Can you use a yarn ball winder without a swift?

[Jempast]

I am going to be buying a yarn ball yarn and do you have to have the yarn swift to use a yarn ball winder?

[crochetluvknot]

I use mine all by its self but from what I hear it makes the hanks of yarn easier to work from a swift.

[Jempast]

I use mine all by its self but from what I hear it makes the hanks of yarn easier to work from a swift.

 

Thanks for your input.

[Ashley3121]

I have used my winder with and without the swift. If I have a really bad skein that keeps getting tangled I will untangle it and put it on the swift and the wind it from the swift to the winder. If you get the chance using a 50% coupon from Jo Ann's I find it worth the purchase especially when you have really difficult yarn.

[losingmymind2]

The swift is nice, but you can use the back of a straight chair or the arms of a willing friend for yarns that come in hanks. Never try to use it from a hank because you'll end up with a big mess. For already in pull skein yarns, I wind on the winder to check for knots, etc before using. If I find a knot or bad spot, I cut it out; make a slipknot with two long tails and go on my way making the ball if I don't want to stop with smaller balls.

[Rabbit9]

I don't use a swift with mine either. :rabbit9