Homemade Magnetic Yarn Unwinding Tool

Mikey got hooked on a yarn magnetic holder to unwind balls from the outside that are floating on a magnet. Since he found this several years ago, he's been using it daily, but realized there may be a problem with it. It created an opportunity to make a homemade contraption that he is currently using in his TV Room as he crochets.

Have you made a handmade contraption for your crochet that you are using and love? Leave me a comment below to share more about it.

This is called a Wool Genie, and you can see a review comparing the real version to a knock-off. Both versions had an issue for Mikey to overcome.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcSP6IH86Z0

Sizing Problem with a Table-Mounted Holder

The side of the yarn ball is limited by the metal support based on the yarn ball's thickness. The Wool Genie version can hold heavier balls, but that doesn't help if the ball's diameter is too large.

While great for self-wound yarn balls or yarn balls that aren't as wide. It eliminated the option to use the winders with balls as big as Bernat Blanket yarn. If only there were a winder in which the metal support were farther from the magnet.

Sometimes, you can feel tension and accidentally pull the winder off the side table supporting it. Or maybe, in Mikey's case, he's already got a lot of clutter on the table and no room to put the winder down without cleaning it first.

Wool Genie

What if changes could be made to the tool?

Mikey thought, what if there were a winder that wasn't dependent on a table? The support to hold the ball would be much farther away, and the height would match a crocheter in a seated position. No tools like that exist. The hunt for making a contraption was imminent.

Plant Stand with Mikey's Chair

TIP: I didn't apply the screws on the pole directly across from the magnetic. The top section is resting and I can swivel the top section of the way if I need to. If I screw it in, the base may be in the way to get underneath a chair or table.

While at IKEA, Mikey saw the Solvinden Lamp Stand. It stands at a total height of 47" inches and has a decent base diameter for stability of 14" dia. It was the right height. Knowing the magnet had to be attached, the product's overall height was perfect.

The base could be slid under a sofa so it's not a tripping hazzard.

Yarn Ball Magnetically Hanging from Lamp Stand

Some Assembly To Be Done

Mikey disassembled one of his yarn genies to remove the magnet that holds the pendulums. Not all magnets work well as regular magnets from Home Depot, and many lack the strength to hold and allow the pendulum to function properly.

He crazy glued the magnet to the bottom section of the hook area. He also glued another magnet to the top arch area to hold empty or unused yarn.

The stand is stable and slides under my sofa when I am using it, so it's not in my way. It's sitting at the right height for me to use it efficiently.

I can add regular-sized Bernat Blanket balls to my winder and hold without issues. Better than taking the strands from the inside of the balls, as I find them hard to find in that brand.

It's a nifty little contraction that works well. It is necessary, probably not, but I do love it. If your IKEA or online world has this, it's in the lighting section. It was only $20 CDN for the stand.