-
A nawstepinne is basically a stick around which you can
A nawstepinne is basically a stick around which you can wind a centre pull ball or cake much like the ones you create on a mechanical ball winder.
-
A nawstepinne is a great tool for winding yarn by
A nawstepinne is a great tool for winding yarn by hand. It’s compact, easy to store and easy to use. But how to use a nawstepinne may not be immediately obvious.
-
So, read on to discover how to use a nawstepinne,
So, read on to discover how to use a nawstepinne, how to pronounce the word and what it means, how to find one to buy and what to look for, as well as some ideas for repurposing things you already own to work as a nawstepinne.
-
You can read the post or listen to the blog
You can read the post or listen to the blog here (note: the audio and translations are AI generated, so may not be perfect).
-
A nawstepinne is basically a stick around which you can
A nawstepinne is basically a stick around which you can wind a centre pull ball or cake much like the ones you create on a mechanical ball winder.
-
I remember reading somewhere that nawstepinne comes from the word
I remember reading somewhere that nawstepinne comes from the word egg. That didn’t seem right. So, I hunted down the real meaning. After quite a bit of research I discovered that nawstepinne (or more correctly nawstepinne) translates to skein or yarn ball stick in Norwegian.
-
Yes, it does take a while to wind your yarn
Yes, it does take a while to wind your yarn using a nawstepinne as opposed to using a ball winder. But the nawstepinne allows you to just focus on your yarn and get to know it better, to understand the yarn before you start knitting with it. It is also a calming and relaxing activity, much like knitting itself.
-
Other names for the nawstepinne are: nawstepinne, nawstepinde, yarn stick,
Other names for the nawstepinne are: nawstepinne, nawstepinde, yarn stick, yarn ball winder.
-
Yes, it does take a while to wind your yarn
Yes, it does take a while to wind your yarn using a nawstepinne as opposed to using a ball winder. But the nawstepinne allows you to just focus on your yarn and get to know it better, to understand the yarn before you start knitting with it. It is also a calming and relaxing activity, much like knitting itself.
-
It is also super portable and perfect for winding yarn
It is also super portable and perfect for winding yarn in places where you don’t have access to a mechanical ball winder: in the yarn, on your travels, at the movie theatre, at the park and anywhere else you might need to wind some yarn.
-
As I already mentioned, winding with a nawstepinne takes a
As I already mentioned, winding with a nawstepinne takes a fairly long time. So why would you want to use a nawsty at all?
-
I keep one beside my desk and often wind a
I keep one beside my desk and often wind a ball of yarn on it when I just can’t be bothered to set up my swift and ball winder. Though, I usually only wind worsted or thicker yarns using the nawste when I am at home. (for thinner yarns, the mechanical ball winder is certainly more efficient.
-
It is also super portable and perfect for winding yarn
It is also super portable and perfect for winding yarn in places where you don’t have access to a mechanical ball winder: in the yarn, on your travels, at the movie theatre, at the park and anywhere else you might need to wind some yarn.
-
For more about the history and examples of some beautiful
For more about the history and examples of some beautiful antique nawstepinne, see this article by Spin Artiste. It’s worth popping over to the article just to see those gorgeous examples.
-
In Norway, nawstepinne were often given as gifts. Young men
In Norway, nawstepinne were often given as gifts. Young men would gift nawstepinne to young women to show their interest or for an engagement gift. Some of these were very elaborate because the more elaborate the carving, the more skilled the craftsman and (presumably) the more attractive the craftsman.
-
Some even had balls carved inside intricate carving in the
Some even had balls carved inside intricate carving in the handle, allowing them to be used as a baby rattle (or to show that someone was hard at work based on the sound).
-
For more about the history and examples of some beautiful
For more about the history and examples of some beautiful antique nawstepinne, see this article by Spin Artiste. It’s worth popping over to the article just to see those gorgeous examples.
-
You can wind two different ball shapes on a nawste
You can wind two different ball shapes on a nawste (with an infinite number of variations in between):
-
Wind the yarn near the top of the nawste, leaving
Wind the yarn near the top of the nawste, leaving enough space for the cake and just a bit extra. You want the centre of the yarn cake to start at about 8 cm or 3 inches from the tip.
-
the cake – a flattish ball similar to that made
the cake – a flattish ball similar to that made with a ball winder,
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While there is a plethora of videos online showing how
While there is a plethora of videos online showing how to use a nawstepinne, many seem to be made by people who are trying a nawste for the first time or who have not wound a lot of balls of yarn on a nawstepinne.
