We have 1-1⁄2 and 2 yard skein or hank winders, both are available as manual (hand crank) and electric motorized versions. These skeiners are professional grade, heavy duty products, with ball bearings for smooth operation and solid birch plywood and maple hardwood construction for stability and durability, yet they are very reasonably priced.
A skein winder is used to wind yarn into a skein, also known as a hank, either from an existing skein (on a swift) or from a cone or ball. This is useful for spinners who need to block their yarn, or skein it for sale. Skeining (or re-skeining) yarn is also important for hand dyers, who need to get the yarn into a dyeable form from cones or balls. Or for dyers who wish to change the repeat length of an existing skein. It is also useful to re-skein yarn after dyeing, to insure a more uniform and attractive skein to be sold.
Using a dedicated skein winder is quicker, more stable and more comfortabe than winding yarn onto a swift. Most swifts, especially horizontal and "umbrella" swifts are simply not designed for winding a skein, even though they can be forced into this roll. Even swifts with winding handles are not as well suited to the task as our dedicated skein winders.
We will also be offering a ball bearing pyramid type swift in 1½ and 2 yard sizes and an electronic digital yardage counter in the near future.