Drill Powered Yarn Winder

by moxiepurple

22K5110

Intro: Drill Powered Yarn Winder

I wanted to submit my own version of the drill powered yarn winder. It is basically a large bobbin winder.

You will need:

two plastic lids
a straw
duct tape
drill

STEP 1: Assembly

Drill a hole in the center of each lid.

Put the straw onto your drill bit and cut to the length you want it. The only reason I covered it with duct tape was because the bit ripped a hole in it while I was sliding it on. I am using a 5/16 bit, and a McDonalds drink straw. Alternatively you can put a knitting needle in the chuck, or a dowel instead of using a drill bit, but if you skip the straw to cover the bit  you will have a hard time getting the yarn off the bit.

Slide one lid to the base of the bit, then pull a little yarn through the other lid and put it near the top.

STEP 2: Wind

I was unable to take a picture of myself winding the yarn. You hold the drill in one hand, and the strand of yarn in the other, don't let the ball/cake wind tightly, you don't want to stretch the yarn.

7 Comments

nailtechie 1 year ago

I love this idea!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! I have wanted a ball winder. But, I do not have the space. I already have a drill. Thanks again. Sandy

SherryM333 5 years ago

Thanks for this. I love the part about using lids.

MingS3 5 years ago

I've done something similar with a hand mixer, and covering with with a cardboard toilet paper tube. This seems like it would be even better at packing in the yarn. Great work! Now we just need a DIY alternative to the umbrella swift...

owltard 10 years ago

Follow up: an unsharpened pencil works great in place of a dowel rod! A thin layer of duct tape keeps the drill from chewing up the end it secures around.

owltard 10 years ago

Thank you so much! You just saved me soooo much time and money, not to mention trying to justify another craft room 'toy' to my husband. Now I can get cracking on winding my stash ASAP. :)