Builds the yarn into a tidy flat-sided cake that stores neatly and is easy to identify.
Turn hanks and loose yarn into neat, ready-to-use cakes
Make yarn preparation faster, tidier and far more satisfying
The compact KnitPro Ball Winder transforms yarn into tidy cakes with a smooth hand-cranked action. Clamp it securely to a table, guide the strand through the extending metal arm and turn the handle to prepare yarn for knitting, crochet, storage or sharing.
- Creates centre-pull yarn cakes that can also be worked from the outside.
- Hand operated with no power, batteries or motor required.
- Built-in table clamp suits surfaces up to approximately 6.5cm thick.
- Compact and lightweight for easy setup and storage.
Compact Manual Winder
Hand CrankedNo electricity needed
Centre PullNeat yarn cakes
Up to 6.5cmMaximum table thickness
10941KnitPro article number
One complete compact ball winder with an integrated table clamp
The winding spindle, hand crank, extending yarn guide and clamp work together as a simple mechanical system. Once secured to a suitable table edge, the winder forms an organised cake while you control the winding speed and yarn feed.
Gives you direct control over speed, with no electrical supply or complicated controls.
Directs the yarn onto the rotating cake and helps maintain a consistent winding path.
Secures the winder to a stable table or bench edge up to approximately 6.5cm thick.
Swift sold separately: yarn supplied in a hank must be opened and supported so it can unwind freely. An umbrella swift is the easiest and safest partner for a ball winder and helps prevent tangles.
Compact enough to store, practical enough to use regularly
Colour note: supplier and current KnitPro images show different accent colours. The accent colour supplied may vary, while the product design and function remain the same.
A simple preparation step with benefits throughout the project
Prepare the yarn
Convert hanks, loose balls, cones or reclaimed yarn into a consistent shape before beginning or resuming a project.
See what you have
A tidy cake makes colour, texture and the remaining quantity easier to assess and organise in your yarn storage.
Choose your feed
Keep the inner end accessible for centre-pull use, or work from the outside with the cake on a suitable yarn holder.
Not just for newly purchased hanks
Hand-dyed hanks
Pair the winder with a swift to convert an opened hank into a project-ready cake.
Loose balls
Rewind collapsing or untidy balls into a compact shape that is easier to store.
Project leftovers
Organise useful remnants so the colour and remaining amount are easy to recognise.
Frogged yarn
Rewind unravelled yarn after removing knots and tangles, allowing the strand to feed freely.
Divide quantities
Use scales separately if you want to split a larger quantity into measured project portions.
Clamp, guide, secure, start slowly, wind and finish
Choose the surface
Use a stable table edge no more than 6.5cm thick and protect delicate finishes if needed.
Clamp securely
Tighten the built-in clamp until the winder is stable, without crushing or marking the furniture.
Prepare the source
Place a hank on a swift or arrange the existing ball or cone so the yarn can feed without snagging.
Thread the guide
Extend the metal guide fully, pass the strand through it and secure the inner end in the spindle slot.
Wind evenly
Turn slowly at first, then maintain a comfortable pace and light, consistent yarn tension.
Remove the cake
Stop before overfilling, secure the outer end and lift the completed cake carefully from the spindle.
Do not force the mechanism: stop immediately if the yarn catches, the guide shifts or the handle becomes difficult to turn. Clear the obstruction before continuing.
Each tool has a different job
| Tool | What it does | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| KnitPro Ball Winder | Turns freely feeding yarn into a tidy cake | For hanks supported on a swift, loose yarn, collapsing balls, cones and leftovers |
| Umbrella Swift | Holds an opened hank under light tension so it can rotate and unwind | Strongly recommended whenever yarn is supplied as a twisted hank |
| Winder and swift together | Supports the hank and winds the outgoing strand at the same time | The easiest setup for preparing hand-dyed and other hanked yarn |
| Yarn dispenser | Allows an existing ball or cake to rotate while you knit or crochet | For feeding yarn during the project rather than forming a new cake |
Let the yarn, not a guessed gram figure, tell you when the cake is full
KnitPro does not publish a single capacity figure for this compact plastic model. The amount it can hold varies with yarn thickness, density and winding tension. Watch the cake as it grows and stop before yarn reaches the spindle edges or interferes with the guide.
