Hi all.  For anyone interested, I am posting instructions for building a skein winder out of PVC pipe.  Someone on ravelry was interested and wanted to share a link for some fellow knitters who are not on ravelry yet.  Hope this helps.





INSTRUCTIONS:

 If you are going to use a handle or crank, get that part first.  Make sure the handle can be screwed onto a bolt.  Bring the handle with you to the hardware store to see what width of bolt you need.

Get these additional parts:

For the swift part:
  One long piece of PVC pipe (I used 1/2 inch diameter)
  One cross shaped ("slip" instead of the kind that have to be threaded) PVC connector (for middle)
  4 PVC Tee shaped slip connectors
  4 PVC Elbow shaped slip connectors *** make sure all of the connectors are the same diameter of your pipe***

For the stand (you could use wood here instead if you want):
  1 long piece 1 1/2 inch wide PVC pipe
  4 1 1/2 inch Tee shaped PVC connectors

Hardware needed:
  5 1/2 inch bolt of whatever width your handle requires (mine was 5/16 mm)
  2 flat washers that fit bolt
  2 Hex nuts that fit bolt
  2 nylon (or metal) spacers 1 inch long

    Also, you will need some glue that will adhere to PVC pipe so that you can glue the pieces together.

To assemble:

Using a hand saw, cut 4 pieces of PVC pipe for the four arms of the swift, 4 shorter pieces for the part the yarn will wrap on and if you are making a stand with the PVC cut those pieces, too.

I don't have a diagram, so I would suggest just looking at the picture and, using the appropriate glue, glue the swift part together.

Assemble stand if making.

Then, you will need a drill with a bit that will work on PVC pipe (if you don't have the right bit, you can buy one for about $5).

Drill a hole that is the same size as your bolt into the middle of the cross slip PVC connector.  Also, drill the same size hole into the stand where you want the swift to hang.

Finally assemble in this order:

1.bolt
2. nut
3. washer
4. through swift
5. washer
6. bolt

Tighten the bolts.

Then add two spacers before putting the bolt through the stand and cap it all off by screwing on the handle.

That's it!!

   
This cost about $10 to make.

About $7 for PVC pipe and hardware.
$3 for the handle, which came from a Sno-Cone maker I found at the thrift store.

edit:  See post 7 here for a proposed modification.

Ruby Tuesday -- that color is gorgeous!  I look forward to seeing your completed FO using it.

I just finished Robin Dodge's Runway Bolero (http://www.metapostmodernknitting.com/RunwayBolero/tabid/66/Default.aspx)
 I really like it!!  I used various cottons from thrift store sweaters.  I think it will be great for spring.

Here is my latest.  The yarn is 85% silk/15% cashmere and it is VERY VERY soft.  I love it.  I wish I would remember to take a before picture, but the sweater was a plain stockinette men's pullover.

This is Calla ( Magknits pattern) -- with a couple of modifications.http://www.magknits.com/Apr06/patterns/calla.htm

Motleycruiser, I love the hat.  I prefer the right side look -- but it's cool either way.

Here's my latest made from an unraveled thrift store sweater.  It's  a very soft lambswool angora blend yarn.  I was inspired by Magknits Stargazer pattern, although I went in a bit of different direction.

Here are two of my completed projects using recycled yarn. 

First Cherie Amour (100% merino, dyed with Kool-aid and Wilton's icing):



Next, Sweater of many buttons (100% merino, dyed with Wilton's -- it was a drabby pink before)



The creative process of using recycled yarn is worth it.  If the yarn is a bit faded,  dye can help brighten it up a bit.

I finally finished my sweater of many buttons.  For those of you not familar with the pattern, here's the link: http://ohmystars.net/craft/knitting/pbuttony.html

It turned out a bit shorter on me -- I'm not sure why, but I'm very happy with it.



YARN:  100% merino, unraveled from a thrift store sweater and dyed with Wilton's icing dye

The buttons are from a raincoat purchased from the thrift store ($2 cost)

I really like the VS version:



Does anyone have any idea how to do that top cable band, so that it runs continuously across the chest and both arms, but then appears to cut into the underarms also? 

I'm planning to come up with my own pattern, but can't figure this part out.

Fishie -- that looks great!  Nice colors.

Here's mine:

wisegirl -- I do most of my knitting using recycled thrift store sweaters.  I wind all my yarn into hanks and then wash them before knitting.  Although the kink will not make any difference in the long run -- i find that it makes it easier to judge from a swatch how well the yarn works for a particular pattern.  Also, I can't wait to get everything washed!!

Here are two I am working on right now:

Cherie Amour (recycled very soft chunky merino)-- dyed by me




Sweater of many buttons (also recycled merino):

Here's my progress so far: