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Permalink Reply by DolyDimple on March 23, 2008 at 11:53am: When do the Spring catalogs go out? I've requested a catalog a few times, but have never received one. I want to make sure I don't miss the new one.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on March 26, 2008 at 7:15am: Sure! Our "April" catalog is due to arrive in homes on March 27th, and our "May" catalog is due in homes on May 8th. These are estimates - you might receive yours a day or two on either end of the given date.

The best way to make sure you're on the catalog mailing list is to call Customer Service at 1.800.574.1323. They can look you up and tell you right away!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by mmh7126 on May 13, 2008 at 1:27pm: Thanks.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by d'straction on March 23, 2008 at 12:40pm: I am stumped with how to download a pattern that I ordered and paid for. I ordered the Men's Convertible Fingerless Gloves, have an invoice, and order number 726492. I have been unable to find any instructions on how to get it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by d'straction on March 23, 2008 at 1:18pm: I figured it out! Should I say, I finally checked my email and found the email with the link. Boy do I feel dumb! Very Simple!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on March 24, 2008 at 8:21am: Glad you got it! If you ever have a problem, though, you can always call Customer Service at 1.800.574.1323. They answer questions like this all of the time!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Skburger on August 18, 2008 at 9:30am: Sorry to ask this question on the back of another, but I cannot see how to begin a new subject. My sister has an alpaca and llama farm. She sent her fleece of to a mill to be spun into yarn. She recieved the yarn back on cones rather than skeins.. I seem to remember reading that this is not a good way to store yarn for hand knitting, and that it should be skeined before balled to allow the fiber to relax. Is this true?
Thanks
Susanna; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on August 25, 2008 at 7:51am: You're right, skeins and tightly-wound balls tend to stretch the fiber in the yarn and leave it a little limp. Winding the yarn into skeins will allow the fibers to rest in their natural, not-stressed state. If she's putting yarn into long-term storage, it may be best to wind it into skeins before putting it away. I would check an see how tightly the yarn is wound onto the cones before doing any additional work, though. If it's wound gently, it may be ok.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lainyknits on February 17, 2009 at 2:53pm: Hi Susanna,

You may want to look into "umbrella swifts" and "ball winders" on the internet. Knitters Review Dot Com
has good explanations of what these tools are used for, plus discussions by members. I got mine when I was hand spinning, years ago. Through several cross country moves and much unloading of extraneous "stuff" I would never let go of these two treasures.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on February 17, 2009 at 3:05pm: Susanna,
I totally agree. I bought a ball winder last winter, and my husband bought me a swift for my birthday. I don't use them daily or anythng, but it sure makes dealing with large amounts of yarn a lot easier. The first thing I did with the ball winder was to organize all of those small amounts of yarn left over from projects.
And if you purchase a hank of yarn (and some come that way), having both makes winding a ball a lot easier. These are two priceless items for a handknitter to own.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by palsknitto on May 6, 2009 at 10:10am: I don't use my swift often , but sure is nice when I do, winding yards of yarn is so much easier, now I need to get a ball winder, remembering when yarn came in hanks and what a trial to make it into balls, Irene; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sewcrazy on March 12, 2009 at 10:30pm: A yarn winder is a must. Knitpicks has a new one that is very reasonable. I don't have a swift yet, but I just wrap the hank around my little boy and put him on the spinny stool and we have a ball going around and around and around......gulp; ▶ Reply to This