Yarn Dispenser by Yarn Valet – Non-Slip Base with Built-in Holder for Markers, Pattern and 4” Gauge Ruler

Great gadget for knitters & crocheters! I got this on a whim, especially after buying my first yarn winder. This dispenser works well with center pull balls - though you will be feeding your yarn from the outside in. Simply impale your yarn cake on the dispenser and go to town! Over the years, I have used all kinds of methods to hold my yarn as I was crafting - from toilet paper rolls and standing paper towel holders, to just letting my yarn skitter around the floor. And feeding yarn from a retail skein means I spent more time picking out knots and cussing at everyone in the room than actually making something! This dispenser is a great tool to keep your yarn in place, and feed it without knots (hooray!!). I found that because it's plastic on plastic, the spinning motion can become a little more difficult as you use it, and it will tense up. This situation is easily remedied by shooting a quick spray of WD-40 in the inside of the funnel (the white part), and putting it back on the green base. Make sure you return it to your husband's workbench before he runs around the house trying to find it and gives you the evil eye when he discovers you've taken it. Or...you can just buy a little itty bitty can of WD-40 and store it with your other crafting items. Surprisingly, I actually like the ruler that is imprinted in the base - great for checking gauge. It's a wonderful tool if you travel with your crafts, too. Just stuff it in your bag, yarn ball and all, and place it on a table, floor or wherever you're most comfortable. I found that the little feet it comes with aren't the best for me, and decided to use a square of that grippy shelf liner stuff on my lapdesk. Works great! I use a ball winder and the winder and this dispenser...wow...I can't believe how long I waited to add these tools to my crafting. I really like it!

Frankly I cannot understand all of the poor reviews. People who give it one star then simply state, "They don't like it" without saying why? I love this little gadget for several reasons. Weather I am using a small ball of yarn or even a larger cake the dispenser stays put without issue. I have even used a jumbo skein on it and it works fine. As for the squeaking issue some reviewers have; I have not had that issue but then again I am not unwinding yarn at lightening speed either. It is compact enough to take along and toss into my yarn bag. I have not had an issue with the notches at the base, I am not sure why they are there but if the company re-designed the product, the base could easily be solid and it would probably not affect it's function. I like it's little features, such as the non slip feet, embossed ruler and stitch marker holders. All in all, it is a simple little product that does just what it is supposed to... Work. UPDATE: I have used this with Red Heart Jumbo's yarn and Caron one pounders, Caron cakes etc.... It still works great! Oh btw, the green stripe is where I put a strip of Frog Tape on the spindle to cover the slits on the bottom of the spinner.

I LOVE the idea. This item is really handy and helpful. I think with a little re-engineering, it could be perfect. But as it is, not quite. What I DO love about the yarn dispenser: * Pulls from the outside, so the yarn cakes don't collapse when you get towards the end. * I usually don't, but you could stick full skeins on here pretty easily and pull from the outside of those, too. * Helps keep tension even in stitches (usually-see below). * Easy to use. * Very lightweight and portable. * Little holes to add stitch markers are handy. * Affordable (although it cost more than I would expect to pay, given the materials it's made from and sheer simplicity of the item). * Lightly printed ruler on the base would be handy for checking gauge, although I haven't needed to use it (and would need very good light to see it). But still, a nice touch. What I DO NOT love about the yarn dispenser: * The turn isn't smooth out of the box. I have put baby oil, vaseline, etc under the spindle every so often to keep a consistently smooth turn. * It's non-skid base is basically some rubber stoppers on the bottom. Mine does sometimes skid because it is so lightweight when it snags (see below). I cut out a square of rubber shelf liner to set mine on to make it skid less. It helps. Some. * Those notches in bottom of the spindle - WHY for the love of all that is good did they add these? It does NOTHING for the functionality. All it does is give the yarn something to snag on and under during the turn process, tangling up, messing with my tension and slowing down my entire workflow. 99% of the frustrations I've had with this item is due those notches. I haven't done so yet, but am planning on covering them over with tape or something. This is my main complaint with the product. * When the yarn catches on the little notches in the spindle, if I don't notice it will sometimes flip the whole thing when then flies onto the floor. * I've tried multiple positions, etc. to avoid the yarn-snagging-on-the-spindle-notches issue. I've yet to master it completely although I can get it down enough that it's only a minor instead some of the time instead of major issue, every few minutes. * I don't have clue one what the "pattern holder" notch is all about. Like you're supposed to print out some paper, fold it up a bunch of times and stick in there or something? And that's somehow helpful? It kind of made me feel dumb, like it was supposed to be obvious but I had no idea. So it's not really a downside having something I don't use, but, what? Overall? The improvement in the process for when this works the way I want outweighs the frustration in practice of using it. I do like it and would probably buy more for multiple color projects...maybe. Once I get the notch issue fixed. But if I could find a similar functioning item without the notches, I'd be a lot more likely to buy that instead. Hope that helps!

This is a handy little gadget for *some* yarn balls/skeins, but not all. My biggest issue, by far, is that it's just TOO lightweight. If your yarn doesn't come off completely smoothly, the whole thing topples over, which after about the third time gets really frustrating. If they had just made the base heavier, it would be great. I have not had yarn catch on the slots of the spindle... Yet. But like others, I have to wonder why they are there at all? The "pattern holder" slot is completely useless. I somewhat resolved the toppling issue by sticking mounting putty ($1 at Dollar Tree) under the base and stick it to my table. The putty is removable, so it works for me. I shouldn't have to do this tho, they should just make the base heavier. I'm using it for now, but I would not purchase again.

Excelente producto! Me ha ayudado mucho con mis estambres, considero que lo más grande que puede soportar es una madeja de 30 cm o 12 pulgadas. Se fija bien, gira muy bien.

Needs weight on the base to keep it from toppling over all the time

Well weighted and spins smoothly hold the big cones of yarn perfectly.. this has made a huge difference in knitting with my Sentra Circular Knitting Machine.. no more tangles or knots and the yarn flows smoothly. Extremely well worth the money!

Item was received ok... i bought 3pcs, opened 1 for myself and it is very dirty like an old stock had to wipe it clean.. i cannot open the rest as it is meant for a gift. I am just hoping that ot does work well as intended.

I had been looking for a wool holder for ages, but hadn't been able to find one I liked - until I came across this one. It's so easy to use - and I got two, which is a bonus.