I love my yarn winder! However, there is ONE tip I have. Be careful NOT to crank _too fast_ or your ball will go _zinging off like a rocket!_ 😳 Dang! If you weren't close to finishing, you'll have to start over. 😡 The heavier the ball gets, the easier it is for liftoff 🚀 so it's a good idea to sloooow down 🐢until you're done. 🎉 Happy crocheting!
You know what I love about your videos? That you explain EVERYTHING as though you are speaking to a complete novice. It makes learning easier, for me anyway, and even if I've heard something before, it's good to reinforce the knowledge I have from a master such as yourself. Thanks so much for all you do for us who are not so knowledgeable 😊❤
I need this in my life right now. Years ago I asked my husband for a manual winder like this for Christmas. My sweet husband got me an electronic one. I was grateful to have a yarn winder and loved that he got it for me, but there was a reason I asked for a manual, lol. Sure enough by the 10th time I used it the motor malfunctioned and now I have one speed, super fast. I've used it none the less for years now, but the last time just recently I could smell that sweet burning aroma of an electrical fire in the midst. My anxiety was high enough with winding balls at super speeds, I'm not adding house fire to it as well. In the trash. 😂 I'll try again for this Christmas and emphasize the manual part. 🥰
It's sweet your husband got you an electronic one, it was definitely out of a good place. I hope you're able to get a manual one, I agree with the KnitPicks yarn winder, it's $19.99 on their site but you can get a 15% off if you sign up. So I think it's worth it.
I watched this a week ago and ordered the winder! I made a change...i slide an empty tp role over the center, tape it down to the base, make adjacent slits in it and feed the end through both sets of slits and spin away! Works great!!!
@@maciejp7829 the center pull is looser so it's easier to work with and it sits flat, plus i like the way they stack haha, at the end of the day it's just preference tho tbh
Awesome videos! A lady at a yarn store was trying to explain why I need a swift too, and I’m so glad I watched this before I bought one. Totally not necessary!
Thanks Toni! I had figure out how to assemble and attach it to a table, but my first attempt was so insanely loose. Thanks for the step by step b/c now I've got it.
Thank you, the first video I watched had all these fancy bits and pieces and I thought parts were missing. Thank heavens for people like you who have posted the same winder as mine and show me the way. Happy New Year.
L've had the Stanwood for some years now. Also have the larger one that will take a 200g ball. Never tried the 300g. Glad to know that I have been using mine as you described. Wonderful tool.
OK, you just blew my mind. I got a yarn cake winder for Christmas. I love it for quickly caking artisinal yarns hat usually come in hanks, but you my dear..... So those perfectly nice pre-caked yarns can beinside-out with a ball-winder. Mind blown.
Hi Tony, I have this yarn baller and love it. For as long as I can remember I always “balled” my yarn the old fashioned way (just winding it by hand into a ball) but this little gadget makes that task easier and goes a lot faster and easier on my hands since I have arthritis.
@@maciejp7829its easier to store them since they have flat tops and stack better, and they make your stash look neater (that’s the main reason i prefer them tbh. i don’t like having fresh skeins next to balls of reused yarn lol. the second biggest reason for me is that i just enjoy winding them up, i think it’s fun). skeins in stores have a risk of “yarn barf” when pulling from the center, and pulling from the side just makes the skein roll around and tug and stuff. pulling from the center of these cakes is a lot smoother. it’s a matter of preference though, they’re not objectively better or anything. i see plenty of people who don’t like this form of yarn and consider the winding process a waste of time
@@maciejp7829 It's easy for storage, and for me, when I get like halfway through a skein from the store it starts unraveling and getting really tangled, a cake of yarn will not have any tangles which makes using it very smooth!
I usually watch multiple videos on things to see how others do it. You my friend have done such a wonderful job that I'm diving on in to this thing😆 thank you 💜💜
Excellent instruction! I always wanted one of these but didn't now if I could figure it out. Much better than asking the husband for help. Thanks for the great explanation! Glad I found you.
I actually ordered a cheap knock off from China from amazon and I loved it. It broke after about 6 months as we think it’s the gears in it that are off. So then I go buy one at Michaels for $30 and used my 60% coupon. I despise this one as it feels more cheap than the Chinese winder. It’s nice having one that works tho. They are so nice to have. Oh, I take my label for that yarn I’m winding and before the cake starts to expand, stick your label down in the center of cake and you know what yarn it isn’t, always. 💡😊
Thanks for letting me know how to do that! I've not been doing this long, but I not only crochet and tusician crochet for physical therapy, yet I also make hats for SBS( Shaken baby syndrome) and babies who have heart problems
Thankyou! No fuss tutorial! I found a ball winder at my thrift store, this week, and had been looking for one for years.🤭🧶 Now I can turn my scraps into a gorgeous mystery yarn ball. 😁Much love from Australia 🇦🇺💖✂️🧶💖
Thank you Toni. You made this easy. Well, as easy as this velvet Dollar Tree yarn can be caked up..lol Woo Wee. Yarn fuzz everywhere when I crochet and cake up.
I just ordered this one! Knit Picks is always a solid company. I was debating on the yarn swift to go with it but I think I’m good for now. I’ve been using a nostepinne but this seems so much easier, and I like working with cakes better :) Thanks for the great explanation!
That was super helpful! I just had a terrible experience with a cake of yarn where the center came out in a big blob and it was horrible to get straightened out. I can see the benefit of a yarn winder already! 🤣
Thanks so much for doing this example of a yarn winder. I am a newer crocheter and would like one, but the ones I saw were like $80 but this one seems great and at a good price! 👍 tyvm ❤
Hello, Having read all the comments, pro and cons, I think that the winder would be fine for up to 50 grams or 2 oz of yarn, as you show at 13:12. After that the winder would be stretching its limits. To wind any more than 50 grams would make the cake too big and when the work got to a stage where the center hole of the cake becomes large it would collapse within its self. So, having watched your video it may be nice to say that the smaller winders are good for small cakes but anything over 50 grams would need a bigger winder. Just my opinion. Thanks for your video. Regards, JennyB.
this seemed very self explanatory but this video was still SUPER helpful and pleasant to watch!! i love your channel and the way you present things so much. perfect pace :3
Oh, my goodness! I was watching yarn ball winder videos at random, while I was knitting, just to keep me company. A little ways in I thought that voice sounds so familiar. I checked the page and started laughing. Love your videos !
I have going to your videos to learn Tunisian. I’m a beginner in my retirement years. Hands on learner. What do you recommend to learn. I love your work , it’s beautiful.
I know you mage this 3 years ago ! So perfect I need one to cake my yarns -thank you Toni . Do you have info on using hanks ? I got a very expensive one the other day and I was a nightmare
Hi Toni! I have this exact yarn winder. I bought it after seeing it demonstrated earlier. I used it & loved the cake it made. However, when I went to use the cake I was crocheting along (maybe 3-4 rows) and then all of a sudden a big knot came out I was so frustrated I put the project t away. I have not used it again because I don’t want to run into that problem again. Has this ever happened to you? Do you know what I could have done wrong?
I have a question and I’m so sorry if it’s a dumb question I’m new to the hobby so I trying to figure things out still. Once I make the yarn cake, which is the best way to use it? Should I be using the center pull or the outside end that u wrapped around?
Thanks for the video. I've had my ball winder for a few years now. Wish this video had been out back then. When you commented on tension and how it helps to keep the yarn on the winder I laughed. I had that exact thing happen to me when I first bought mine. I was so excited to finally have one, I caked up my fist ball of yarn right away. My tension was all over the place. Next thing I knew yarn was everywhere. 😂 I guess sometimes you have to learn the hard way.
I just got my first one and it works really well for cotton yarn, but with rayon yarn it ends up slipping off the top/bottom of the cake and causes tangles once i take it off the winder. Are there any tips or tricks for slippery yarn, or is it just not very useful for slippery yarn? Its a 7oz stanwood needlecraft, looks basically the same as in the video but just different colors. Thanks!
I just got mine in the mail and I'm soooo excited!! However, my guide arm keeps collapsing. I wonder if it can be fixed or if I need to return it and get the same brand as you have 🤔
Hi Toni, question for you. What would cause the yarn not to cake evenly but ends up lopsided do you know? I have had some cake perfectly but now it seems that the just bunch mostly in one side.
So once you have the yarn in a cake....do you put it in a yarn-bowl or something when you are using it during crochet? If not, how do you keep it from rolling around? thank you. (sorry for the dumb question. I'm kinda new at this. lol) 😊
@@patwbacon First, I don't use a winder, I have enough junk in my room already. I use a decent size coffee jar (Empty of course) and put the jar between my feet. It does not move or roll around. You can then use shop balls and work from the center pull. problem solved. JennyB
Hello, I'm a beginner and I was wondering, what is the point of turning your yarn ball into a cake ? Does it make so your yarn tangles less ? I'm having a lot of trouble with yarn balls turning into a mess of tangles on bigger projects
I solved my problems like that. I use a large (not too big) coffee jar, (empty of course). Plonk the shop ball into the jar and away you go. The jar won't move, it sits between my feet. Regards, JennyB
I have a similar winder, and I thought I was doing it the same, but it always comes out loose and messy on the inside. What do you think I might be doing wrong?
I've had my Knit Picks winder for about a month and it worked perfectly! I was so happy with it. But this week I took it out and it just won't wind correctly. I can't figure out why. The yarn just clumps on the spool and won't disperse as it winds like it's supposed to. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm desperate to get my winder working properly again!
This is happening to me now. The wonder worked great at first and now it’s not creating a beat cake anymore. I’m not doing anything different. It’s frustrating.
The standwood winder is a little better. You can wind up more yarn to get a bigger cake, and they have an extra piece of hardware so that you don't have to hold the yarn.
I love my yarn winder! However, there is ONE tip I have. Be careful NOT to crank _too fast_ or your ball will go _zinging off like a rocket!_ 😳 Dang! If you weren't close to finishing, you'll have to start over. 😡 The heavier the ball gets, the easier it is for liftoff 🚀 so it's a good idea to sloooow down 🐢until you're done. 🎉 Happy crocheting!
Thanks for the rocket warning! 👍🤭💖🧶✂️🇦🇺
just learned this the hard way right before finding this video…
My yarn winder is coming today thank you for that tip! I feel like I definitely would have that happen to me 🤣🤦🏻♀️😊
Thank you so much for this
Thank you! I just got mine and I've been crankin it like Soulja boy 😂
You know what I love about your videos? That you explain EVERYTHING as though you are speaking to a complete novice. It makes learning easier, for me anyway, and even if I've heard something before, it's good to reinforce the knowledge I have from a master such as yourself. Thanks so much for all you do for us who are not so knowledgeable 😊❤
I need this in my life right now.
Years ago I asked my husband for a manual winder like this for Christmas. My sweet husband got me an electronic one. I was grateful to have a yarn winder and loved that he got it for me, but there was a reason I asked for a manual, lol. Sure enough by the 10th time I used it the motor malfunctioned and now I have one speed, super fast. I've used it none the less for years now, but the last time just recently I could smell that sweet burning aroma of an electrical fire in the midst. My anxiety was high enough with winding balls at super speeds, I'm not adding house fire to it as well. In the trash. 😂
I'll try again for this Christmas and emphasize the manual part. 🥰
A tip: you can watch series on Flixzone. Been using it for watching loads of movies recently.
@Richard Jude yup, been using flixzone for years myself :)
It's sweet your husband got you an electronic one, it was definitely out of a good place. I hope you're able to get a manual one, I agree with the KnitPicks yarn winder, it's $19.99 on their site but you can get a 15% off if you sign up. So I think it's worth it.
I watched this a week ago and ordered the winder! I made a change...i slide an empty tp role over the center, tape it down to the base, make adjacent slits in it and feed the end through both sets of slits and spin away! Works great!!!
but what advantage does this new cake have over the ball of yarn that came from the store? why would i do this?
@@maciejp7829i think most people use it wind yarn that's in hanks/skeins into a cake so it's easier to work with! at least that's what i do😊
@@maciejp7829i think most people use it wind yarn that's in hanks/skeins into a cake so it's easier to work with! at least that's what i do😊
@@SacchanXD why is it easier to work with?
@@maciejp7829 the center pull is looser so it's easier to work with and it sits flat, plus i like the way they stack haha, at the end of the day it's just preference tho tbh
I wish there was a counter to tell you how much yarn is wound (yards) that’s be awesome
You can use a fishing line counter or you can buy official ones from Boye or Nancy's Knit Knacks
There is also measuring by weight, that is a lot more accurate, at least in my opinion, but you can be the judge of that as well.
@@stevespenceryu9371 you're handy to have around
Yes that would be great!
Weigh it and convert.
Just got this for Christmas and I couldn’t be happier…❤
I ordered mine just after watching your demo. I watched about 2 dozen of them but you explained everything I needed to know in easy detail. Thank you.
Love this! Just got my ball winder and need video instructions and over reading and this was great.
Awesome videos! A lady at a yarn store was trying to explain why I need a swift too, and I’m so glad I watched this before I bought one. Totally not necessary!
That was fantastic. I didn’t know how neat the cake became. Thank you!
Thanks Toni! I had figure out how to assemble and attach it to a table, but my first attempt was so insanely loose. Thanks for the step by step b/c now I've got it.
Thank you, the first video I watched had all these fancy bits and pieces and I thought parts were missing. Thank heavens for people like you who have posted the same winder as mine and show me the way. Happy New Year.
L've had the Stanwood for some years now. Also have the larger one that will take a 200g ball. Never tried the 300g. Glad to know that I have been using mine as you described. Wonderful tool.
OK, you just blew my mind. I got a yarn cake winder for Christmas. I love it for quickly caking artisinal yarns hat usually come in hanks, but you my dear..... So those perfectly nice pre-caked yarns can beinside-out with a ball-winder. Mind blown.
Hi Tony, I have this yarn baller and love it. For as long as I can remember I always “balled” my yarn the old fashioned way (just winding it by hand into a ball) but this little gadget makes that task easier and goes a lot faster and easier on my hands since I have arthritis.
but what advantage does this new cake have over the ball of yarn that came from the store? why would i do this?
@@maciejp7829its easier to store them since they have flat tops and stack better, and they make your stash look neater (that’s the main reason i prefer them tbh. i don’t like having fresh skeins next to balls of reused yarn lol. the second biggest reason for me is that i just enjoy winding them up, i think it’s fun). skeins in stores have a risk of “yarn barf” when pulling from the center, and pulling from the side just makes the skein roll around and tug and stuff. pulling from the center of these cakes is a lot smoother. it’s a matter of preference though, they’re not objectively better or anything. i see plenty of people who don’t like this form of yarn and consider the winding process a waste of time
@@maciejp7829 It's easy for storage, and for me, when I get like halfway through a skein from the store it starts unraveling and getting really tangled, a cake of yarn will not have any tangles which makes using it very smooth!
this is crazy i ordered my knit picks yarn winder a few days ago and this popped up in my feed. this video was super helpful.
Thanks Toni! I needed some tips to use the ball winder I got for Christmas. Your video has helped so much!
I usually watch multiple videos on things to see how others do it. You my friend have done such a wonderful job that I'm diving on in to this thing😆 thank you 💜💜
Mine is coming g in the mail in a few hours. So excited!
Excellent instruction! I always wanted one of these but didn't now if I could figure it out. Much better than asking the husband for help. Thanks for the great explanation! Glad I found you.
This answered many of my questions. Very simple really. Thank you
I brought this one and I love using it , Have fun winding.
Love this!
I’ve seen these but just shrugged it off.
I am putting this on my priority list. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much! Tension is key!!
Oh my gosh....where has this been my whole life. Great video, thanks!
I actually ordered a cheap knock off from China from amazon and I loved it. It broke after about 6 months as we think it’s the gears in it that are off. So then I go buy one at Michaels for $30 and used my 60% coupon. I despise this one as it feels more cheap than the Chinese winder. It’s nice having one that works tho. They are so nice to have. Oh, I take my label for that yarn I’m winding and before the cake starts to expand, stick your label down in the center of cake and you know what yarn it isn’t, always. 💡😊
Thanks for letting me know how to do that! I've not been doing this long, but I not only crochet and tusician crochet for physical therapy, yet I also make hats for SBS( Shaken baby syndrome) and babies who have heart problems
I’m glad I watched this video, I was making the thread on top too long and couldn’t pull from the center. Will make it shorter. Thank you 😊
Thanks for doing this demonstration. I'm thinking of getting one. The cakes sure look pretty.
Thankyou! No fuss tutorial! I found a ball winder at my thrift store, this week, and had been looking for one for years.🤭🧶 Now I can turn my scraps into a gorgeous mystery yarn ball. 😁Much love from Australia 🇦🇺💖✂️🧶💖
Thank you so much! My mom asked me to help her with a couple yarn balls our cats found in her closet. LIFESAVER ❤️
Thank you Toni. You made this easy. Well, as easy as this velvet Dollar Tree yarn can be caked up..lol Woo Wee. Yarn fuzz everywhere when I crochet and cake up.
You are so welcome!
Quality, direct instructions. Subscription earned!
I’m ready to throw my yarn winder. Now watching you, reconsidering trying it again.
Wow! That is SO COOL! I need one for sure! Thanks Toni!
Just bought the same one. Super excited to use it for the hand made yarns I also bought💃. Great instruction. TY
I used mine as I watched your video.. I’ve needed this since I was 13 omg. Why have I waited so long 😂😂😂 thank you!
One of the best craft gadget purchases ever made!!
I just ordered this one! Knit Picks is always a solid company. I was debating on the yarn swift to go with it but I think I’m good for now. I’ve been using a nostepinne but this seems so much easier, and I like working with cakes better :) Thanks for the great explanation!
That was super helpful! I just had a terrible experience with a cake of yarn where the center came out in a big blob and it was horrible to get straightened out. I can see the benefit of a yarn winder already! 🤣
Thank you. I just bought this one! Can’t wait to make yarn cake!❤
I have the same ball winder! I love it!
Thanks so much for doing this example of a yarn winder. I am a newer crocheter and would like one, but the ones I saw were like $80 but this one seems great and at a good price! 👍 tyvm ❤
Thank you so much! This video was so helpful 🥰
Thanks! Probably going to need this video like a million times from now lol
Hello, Having read all the comments, pro and cons, I think that the winder would be fine for up to 50 grams or 2 oz of yarn, as you show at 13:12. After that the winder would be stretching its limits. To wind any more than 50 grams would make the cake too big and when the work got to a stage where the center hole of the cake becomes large it would collapse within its self. So, having watched your video it may be nice to say that the smaller winders are good for small cakes but anything over 50 grams would need a bigger winder. Just my opinion. Thanks for your video. Regards, JennyB.
Thank you so much. I wasn't sure if this was necessary or how to use one. You taught me both. Much appreciated.
this seemed very self explanatory but this video was still SUPER helpful and pleasant to watch!! i love your channel and the way you present things so much. perfect pace :3
Thank you so much for this video. Very clear instructions!
Sold out… figures… just find one i think I’d buy thanks to you Ms. T…
Will have to set it for future checking
Thank you for this video, this has been the best gadget I bought.
I've got one of those coming for my birthday - that was super helpful, thank you!
Can i ask which one did you get because I like really need one..
Thank you!
@@m.v.stewart7688 hi, I got a knit pro one, the plastic version, not used it yet but it was recommended by a friend who has one 😊
Oh, my goodness! I was watching yarn ball winder videos at random, while I was knitting, just to keep me company. A little ways in I thought that voice sounds so familiar. I checked the page and started laughing. Love your videos !
I have going to your videos to learn Tunisian. I’m a beginner in my retirement years. Hands on learner. What do you recommend to learn. I love your work , it’s beautiful.
This was very helpful. Thank you.
Wow ... love it! ~ hugs alot ~
WOW ❤ Amazing 👍🏻👍🏻
It look cool and good
Thanks! It was super easy tutorial! Bought a yarn winder today and now I must go forth and cake my yarn…lol
Perfect tutorial. Thank you so much for your demonstration. I will buy one. London. x
Thank you..great explanation!
Thank you so much❤
❤Thank you for sharing. I’ve been looking at this wonder myself, anyway to eliminate the squeaky noises?
I was just looking into getting a winder. Thanks for the links!
Thankyou soooooo much!!! I NEED THIS! And I was confused where I could find a good one! THANKYOUUU
Thank goodness for this video!! The instructions that came with mine were not clear at all.
I start out with a slip knot on my winder so I know which side is center pull and so I can start using right away if needed
I love my yarn ball winder!
Ty for making this video
I'm so glad to find this video my winder is not making a cake anymore how can I fix it
They're so neat and cute!
Winding by hand is not the same as by that it's always uneven
When I take mine off the winder the yarn starts falling off around the center
I know you mage this 3 years ago ! So perfect I need one to cake my yarns -thank you Toni . Do you have info on using hanks ? I got a very expensive one the other day and I was a nightmare
Hi Toni! I have this exact yarn winder. I bought it after seeing it demonstrated earlier. I used it & loved the cake it made. However, when I went to use the cake I was crocheting along (maybe 3-4 rows) and then all of a sudden a big knot came out I was so frustrated I put the project t away. I have not used it again because I don’t want to run into that problem again. Has this ever happened to you? Do you know what I could have done wrong?
I have a question and I’m so sorry if it’s a dumb question I’m new to the hobby so I trying to figure things out still. Once I make the yarn cake, which is the best way to use it? Should I be using the center pull or the outside end that u wrapped around?
thank u misses!
Thanks for the video. I've had my ball winder for a few years now. Wish this video had been out back then. When you commented on tension and how it helps to keep the yarn on the winder I laughed. I had that exact thing happen to me when I first bought mine. I was so excited to finally have one, I caked up my fist ball of yarn right away. My tension was all over the place. Next thing I knew yarn was everywhere. 😂 I guess sometimes you have to learn the hard way.
I just got my first one and it works really well for cotton yarn, but with rayon yarn it ends up slipping off the top/bottom of the cake and causes tangles once i take it off the winder. Are there any tips or tricks for slippery yarn, or is it just not very useful for slippery yarn? Its a 7oz stanwood needlecraft, looks basically the same as in the video but just different colors. Thanks!
God I'm so happy the yarn auntie has a video on this cause I'm Struggling 😂😢
I checked online. Which winder is this knit pick? They range quite a bit in cost. Thank you in advance for your answer. 😀
Thank you for showing this I just got one and was afraid to do it . 😊
I just got mine in the mail and I'm soooo excited!! However, my guide arm keeps collapsing. I wonder if it can be fixed or if I need to return it and get the same brand as you have 🤔
Thanks for the video. Would you know why my cake comes out lopsided. It does not look like your in a nice cake.
Thank you ♥️
How cool! Thank you!!
Can share the product link or link where can we buy it .
Where did you get the wood yarn winder?
I now have a vision of wool just flying round my house now and I kinda wanna make a dead loose tension to make it happen
How did someone come up with this?! It amazes on what’s people can do.
I should get one.
Hi Toni, question for you. What would cause the yarn not to cake evenly but ends up lopsided do you know? I have had some cake perfectly but now it seems that the just bunch mostly in one side.
But how do you keep track of what type/color/brand of yarn it is? What do you do with the labels?
Can you use super bulky yarn on it? Or do you not know.
So once you have the yarn in a cake....do you put it in a yarn-bowl or something when you are using it during crochet? If not, how do you keep it from rolling around? thank you. (sorry for the dumb question. I'm kinda new at this. lol) 😊
the cakes will not roll like a ball, you can put in a bowl or whatever, but mine just sits on the table or beside me and never rolls
@@patwbacon First, I don't use a winder, I have enough junk in my room already. I use a decent size coffee jar (Empty of course) and put the jar between my feet. It does not move or roll around. You can then use shop balls and work from the center pull. problem solved. JennyB
Hello, I'm a beginner and I was wondering, what is the point of turning your yarn ball into a cake ? Does it make so your yarn tangles less ? I'm having a lot of trouble with yarn balls turning into a mess of tangles on bigger projects
I solved my problems like that. I use a large (not too big) coffee jar, (empty of course). Plonk the shop ball into the jar and away you go. The jar won't move, it sits between my feet. Regards, JennyB
🤔 so the "hole" will shrink once the yarn is removed from the winder?
My ball winder the long silver thing that sticks up always falls down!!!! And I feel like putting it in the bin
Do these work for bulky weight yarn as well? Or do you need a different one to do bulky yarn?
I have a similar winder, and I thought I was doing it the same, but it always comes out loose and messy on the inside. What do you think I might be doing wrong?
I've had my Knit Picks winder for about a month and it worked perfectly! I was so happy with it. But this week I took it out and it just won't wind correctly. I can't figure out why. The yarn just clumps on the spool and won't disperse as it winds like it's supposed to. Has anyone else had this problem? I'm desperate to get my winder working properly again!
This is happening to me now. The wonder worked great at first and now it’s not creating a beat cake anymore. I’m not doing anything different. It’s frustrating.
Since you bought it at Knitpicks, I suggest calling them. Their customer support is exceptional. They will make it right, I'm certain of it.
The standwood winder is a little better. You can wind up more yarn to get a bigger cake, and they have an extra piece of hardware so that you don't have to hold the yarn.