The Best Ball Winders for Every Budget

Winding yarn from skeins into cakes (“cake” being the term for yarn that has been wound using a ball winder) is an important step in working with many brands of yarn.

If you are new to using your own ball winder, you might be wondering if all ball winders are created equal. The easy answer is no, they are definitely not.

When deciding on which ball winder to purchase, it is important to consider three things:

Ball winders come in a very wide range of quality and prices. From a decent beginner’s winder starting at about $22.99 to professional automatic ball winders that can cost over $400. Read on to learn our picks for the best ball winders in every price range!

Related: 3 Types of Yarn Swifts & Recommendations for Every Stitcher

You certainly don’t need to make a huge investment in your winder, but choosing a well-made one is key to not creating a tangled mess out of your gorgeous newly purchased skein of hand dyed yarn.

The Cost-Effective, Beginner-Friendly Ball Winder

If budget is a concern, be aware that the cheaper the ball winder, the cheaper the ball winder. They can be purchased for as little as $15 on sites like Amazon, but you will get what you pay for.

These cheaper winders tend to have very flimsy clamps and will move around on your table when you wind the handle. This can create a massive mess out of your yarn.

We love the Knit Picks ball winder because it is simple, but well made. This smaller ball winder will cake up your average-sized skeins of yarn. It is a great starter ball winder that is easy on your pocketbook. While this one works well as a starter, you will most likely want to upgrade to a larger and more heavy duty one in the future.

The Ball Winder for Chunky Skeins & More (Staff Favorite!)

Some skeins of yarn can be large and bulky, such as Malabrigo Rasta, and require a more heavy-duty ball winder.

Related: Lisa’s List: 12 Yarn Ball Types and How to Knit with Them

You will need more space between the yarn guide and the core to wind up larger skeins. If you like bulky yarns or purchase skeins with a lot of yardage, be sure to get a ball winder that can handle the bulk and extra yards.

Our absolute favorite is the Stanwood Needlecraft Ball Winder. This beauty will cake up any skein of yarn you throw at it! It is easy to set up and break down and is made superbly well. The investment gets you a winder that will last for decades if you take good care of it. It is unlikely that you will outgrow this winder.

The Handcrafted, Artisan-Made Ball Winder

If you’re looking to support a company that makes fiber supplies by hand, you must see the handcrafted goods from Fiber Artist Supply Co. Crafted with precision and care, this yarn ball winder is a testament to quality and functionality. Its sturdy construction ensures durability, allowing you to wind large quantities of yarn with ease.

With its user-friendly design, the Maple Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder effortlessly transforms skeins of yarn into neat, organized, and tangle-free center-pull yarn cakes, making your creative projects more enjoyable and efficient. Whether you’re a seasoned fiber artist or just starting, this winder is essential for simplifying your yarn prep process.

The Splurge: Automatic Ball Winder

If budget isn’t a concern and you have the space to set up a semi-permanent ball winding space, why not purchase one that does all the hand cranking for you?

Automatic ball winders are most often seen in busy yarn shops so that the person at the register can wind your yarn while they ring you up. These types of winders should stay in one place for long periods of time and are not built to be moved around often.

Our favorite automatic ball winder is the Knitline Automatic Ball Winder. Made of wood and metal, this winder has adjustable speed, and, with the push of a button, it will do all the work for you. The motor is quiet, and it will wind up just about any hank of yarn you find.

No matter which ball winder you choose to purchase, take good care of it. Don’t let it get bumped around or dropped because any tweak to the mechanics of the winder will change how it cakes the yarn. My first ball winder was a pretty good one, but inexpensive. Sadly, it only took one drop to the ground and it became useless. Something was tweaked and it began caking the yarn into an egg shape which created a mess to knit from. Learn from my mistake and take good care of whichever winder you spend your precious money on!

Did your favorite ball winder make our list? Share your winder in the comments below!

Krista Ann is a nomadic knitter. She travels with her husband and their fur baby, Phinny, in an RV while she designs knits and teaches at yarn shops along the way. Instagram @explorewithknitsy | Website www.explorewithknitsy | The Knitting Rockstar Academy www.knittingrockstar.com.

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