Yarn Meter Plus

Introduced Fall 2007

$69.99

The new Version 2 Yarn Meter Plus is the latest variant of our Yarn Meter Plus line. It adds a custom designed metal yarn guide wireform to the design. Although the Version 1 design worked well, the new Version 2 design works even better.

The metal wireform provides a smoother entry point for the yarn and increases the number of angles that the yarn can enter from.  

During the first 2 years of producing over 4,000 Yarn Meters for the market, we discovered that a certain percentage of users had difficulty in applying the proper amount of tension to their yarn while using the meter. This often times resulted in an inaccurate meter reading.

Although we had previously developed a great Yarn Tensioner specifically to resolve this issue, some users were hesitant to purchase another item to help solve their measuring problem.

We then set out to develop a single, lower cost unit for those buyers who needed help in controlling tension.

The Yarn Meter Plus was developed and introduced in June 2006. In incorporates an integrated tensioner design with the Yarn Meter.

The user can now apply varying levels of tension to their yarn when using the meter and help to ensure an accurate reading across the meter head.

The user simply weaves their yarn through the tensioner section before inserting it into the meter (the yarn must be tensioned BEFORE the meter, never after).

The Yarn Meter Plus also provides the user with a fully functional tensioner also. This can be used without the yarn meter. When using a swift and a ball winder, simply guide the yarn through the tensioner, weave it around whatever number of dowels that you desire to add the appropriate level of tension,  and then attach to your ball winder. Often times, it allows you to do "hands free" ballwinding

Don't be confused by look-alike units that copied our award winning design. Click here for the reasons to buy our unit.

Here are some system highlights:

• An affordable price of $69.99
• Yarn weights - the system will handle most yarn weights. It will even work with certain ribbon yarns.
• The clamping system allows the unit to be attached to a table, spinning wheel, loom, or other surface. The Clamp mounting hole is off-center which allows you to reverse the meter position if there is interference on your table surface. The clamp can be removed and inserted into the other side to rotate the yarn guide slot to the opposite side. The system is completely flexible. It will fit table thicknesses from 1/2" to 1-3/4" (it will even fit 2" thick tables if you remove the vinyl feet from the bottom of the meter). 
• It utilizes a cost efficient meter that measures lengths in feet as opposed to yards. The meter can be removed for storage during transit and can be easily and inexpensively replaced if necessary. Meter measures to 999 and then continues from 000 again. The meter has a handy reset button.
• An innovative wooden guide system for guiding the yarn through the meter portion. This design allows you to remove the yarn if necessary, without having to break the yarn.
• Ribbon Yarn Handling - the system significantly eliminates the ribbon yarn twisting problem provided that the meter is used while knitting (please note that we do not recommend that you rely on the yardage measurement that is created when using the meter in this manner). It does this by "capturing" the vast majority of yarn twist on the "yarn supply" side of the meter assembly which results in a significant reduction in the amount of yarn twist that occurs on the "knitter" side of the meter assembly.
• When packing up, both the clamp and the meter are attached to the mounting dowel and tightened and all of the parts are then secure and tight.
• Measures 11" long by 2" wide and 3-1/4" high. Clamp block is made of a non-marring plastic. Vinyl mounting pads are mounted on the underside of the wooden base.

 

Tips on Using the Meter

and knowledgebase - click here

Meter Location - The meter can be located anywhere (higher, lower or even with the yarn source). The same is true for the yarn destination (i.e. ball winder, niddy noddy, etc.).

The unit is made from Birch and Maple hardwoods.

Purchase Here

 

Yarn Meter Plus with Wooden Base complete, oil finish

$69.99 Retail

 

Order a Yarn Meter Plus here:

 

Spare Parts

Table Clamp Assembly

"L" Bolt, Clamp Block, wing nut (limit of 1)

Note: this is already included with the meter assy. This unit is for anyone who needs to replace a lost clamp assy. $5.50

Note: this meter is used in the fishing industry to measure fishing line. It has been produced in high volume for years.  We modify the meter to better accommodate yarn. Although you can purchase replacement meters in sporting goods stores that look identical to ours, you may experience more yarn jams with such units. We recommend always buying replacement meters from Nancy's Knit Knacks.

This webpage will list some of the findings that we have made relative to using the Yarn Meter by NKK. Our little meter is affordable but because of this, it does have its idiosyncrasies like any engineered product that is expected to handle many applications. By knowing what these issues are in advance, however, our customers are forewarned and will know how to avoid them and to make the best use of the Yarn Meter. For a complete and current list of Tips, please download the pdf document listed above.

As we learn more about how our customers use the meter, we will list them here. If you own our meter, you should check this webpage periodically for ideas and tips. Feel free to send us your ideas or issues and we will list them here.

Click here to send us an email

Yarns which can cause problems

1. Lumpy yarns - will not pass through housing of meter. If you feel hard lumpy sections in the yarn, do not use with the meter.
2. Wide ribbon yarns - will not sit properly in the drive wheel of the meter and will pop out. try to limit the width of ribbon yarn to 1/4" or less
3. Thick and Thin - large, thick sections will cause the meter to slow down and possibly stop or jam. Our worse jams have been the result of using thick ' thin yarns. We do not recommend these yarns.

Where is the best place to position your yarn to be measured:

On the floor below the meter. Preferably, with a center pull yarn ball. This creates an ideal tension for the yarn.

What conditions to avoid?

Yarn balls which are tangled or too tight and will not pull correctly.

We have noticed that the ball winder becomes the "victim" to some of these conditions (the gears grind, etc.). This becomes a good early warning system that something is wrong. Also, if your yarn is wrapping too tightly on the ball winder, then this is a function of the yarn being too tight as it enters the meter. The meter does not put any tension per se on the yarn - the yarn simply passes through. Any tension problems that you have will be caused by something affecting the yarn before it enters the meter.

What does it mean when the meter is running backward?

It can be two different issues.

#1, you are running the meter in the opposite direction. This is OK if you want to do this. However, to correct it, simply rotate the meter 180° and the meter will read correctly.

#2, this is a major problem. What has happened is that the yarn has popped off the drive wheel and it has gone underneath the drive wheel and although it is still driving  the meter, it is going backward. You will need to remove the front cover of the meter (a #0 phillips screw driver is needed to remove the one screw on the bottom underneath yarn slot). Once the cover is off, simply pull the yarn out from under the wheel and clear the problem. Re-attach the cover, insert the yarn and throw the lever, and you are ready to use the meter again.

The meter seems to have stopped measuring even though the yarn is passing through

What has happened is that the yarn has popped out of the drive wheel. Lower the lever and remove the yarn, then re-insert it carefully and throw the lever. It should then be OK.

If there is a jam, you will have to remove the screw in the bottom and inspect the inside of the meter. Clear jam and re-assemble. If you experience a lot of jams with a particular yarn, you may leave the front cover off of the meter and then you can clear jams more readily.

While you are using the meter, watch it to see if it is measuring properly. That way, if anything does go wrong, you can immediately stop measuring and correct the problem. Once you become familiar with its use, you can stop monitoring as often.

What is the small knob on the end of the meter used for?

This is tensioning knob and is used to provide more or less tension to the internal clamp that grabs the yarn when you throw the lever. We set it to maximum because we do not want you to have the clamp fly off too easily. Feel free to adjust it. Do not over-tighten it.

What tools do I need to have handy to use the meter?

Always have a #0 Phillips screw driver available to open the case and clear a jam.

Footage versus yardage meter

Because we did not design the meter mechanism, we have had to accept the footage versus yardage measurements. Just remember to divide the number measured by 3 to get yards. If you are measuring a large ball, it may go beyond 999 so simply remember to add that number plus 999 and then divide by 3.

We have run the meter with a wide variety of yarns. In the majority of cases, the meter runs well and you will enjoy using it. Just be careful to note the items contained above.