The first layers establish the cake, so take time to confirm the yarn is tracking correctly.
Avoid stretching elastic yarns or creating a cake so firm that the fibres remain under strain.
Wind delicate, fluffy, slubby or loosely spun yarns more slowly and watch for snagging.
For an oversized skein, make two or more manageable cakes instead of overloading the winder.
Important model distinction: the 450g fingering-weight capacity promoted for KnitPro's wooden Natural and Signature winders does not apply to article 10941.
Protect the winder, the table and the yarn
Do not touch moving gears, the rotating spindle or the yarn path while turning the handle.
Remove lint with a soft dry cloth. Avoid water, solvents and oils that could transfer to yarn.
Do not connect the winder to a drill, motor or any other powered drive.
Remove it from the table after use and store it clean, dry and away from crushing weight.
KnitPro Ball Winder specifications
| Brand | KnitPro |
|---|---|
| Product | Ball Winder |
| Article number | 10941 |
| Barcode | 8904086280078 |
| Operation | Manual hand crank |
| Power required | None |
| Primary result | Neat yarn cake suitable for centre-pull or outside-feed use |
| Mounting | Integrated table clamp |
| Maximum table thickness | Approximately 6.5cm / 2.6in |
| Main construction | Sturdy plastic body with metal guide and clamp components |
| Yarn guide | Extending metal guide arm |
| Colour | White body with coloured accents. Accent colour may vary. |
| Capacity | Not specified by KnitPro for this model; varies with yarn thickness and winding tension |
| Suitable users | Knitters, crocheters, weavers and other yarn crafters |
| Not included | Swift, yarn, scales, table protector and project |
KnitPro Ball Winder FAQs
What is the KnitPro article number?
The official KnitPro article number is 10941.
Is this the wooden KnitPro ball winder?
No. This is the compact plastic hand-operated model. It is different from the premium Natural and Signature wooden winders.
Does the winder need electricity?
No. It is powered entirely by turning the hand crank.
Does it make centre-pull yarn cakes?
Yes. Secure the starting end in the spindle slot and keep it accessible when you remove the finished cake. The same cake can also be used from the outside.
What thickness of table will the clamp fit?
The integrated clamp is designed for table or bench edges up to approximately 6.5cm, or 2.6 inches, thick.
Do I need a yarn swift?
A swift is strongly recommended for yarn supplied in a hank because it holds the opened loop so it can rotate and feed evenly. You generally do not need a swift when rewinding a loose ball that already feeds freely.
Is a swift included?
No. This listing contains the ball winder only. A swift and yarn are sold separately.
How much yarn can it wind?
KnitPro does not specify a single weight capacity for article 10941. Capacity varies with yarn thickness, density and tension, so stop before the cake reaches the spindle edges or interferes with the guide.
Does the wooden winder's 450g capacity apply?
No. The 450g fingering-weight claim belongs to KnitPro's larger wooden Natural and Signature winders, not this compact plastic model.
Can I rewind an existing ball?
Yes, provided the yarn can unwind freely without snagging. This is useful for tidying a collapsing ball or organising project leftovers.
Can I wind yarn from a cone?
Yes, when the cone is positioned so the strand feeds smoothly through the guide without catching or adding excessive tension.
Can I divide a large skein into smaller cakes?
Yes. Use separate scales if the divided portions must have measured weights, as scales are not built into the winder.
Can I wind delicate or fluffy yarn?
Many yarn types can be wound, but delicate, fuzzy, slubby or loosely spun fibres need a slower pace and very light tension. Stop immediately if the yarn catches.
Why is the metal guide arm important?
The guide directs the yarn onto the rotating cake. Extend it fully before winding so it remains correctly positioned.
Will the colour match the photograph?
The body is white, but accent colours have varied between supplier and KnitPro imagery. The colour supplied may therefore differ from the photographs.
Can I power it with a drill?
No. This product is designed for manual hand-crank operation only. Attaching a motor or drill can damage the mechanism and create a safety risk.
How should I clean and store it?
Remove lint with a soft dry cloth, avoid water, solvents and oil, and store the winder dry with no heavy objects pressing on it.
Spend less time untangling and more time making
With a secure table clamp, controlled hand crank and extending guide, the KnitPro Ball Winder makes tidy yarn preparation an enjoyable part of every knitting or crochet project.
Review the Winding Steps