Knit Like a Pro: the Wool Dispenser

The Wool dispenser in Action:

At first, the story behind this project:

I was sitting next to my mom, while she was knitting some socks. I've seen a problem that was really annoying for her. While was she knitting, the wool rolled away. So she needed to stand up and catch the wool.

So I had an Idea, I have to create a rolling mechanism, where nearly every wool ball will fit, and which will prevent the woll from rolling away. Also this mechanism should be out of wood and stand freely on a sofa or desk. I wanted to design it simple and functional.

Now my mom and all of her knitting friends are so exited about the woll dispender, that they wouldn't knit without it anymore. They told me that such a simple tool like this improves knitting a lot.

I think this wool dispenser is a pro tip for all people who love knitting and want to improve their workflow :-)

If you can't see the interactive 3D model above, its probably because
you're not using a WebGL-enabled browser, or you're using the Instructables Mobile app)

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Specifications:

Diameter: 150mm

Hight: 200mm

Overall Costs: ~8€

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###If you like my Instructable, please vote for me in the Pro Tips Challenge###

Also this is my first project made with my selfmade CNC router. It helped me a lot to take the CNC-Class and the

3D-CAM-and-CNC-Class here on Instructables, to understand how to programm the CAM for the wool dispenser. However, if you have a lathe for wood working the build progress will be a lot easier.

Step 1: Requierd Parts and Tools

Here is the list of the parts and tools I used for this project:

Requierd parts:

Quantity	Description	Link	Price
1x	18mmx200mmx800mm beech sheet	Local hardware store; In my case: Bauhaus	3,25€
1x	25mm woodscrew	Local hardware store	~0,1€
2x	625zz radial ball bearing	Aliexpress	1,16€
2x	4mm washer	Local hardware store	~0,1€
1x	wooden rod 20mm	Local hardware store; In my case Bauhaus	3,40
		Total Costs:	8.01€

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Requierd tools:
CNC-Router
Screwdriver
Sander

For the tools I have to mention, that a CNC router is not really necessary for this project. All the requierd parts can also be made by hand with a lathe or conventionell router.

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Additional Files:

Latest Fusion 360 File: https://a360.co/2IQxAUL

Technical drawing: Can be downloaded at the bottom of this step.

Step 2: CNC-Milling the Parts

Here I willshow you how I cutted the wood parts on my CNC-router. The CAM is programmed with Autodesk Fusion 360. All CAM Files are avaible in the Fusion 360 File from step 1.

Part one - the upper-body:

At first drill the center hole. Here I have used an 3mm 2 flutes end mill.

Simulation	In Reality

Now cutting the contur and clearing the inside of the top body. As you can see it is just a rough milling. For that operation I haved used an 6mm flat endmill.

Simulation	In Reality

Now mill the top for a smooth surface. Here I haved used an 4mm radius end mill.

Simulation	In Reality

Now, turn the work piece by 180° and start milling the inside pocket. Here I have also used the 6mm endmill.

Simulation	In Reality

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Part two - The lower-body:

Here I have not milled the outer contour on the CNC-router, because it took to much time. I have used a bandsaw to cut out the outer circle. The mounting holes for the bearings are made with CNC-router.

Start from one side:

Simulation	In Reality

Then, turn the bottom body by 180° and mill the second bearing pocket:

Simulation	In Reality

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Part 3 - the wooden rod:

For the wooden rod, I used an 20mm wooden rod from my local hardware store. Cut the rod by a lenght of 160mm.

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Once you haved finished the parts, you need to sand them manually for an nice and smooth finish:

Step 3: Put the Parts Together

Now it is rather simple to assemble the woll dispenser.

At fist you have to press the 625zz bearings inside the lower-body:

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After that you put the washer on top of the lower-body:

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Now you put the upper-body on top of the lower-body:

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Finally you screw the wooden rod on to the lower- and upper-body:

Step 4: You Are Done!

Comments

[hiwakoo]

I learned a trick to cope with this problem: try to get the beginning of the yarn from inside the wooballl. It needs some diggin but works very well. You don´t need any extra equipment and can as well handle severall wollballs.

[srudy]

You should make these and sell them on Etsy. You would be rich!

[lmyers73]

Snowf7 has a great idea for someone like me that does have a special individual in their life that would be able to make such a nifty wool holder/spinner. I will check out my favorite thrift store and pick up a couple counter top paper towel holders. These won't spin, but will serve their purpose quite well. This individual saw the problem his mom and friends were having and created something very special for her. What an awesome, loving person.

[Vulcaman]

Thanks for your kind words :-)

[lmyers73]

You are more than welcome! My special person was my late husband. He would have loved this and would have already bought the material to make me a couple. :o)

[lmyers73]

Well, my grammar isn't always correct :) I meant to say "does not have" instead of "does have".

[snowf7]

I have something very similar holding a roll of paper towels, on my kitchen counter. I think I will buy a second one for my wool/yarn/crochet cotton. Thank-you for your post.