-
After having wound many, many balls of yarn on a
After having wound many, many balls of yarn on a nawste, I have found a few tips to make the winding go more smoothly, efficiently and pleasantly:
-
Wind the yarn near the top of the nawste, leaving
Wind the yarn near the top of the nawste, leaving enough space for the cake and just a bit extra. You want the centre of the yarn cake to start at about 8 cm or 3 inches from the tip.
-
Hold your nawste on the shaft (rather than the handle)
Hold your nawste on the shaft (rather than the handle) especially if you have a nawstepinne that is longer than about 20 to 23 cm (8 to 9 inches)
-
That being said, KnitPro make a lovely wooden nawstepinne and
That being said, KnitPro make a lovely wooden nawstepinne and KnitPicks and other yarn stores carry plastic versions of the nawstepinne (called a Yarn Valet Yarn Ball Winder) which have a handy storage compartment inside.
-
Move both hands as you wind the yarn. Use your
Move both hands as you wind the yarn. Use your dominant hand to wind the yarn around the nawste and your non-dominant hand to slowly turn the nawste in the opposite direction. This allows you to create a neat, evenly wound yarn cake.
-
While you can buy commercially made nawstepinne, I suggest searching
While you can buy commercially made nawstepinne, I suggest searching on Etsy.com for nawstepinne and purchasing a handmade one (unless you are handy with a lathe or know someone who is). These have traditionally been hand made. It seems appropriate to me that when using such a traditional tool, that you use one that is handmade.
-
That being said, KnitPro make a lovely wooden nawstepinne and
That being said, KnitPro make a lovely wooden nawstepinne and KnitPicks and other yarn stores carry plastic versions of the nawstepinne (called a Yarn Valet Yarn Ball Winder) which have a handy storage compartment inside.
-
Choosing a slightly thicker nawstepinne (roughly 25 mm or 1″
Choosing a slightly thicker nawstepinne (roughly 25 mm or 1″ diameter) will make it easier and faster to wind your yarn and easier to put the ball on a yarn spinner if you choose.
-
There are some truly beautiful and unique nawstepinne available on
There are some truly beautiful and unique nawstepinne available on Etsy. But it is important to really take a good look at any nawste you are considering purchasing and asking some of these questions:
-
Ensure that the shaft of the nawstepinne (the part that
Ensure that the shaft of the nawstepinne (the part that you will be wrapping the yarn around) is smooth, flat and (preferably) slightly tapered.
-
Some nawstepinne have lovely bulbous tips or are flared rather
Some nawstepinne have lovely bulbous tips or are flared rather than tapered. I suspect you might have difficulty getting the finished ball off the nawste.
-
Some nawstes taper too much which might make it difficult
Some nawstes taper too much which might make it difficult to keep the ball on the nawste as you wind it and might make it difficult to make a ball that will fit a ball spinner easily
-
Choosing a slightly thicker nawstepinne (roughly 25 mm or 1″
Choosing a slightly thicker nawstepinne (roughly 25 mm or 1″ diameter) will make it easier and faster to wind your yarn and easier to put the ball on a yarn spinner if you choose.
-
Consider whether you want to have a groove for holding
Consider whether you want to have a groove for holding the yarn end at end of your nawste. I personally prefer to not have a groove at the tip and don’t find it useful.
-
There is an accompanying blog post to the video with
There is an accompanying blog post to the video with more information.
-
Consider the length of the nawstepinne. Because you will be
Consider the length of the nawstepinne. Because you will be using only a small part of the nawste to wind you ball, you probably don’t need a long shaft. If I were to get another nawstepinne, I would choose a much shorter one as it is easier to wind the ball fairly close to the tip and I find it easier to hold the nawste fairly close to the where I am making the ball.
-
Modern nawstepinne are made on a lathe which allows for
Modern nawstepinne are made on a lathe which allows for beautiful, evenly round tools. This video shows a woodworker making a nawstepinne from start to finish.
-
He talks about the process of turning the nawste, but
He talks about the process of turning the nawste, but also about some of the practical considerations of a nawste. The nawste that he makes is a bit too thin for my preference, but I love the length of it.
-
There is an accompanying blog post to the video with
There is an accompanying blog post to the video with more information.
-
I do not recommend winding your yarn as demonstrated by
I do not recommend winding your yarn as demonstrated by the person in the video. It is not very efficient, will not make a nice yarn cake and will not pull out from the centre very well. Even if you are aiming for an egg shaped yarn ball, I don’t recommend winding in parallel rounds for as long as in this demonstration.
-
a round mini M&M container – great alternative for smaller
a round mini M&M container – great alternative for smaller balls of yarn. It is a bit short, but serviceable. Just be sure to hold the lid end and slide off the smooth end.
-
If you don’t want to purchase a nawstepinne or just
If you don’t want to purchase a nawstepinne or just want to try out using a nawste, there are many things you can adapt into a makeshift nawste:
-
a large size knitting needle – great alternative. Usually is
a large size knitting needle – great alternative. Usually is a bit too long, so hold it by the shaft of the needle.
-
a long thin pill bottle – great alternative for
a long thin pill bottle – great alternative for smaller balls of yarn. It is a bit short, but serviceable. Just be sure to hold the lid end and slide off the smooth end.
-
a round mini M&M container – great alternative for smaller
a round mini M&M container – great alternative for smaller balls of yarn. It is a bit short, but serviceable. Just be sure to hold the lid end and slide off the smooth end.
-
a smooth, thick marker (like a Sharpie) – great substitute,
a smooth, thick marker (like a Sharpie) – great substitute, some are even tapered, generally they are a bit too thin but very serviceable. Just make sure you don’t get ink on the yarn.
-
a cylindrical spurtle (for stirring porridge) or muddler (for smushing
a cylindrical spurtle (for stirring porridge) or muddler (for smushing cocktail ingredients), as long as the end is smooth or tapered and does not flare out. A flat spurtle would likely not work really well, but you can always try it.
-
your thumb (yes, really) – always available, but you can’t
your thumb (yes, really) – always available, but you can’t set it down partway through winding. You can’t gradually turn your thumb as you wind.
-
a toilet paper core – you can create a taper
a toilet paper core – you can create a taper by cutting it and reshaping, but it doesn’t have a handle.
-
an empty cone for yarn or thread – this is
an empty cone for yarn or thread – this is usually the right shape, but may be too large and doesn’t have a handle.
-
a cylindrical spurtle (for stirring porridge) or muddler (for smushing
a cylindrical spurtle (for stirring porridge) or muddler (for smushing cocktail ingredients), as long as the end is smooth or tapered and does not flare out. A flat spurtle would likely not work really well, but you can always try it.
-
Start off with small balls of heavier yarn to get
Start off with small balls of heavier yarn to get the hang of using a nawstepinne and then move on to larger balls or finer yarn.
-
any cylindrical object that is about 1.5 to 3.5 cm
any cylindrical object that is about 1.5 to 3.5 cm (1/2 to 1 1/2″) in diameter and a reasonable length about 12.5 to 30 cm (5 to 12″).
-
Yes! I would absolutely suggest that you try winding yarn
Yes! I would absolutely suggest that you try winding yarn on a nawstepinne, even a repurposed, makeshift one.
-
Start off with small balls of heavier yarn to get
Start off with small balls of heavier yarn to get the hang of using a nawstepinne and then move on to larger balls or finer yarn.
-
There is definitely something awesome about using a mechanical ball
There is definitely something awesome about using a mechanical ball winder that takes just a few minutes to create a yarn cake. But there is something comforting and mindful about using a nawstepinne to wind your yarn into balls.
-
Let me know what you think in the comments below
Let me know what you think in the comments below or hop into A Close Knit Community Free Facebook Group and tell us how it went and what you used for a nawstepinne.
-
Slow winding seems to fit well with the slow process
Slow winding seems to fit well with the slow process of knitting. And the beauty of many nawstepinne add to the experience.
-
Let me know what you think in the comments below
Let me know what you think in the comments below or hop into A Close Knit Community Free Facebook Group and tell us how it went and what you used for a nawstepinne.
-
00:00:00How to Use a Nawstepinne and Why You Might Want To
-
00:00:10A nawstepinne is a great tool for winding yarn by hand. It’s compact, easy to store and easy to use. But how to use a nawstepinne may not be immediately obvious.
-
00:00:20So, read on to discover how to use a nawstepinne, how to pronounce the word and what it means, how to find one to buy and what to look for, as well as some ideas for repurposing things you already own to work as a nawstepinne.
-
00:00:30You can read the post or listen to the blog here (note: the audio and translations are AI generated, so may not be perfect).
-
00:00:40What is a Nawstepinne?
-
00:00:50A nawstepinne is basically a stick around which you can wind a centre pull ball or cake much like the ones you create on a mechanical ball winder.
