Yarn Bowls

[sassenach]

I think I want to get one for my mom for Christmas. I love the look of the ones on this page, but they're all 5.5-7" by 3.5". That seems small, but maybe that's a good size? Is that too small?

 

 

 

[mellifera33]

It depends. If your mom winds all of her yarn into standard-sized cakes on a winder, it would be just right. If she buys big skeins of yarn in a putup that can be knit from directly, it might be too small. Does your mom tend to use more expensive yarns or big-box yarns? The more expensive yarns tend to come in a hank that needs to be wound. Big-box store yarns tend to range from small to jumbo skeins that can be knit from directly and may fit, or may be too big. Clear as mud?  :lol:

[Carol in Cal.]

I have two ceramic ones that size, and they are perfect for almost everything.  DH got them online.

Here they are:  https://alwaysazul.com/product/non-pattern-glazed-yarn-bowl-2/

 

They have a very smooth yarn groove, which is critical.

 

I had gotten myself a wooden one from Darn Good Yarn, and it was beautiful but the yarn groove was abrasive.  I was very disappointed and do not recommend that company.  (I also got some sari silk ribbon yarn from them, and the dye lots were not even close to matching from one skein to the next.  Ugh.)

[Guest]

It depends on your yarn. If you use a ball winder that can be enough, but I like mine bigger and with steep walls. Really, a crisco can is about the best yarn bowl there is and it is essentially free.

 

A potter friend of mine made me a lovely set on her wheel but they were really too short walled to be useful, unfortunately.

Edited October 27, 2016 by Arctic Mama

[sassenach]

It depends. If your mom winds all of her yarn into standard-sized cakes on a winder, it would be just right. If she buys big skeins of yarn in a putup that can be knit from directly, it might be too small. Does your mom tend to use more expensive yarns or big-box yarns? The more expensive yarns tend to come in a hank that needs to be wound. Big-box store yarns tend to range from small to jumbo skeins that can be knit from directly and may fit, or may be too big. Clear as mud?  :lol:

 

Actually, yes, that was clear! She is mostly using pre-wound skeins. That's what I was thinking about the size. 

[sassenach]

It depends on your yarn. If you use a ball winder that can be enough, but I like mine bigger and with steep walls. Really, a crisco can is about the best yarn bowl there is and it is essentially free.

 

A potter friend of mine made me a lovely set on her wheel but they were really too short walled to be useful, unfortunately.

But a crisco can does not make a pretty Christmas present (for the woman who has everything).  :001_smile:

[Guest]

True, but do look for one with tall sides regardless. This one is a good shape :)

https://www.etsy.com/listing/202250207/large-green-yarn-bowl-knitting-bowl?utm_campaign=shopping_us_DougSmithPottery_sfc_osa&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_custom1=0&utm_content=5412240&gclid=CLKDwbDh-88CFQyHfgodJL8Eog

[Murphy101]

I actually use a pottery soup tureen. I love it. The slot where the soup laddle would rest is where the yarn comes out and it has a lid, which is super awesome.

 

You can find some really pretty ones at flea markets, goodwill, garage sales and such.

 

The key is to make sure it has a flat bottom so it does tip when pulling yarn, but otherwise I find it much superior to the yarn bowl fads being sold currently. And there's both small ones and ones large enough to hold a cake of bulky yarn too.

 

Do a google search and you'll see some really lovely ones that I think are very gift worthy. And besides, it puts a pretty item to use that most people don't really use much these days.

[Desert Strawberry]

It depends. If your mom winds all of her yarn into standard-sized cakes on a winder, it would be just right. If she buys big skeins of yarn in a putup that can be knit from directly, it might be too small. Does your mom tend to use more expensive yarns or big-box yarns? The more expensive yarns tend to come in a hank that needs to be wound. Big-box store yarns tend to range from small to jumbo skeins that can be knit from directly and may fit, or may be too big. Clear as mud?  :lol:

 

Ah. That explains why they are so small. I have never yet worked from a cake.

 

I use a small plastic bin with handle holes. It's not fancy, but functional. I have a shelf full of bins filled with yarn and supplies. I just fill one with my working yarn, needles, notions, and feed the yarn through the handle hole.

 

Perhaps a prettier fabric storage bin would work as a gift?