$24.97

Knitter's Pride Foam Blocking Mats
Pack of 9 pieces (3 blue, 3 pink, 3 green), each 1 foot x 1 foot, comes in a clear vinyl case. 
$39.97

Knit Picks Lace Blocking Wires 

Simply slip the wire through the edges of your lace project and place pins along the inside of the wires to hold them in place while the lace dries. If you have scalloped edges you will want to slip the wire through the outer edges of your scallops to emphasize them. Follow the same rules as pin or string blocking by measuring the radius of your finished piece as you adjust the wires. Set comes with 15 (32 1/2" long) straight wires (est. 15 gauge), 20 nickel-plated T-pins and blocking instructions. All wires are stainless steel and rust proof. The first time you use your blocking wires, wipe them with a soft cloth to remove manufacturing residue.

$24.97

Royal Ball Winder 

For the serious knitter, a ball winder is indispensable! Once you have one you won't know how you lived without it. The Royal winder is a great quality gadget that runs beautifully and smoothly!

$69.95

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com