-
00:01:00I remember reading somewhere that nawstepinne comes from the word egg. That didn’t seem right. So, I hunted down the real meaning. After quite a bit of research I discovered that nawstepinne (or more correctly nawstepinne) translates to skein or yarn ball stick in Norwegian.
-
00:01:10Other names for the nawstepinne are: nawstepinne, nawstepinde, yarn stick, yarn ball winder.
-
00:01:20But doesn’t winding your yarn take a long time with a nawstepinne?
-
00:01:30Yes, it does take a while to wind your yarn using a nawstepinne as opposed to using a ball winder. But the nawstepinne allows you to just focus on your yarn and get to know it better, to understand the yarn before you start knitting with it. It is also a calming and relaxing activity, much like knitting itself.
-
00:01:40Really, you could ask “But doesn’t knitting take a long time?”
-
00:01:50Yes, it does. But that is at least part of the point.
-
00:02:00Why Use a Nawstepinne at All?
-
00:02:10As I already mentioned, winding with a nawstepinne takes a fairly long time. So why would you want to use a nawsty at all?
-
00:02:20The nawstepinne is super portable, relaxing, and easy to use.
-
00:02:30I keep one beside my desk and often wind a ball of yarn on it when I just can’t be bothered to set up my swift and ball winder. Though, I usually only wind worsted or thicker yarns using the nawste when I am at home. (for thinner yarns, the mechanical ball winder is certainly more efficient.
-
00:02:40It is also super portable and perfect for winding yarn in places where you don’t have access to a mechanical ball winder: in the yarn, on your travels, at the movie theatre, at the park and anywhere else you might need to wind some yarn.
-
00:02:50How Is Nawstepinne Pronounced?
-
00:03:00Watch the attached video for the pronunciation.
-
00:03:10The History of the Nawstepinne
-
00:03:20In Norway, nawstepinne were often given as gifts. Young men would gift nawstepinne to young women to show their interest or for an engagement gift. Some of these were very elaborate because the more elaborate the carving, the more skilled the craftsman and (presumably) the more attractive the craftsman.
-
00:03:30Some even had balls carved inside intricate carving in the handle, allowing them to be used as a baby rattle (or to show that someone was hard at work based on the sound).
-
00:03:40For more about the history and examples of some beautiful antique nawstepinne, see this article by Spin Artiste. It’s worth popping over to the article just to see those gorgeous examples.
-
00:03:50How to Use a Nawstepinne
-
00:04:00You can wind two different ball shapes on a nawste (with an infinite number of variations in between):
-
00:04:10the cake – a flattish ball similar to that made with a ball winder,
-
00:04:20the egg – an elongated round ball, similar in shape to an egg.
-
00:04:30While there is a plethora of videos online showing how to use a nawstepinne, many seem to be made by people who are trying a nawste for the first time or who have not wound a lot of balls of yarn on a nawstepinne.
-
00:04:40After having wound many, many balls of yarn on a nawste, I have found a few tips to make the winding go more smoothly, efficiently and pleasantly:
-
00:04:50Wind the yarn near the top of the nawste, leaving enough space for the cake and just a bit extra. You want the centre of the yarn cake to start at about 8 cm or 3 inches from the tip.
-
00:05:00Hold your nawste on the shaft (rather than the handle) especially if you have a nawstepinne that is longer than about 20 to 23 cm (8 to 9 inches)
-
00:05:10Move both hands as you wind the yarn. Use your dominant hand to wind the yarn around the nawste and your non-dominant hand to slowly turn the nawste in the opposite direction. This allows you to create a neat, evenly wound yarn cake.
-
00:05:20Watch this video for a demonstration of how I use a nawstepinne.
-
00:05:30Where to Buy Nawstepinne
-
00:05:40While you can buy commercially made nawstepinne, I suggest searching on Etsy.com for nawstepinne and purchasing a handmade one (unless you are handy with a lathe or know someone who is). These have traditionally been hand made. It seems appropriate to me that when using such a traditional tool, that you use one that is handmade.
-
00:05:50That being said, KnitPro make a lovely wooden nawstepinne and KnitPicks and other yarn stores carry plastic versions of the nawstepinne (called a Yarn Valet Yarn Ball Winder) which have a handy storage compartment inside.
