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Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 13, 2009 at 4:10pm: I think the position changes from time to time. You can always find your own KALs by clicking on "My Knitalongs" when you get to the KAL page...unless you've joined them all. You can also find them on your page. --P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by marci on June 14, 2009 at 6:40pm: I am beginning knitter. I would like to start a new project.
I have made several scarves but have only learned these stitches - knit, purl, slip. I have made one small hat using circular needles but had help with decreasing and using dpn. Any suggestions? Thanks!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on June 14, 2009 at 6:48pm: I recommend that you find something you would like to do... don't make it too big, so you won't get discouraged, and go for it. Get a good circular needle, and try another hat, then try a Magic Loop sock... most people wouldn't recommend this, but I was doing socks within six months of learning to knit.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 15, 2009 at 6:54am: I agree that socks are a good beginner project, if you want to learn a lot of things with minimum investment in yarn. Lots of knitters use the Magic Loop method, and others use two circs, but you can do it with dpns, since you're already a little experienced with them. Find a sock that has only K, P and Sl (no wraps at first). You'll be practicing your decs and learning to PU, if you haven't already. I like Susan's idea to do another hat first, though, if you think you'll enjoy it. You might try one with cables, so you could learn how to do that. --P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by slimerick on June 16, 2009 at 3:36pm: I have just acquired your Swift and ball winder. Everything goes along great at the first, but then the yarn starts catching on the "high" side of the turning spindle platform and if I don't free it each time, I end up with the base of the turning spindle incorporated into the "cake" of yarn. What am I doing wrong? Or should the guide arm be about an inch taller?

SHL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 16, 2009 at 5:56pm: Do you have the swift to the right or the left of the ball winder? --P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by slimerick on June 16, 2009 at 5:59pm: The yarn is in a straight line from the swift to the yarn guide - in other words directly behind it. Should it be at an angle?
SHL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 16, 2009 at 6:25pm: I can't say for sure without seeing what you're doing, but I found that my ball winder worked better when the swift was to the right and the winder was to the left. The little arm that holds the yarn collapses to the left with pressure in that direction. I also have found that I have to keep my speed of turning the crank fairly even, and if I have to slow down or speed up, I do that gradually. Otherwise the swift will snap back in the opposite direction. You might want to check out the tutorial here. Click on the tab for video. My ball winder is not from Knit Picks, but they look pretty much the same, so I think they probably work the same. I had some disasters before I learned how to use it. One in particular, where the "cake" of yarn took off and almost attained orbit! --P; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by slimerick on June 16, 2009 at 6:36pm: Thank you for your help! I now know what I was doing wrong. I didn't realize that the yarn guide moved out to a different position and I was trying to wind the ball with it in the storage position. It is now working much better! Thank you again!
SHL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 17, 2009 at 7:39am: Slim: You are so welcome! It always makes us feel good when we can help someone.That's why I keep trying! Happy winding! --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Customer Service on June 17, 2009 at 10:56am: Hi,

I am sorry that you are having a problem with our ball winder. Here is a link that might correct the problem. If it does not please call our customer service at 1-800-574-1323 so that we can replace it for you.

Sincerely,
Georgianna
Customer Service; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Peggy Stuart on June 17, 2009 at 6:30pm: Hi, Georgianna! I think we solved the problem, but if not, it's always good to know that KP stands behind its products! I've had wonderful experience with Customer Service. Way beyond what I've had elsewhere. We're pretty on top of things in this Community, though, and you have to get up early to beat us to the answer. Keep up the good work. We really appreciate all of you. --Peggy; ▶ Reply to This