Friday, May 25, 2007

Measuring Yarn?

Ok, guys. Wanda asked me about measuring yarn for yardage, and I suddenly realized that there might be a better solution than my own method of winging it. I'm measuring it on the yarn swift when I skein it, but of course that's not precise. I know Margaret is doing the same on her niddy noddy. What are the rest of you doing? Is there an easy way to get an accurate yardage measurement?

4 comments:

margene said...

My niddy noddy holds 2 yds. After winding the yarn onto it I count the strands and multiply by 2.

Julie said...

I'm also using the number of wraps on the niddy noddy but if I wanted to be more accurate I think I'd go for one of those yarn meters.
http://www.nancysknitknacks.com/Yarn%20Meter.htm

Ronni said...

I have one of the meters. I'm not certain how accurate it is relative to the niddy noddy yet. Mine had a hitch the first time I used it where it didn't tick over the hundreds point but seemed to work right the second time. I think if I were going to do it again I would buy the tensioning device as well as the counter despite the added expense. It seems like it would make the count more even.

I've also used a warping board to measure yardages before but that is dependent on the tension you supply as well.

cyndy said...

Some of the antique yarn winders are beautiful, and still keep an accurate count. I have seen a few that even have counters on them...and one that actually POPPED (you know-"the pop goes the weasel song!")once the lea was measured. The traditional hanks were equal to about 6 or 7 leas (skeins)..depending on what the fiber was (cotton, silk, or wool).

Just don't ever turn them the wrong way, you will break the gears.

darn..now I have the stupid song stuck in my head...penny for a spool of thread, penny for a needle....