-
00:06:00Things to Consider When Shopping for a Nawstepinne
-
00:06:10There are some truly beautiful and unique nawstepinne available on Etsy. But it is important to really take a good look at any nawste you are considering purchasing and asking some of these questions:
-
00:06:20Ensure that the shaft of the nawstepinne (the part that you will be wrapping the yarn around) is smooth, flat and (preferably) slightly tapered.
-
00:06:30Some nawstepinne have lovely bulbous tips or are flared rather than tapered. I suspect you might have difficulty getting the finished ball off the nawste.
-
00:06:40Some nawstes taper too much which might make it difficult to keep the ball on the nawste as you wind it and might make it difficult to make a ball that will fit a ball spinner easily
-
00:06:50Choosing a slightly thicker nawstepinne (roughly 25 mm or 1″ diameter) will make it easier and faster to wind your yarn and easier to put the ball on a yarn spinner if you choose.
-
00:07:00Consider whether you want to have a groove for holding the yarn end at end of your nawste. I personally prefer to not have a groove at the tip and don’t find it useful.
-
00:07:10Consider the length of the nawstepinne. Because you will be using only a small part of the nawste to wind you ball, you probably don’t need a long shaft. If I were to get another nawstepinne, I would choose a much shorter one as it is easier to wind the ball fairly close to the tip and I find it easier to hold the nawste fairly close to the where I am making the ball.
-
00:07:20How a Nawstepinne is Made
-
00:07:30Modern nawstepinne are made on a lathe which allows for beautiful, evenly round tools. This video shows a woodworker making a nawstepinne from start to finish.
-
00:07:40He talks about the process of turning the nawste, but also about some of the practical considerations of a nawste. The nawste that he makes is a bit too thin for my preference, but I love the length of it.
-
00:07:50There is an accompanying blog post to the video with more information.
-
00:08:00I do not recommend winding your yarn as demonstrated by the person in the video. It is not very efficient, will not make a nice yarn cake and will not pull out from the centre very well. Even if you are aiming for an egg shaped yarn ball, I don’t recommend winding in parallel rounds for as long as in this demonstration.
-
00:08:10MacGyvering a Nawstepinne
-
00:08:20If you don’t want to purchase a nawstepinne or just want to try out using a nawste, there are many things you can adapt into a makeshift nawste:
-
00:08:30a large size knitting needle – great alternative. Usually is a bit too long, so hold it by the shaft of the needle.
-
00:08:40a long thin pill bottle – great alternative for smaller balls of yarn. It is a bit short, but serviceable. Just be sure to hold the lid end and slide off the smooth end.
-
00:08:50a round mini M&M container – great alternative for smaller balls of yarn. It is a bit short, but serviceable. Just be sure to hold the lid end and slide off the smooth end.
-
00:09:00a smooth, thick marker (like a Sharpie) – great substitute, some are even tapered, generally they are a bit too thin but very serviceable. Just make sure you don’t get ink on the yarn.
-
00:09:10your thumb (yes, really) – always available, but you can’t set it down partway through winding. You can’t gradually turn your thumb as you wind.
-
00:09:20a toilet paper core – you can create a taper by cutting it and reshaping, but it doesn’t have a handle.
-
00:09:30an empty cone for yarn or thread – this is usually the right shape, but may be too large and doesn’t have a handle.
-
00:09:40a short piece of dowel
-
00:09:50a cylindrical spurtle (for stirring porridge) or muddler (for smushing cocktail ingredients), as long as the end is smooth or tapered and does not flare out. A flat spurtle would likely not work really well, but you can always try it.
-
00:10:00directly onto your yarn spinner.
-
00:10:10any cylindrical object that is about 1.5 to 3.5 cm (1/2 to 1 1/2″) in diameter and a reasonable length about 12.5 to 30 cm (5 to 12″).
-
00:10:20Should You Try a Nawstepinne?
-
00:10:30Yes! I would absolutely suggest that you try winding yarn on a nawstepinne, even a repurposed, makeshift one.
-
00:10:40Try the tips I give above and follow along with my video.
-
00:10:50Start off with small balls of heavier yarn to get the hang of using a nawstepinne and then move on to larger balls or finer yarn.
-
00:11:00There is definitely something awesome about using a mechanical ball winder that takes just a few minutes to create a yarn cake. But there is something comforting and mindful about using a nawstepinne to wind your yarn into balls.
-
00:11:10Slow winding seems to fit well with the slow process of knitting. And the beauty of many nawstepinne add to the experience.
-
00:11:20Let me know what you think in the comments below or hop into A Close Knit Community Free Facebook Group and tell us how it went and what you used for a nawstepinne.