Troubleshooting my KnitPicks Ball Winder

Ravelry has saved the day for me. Yesterday I broke out my new KnitPicks ball winder and a hank of Gloss, and I had some difficulties. Fortunately, this Ravelry thread set me straight. I thought I'd share my new knowledge for the rest of the world.


The first troubling thing was the spare part in my hand. I had the whole thing assembled, but I still didn't know what this part was for. However, the Ravelry thread pointed me to this video:


It turns out the spare part is a "handle" you can put on the bottom of the ball winder. I'd rather have it clamped to something, but considering how messy this part of my apartment is, I'll probably need it at some point.


I also, this kept happening. The yarn kept winding around the base. The problem was the position of the metal guide. (Check out where the yarn was hitting the base.)

It turns out the yarn guide moves.


Of course I'd finished winding the yarn before I figured that out.

Yarn Pr0n: KnitPicks

I got my KnitPicks order on Monday. At the time I was distracted by the thing with the flies, so I'm just now getting around to posting pictures.


I was really excited when I found the note in my mailbox that I had a package. I waited in the hallway where I was hardly acknowledged. I could see the package with the KnitPicks tape on it sitting there. I contemplated just taking it. I finally got someone's attention. (The management is not known for customer service.)


Here's the big reveal...


...and all the goodies inside.


The ball winder came in a nifty box. I'm going to find a good use for this.


I'll probably put it together this weekend. I'll be winding some yarn soon.


I got color cards for all the yarns I'm considering, so I can choose the perfect color for Decimal. I was psyched because they include all the new spring colors.


I also got my first set of Harmony dpns. I can't wait to use them. I was pleasantly surprised at how heavy and hard the wood was.

(Wow. That sentence sounds bad out of context.)


Finally, here is the yarn itself. On the far left there's is a skein of Shadow in "Vineyard Heather." I got that so I can have some lace weight on hand. The rest are candidates for Decimal. From left to right, the other yarns are Gloss in "Cosmos", Cotlin in "Key Lime", Shine Sport in "Grass" and Merino Style in "Hollyberry."

I'm already swatching the Merino Style. I'll let you know how it goes.

Labor Day Party at The Knitting Nest

It's time to party!

Last Saturday there was a Labor Day Ravelry Party at The Knitting Nest. I'm just now getting around to posting.


The first thing I did when I got there was wind some yarn. They have a new ball winder, and it feels good. Nice and smooth.


After I wound some yarn, I wound some more yarn. Stacy has a yarn meter set up, and I wanted to see how much yardage was left of my handspun after knitting my hat.


There are 141 feet, or 47 yards, of handspun left.

The Knitting Nest had more yarn and fiber from Stephanie and some Queensland Collection Rustic Tweed. But this is what I was the most excited about.


Malabrigo Chunky! I love this yarn.


I had to spread out all the colors to help me decide. If I remember correctly, the colors are (left to right) Brillante, Emerald Blue, Verdes, Little Lovely, Violetas and Bobby Blue. I ended up getting two skeins of Brillante and two skeins of Verdes.

You can see all my pictures from the party on Flickr.