We read on Ravelry that some people were using a fishing line counter for measuring yarn.  Then, before we bought one, we learned that they aren’t accurate or become less accurate over time.  So, we started looking for another solution and read about the measuring wheel method, inspired by devices like this:

• Babe’s - http://www.babesfibergarden.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=65&category_id=10&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=63
   
• Leclerc - http://www.woolery.com/store/pc/Yarn-Meter-LeClerc-p1828.htm

(take a peek now…aren’t they nifty???)

Here are the do-it-yourself instructions that we found on the internet:

• The Hello Yarn version - http://www.helloyarn.com/yardagecounter/yardagecounter.htm
• The Two Sheep Version - http://www.twosheep.com/blog/?p=273

(again…take a look…very nifty!)

And now…ta da…the GooseVersion!!!!

Supply List:

• Rolatape Measure Master MM-12 (Single Wheel) (4" Diameter)  - We got ours at Amazon for <$35
  Important purchase note – there are at least 2 versions of this device – one is in meters and centimeters and the other is in ft and inches.   Ours is in ft and inches but boy is that confusing because we now have to divide by 3 to get yards.  We might have been happier with meters and centimeters and converting to yards from there. It’s up to you…
• 2”x4” = we used 26”
• Lots of little scraps of wood
• One 18” tie wrap
• Scraps of 2mm FunFoam
• Misc screws/glue
• Drill/saw/sander/needle nose pliers
• 12”x9” thin plywood for a base
• Large Paper clips for yarn guides
• Clamps to attach your device to the table
• 1/4” thick foam weatherstripping, 1/2” wide
• 3M Heavy Duty doublestick tape
• Optional – Gaffer’s tape

Note:  If you want to assemble this the way we did, you will need some basic carpentry skills and tools.  Please use appropriate safety measures.  If you don’t know how to use the tools safely, please don’t do this project.   You could try to use the velcro method which requires far less carpentry.

Rough steps:

1. Cut 2”x4” into a strip 12” long and two pieces 7” long. 
   
   The 7” pieces are the legs and you’ll want to adjust your leg height based on the height of your ball winder’s yarn guide.  You want your yarn meter’s yarn guides to be at the same height as your ball winder’s yarn guide.   Adjust your leg height accordingly.
    
2. Attach the legs to the 12” piece of wood
3. Attach the plywood base to the other side of the legs
4. Remove the handle from the Measure Master (just unscrew the set screw then wiggle the handle out of the hole in the plastic)
5. Attach the measuring device with wheel to the center of the 12” piece of 2”x4”.   We built a wood casing lined with funfoam to protect the measuring device.
   
   Important note: we now realize that we could have just used industrial strength adhesive Velcro.   It’s at the Home Depot, look for industrial strength.  It doesn’t matter which side goes on the wood and which side goes on the device.  Just use it like double stick tape.   You COULD glue the device to the wood…but for some reason, we just don’t like that idea…    ?
    
6. Use the tie wrap to wrap around the wood and the device to hold it in. 
   
   If you use the velcro, we recommend that you drill some holes through the 2x4 to allow at least one additional tie wrap around the device.
    
7. Clean the wheel with Windex or other cleaner/degreaser
    
8. Attach the 3M heavy duty tape to the sticky side of the weather stripping.  You’re doing this because the adhesive on the weather stripping isn’t sticky enough to stay on the wheel!   Now, cut the weather stripping/tape combo into 1/4” wide by 13” long.   The wheel is approx 12” around but allow some extra to trim it exactly to fit.
    
9. Attach strips of tape/weather stripping to each side of the wheel.  Trim the ends as straight as possible
   
   We tried the bracelet method and the bracelets lasted all of 2 days before they snapped.  This is when we had to try weather stripping.     Also, we have high humidity here and many tapes don’t stick….we have almost every variation possible!   This is why we used the gaffer’s tape.  It’s a fabric based tape, similar to duct tape but doesn’t leave a residue.  We use it everywhere where we don’t want the sticky of duct tape left behind.  Duct Tape is stronger…but gaffer’s tape is great!   Ok…so we tore strips of gaffer’s tape 1/4” wide and 13” long and put it on top of the weather stripping overlapping at the seam.  This should keep our weather stripping on the wheel for nearly forever! 
    
10. Bend the large paperclips into yarn guides as shown.  Note that the hole in the guide should be as wide as the space on the wheel between the strips weather stripping (should be 1/2” wide).  You will need to attach the yarn guide so that it is aligned with that space – this is so that the guide ensures that the yarn stays in that space and doesn’t try to jump out of the wheel.
     
11. Drill holes in the wood and glue your paperclips in
     
12. Clamp your measuring thing to your table.  Take note that the wheel must turn clockwise.   So, as you look at the wheel, the yarn must enter on the right and exit on the left.
     
13. Enjoy your yarn measuring device. 

Click on the pictures to make them bigger

 Play the threading video here: