EZ Bobs--Yippee

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

Remember when everyone was telling what they included in their tatting bags and EZ Bobs were mentioned? Finally, after all of this time and after looking in all of the usual stores I found them (in great abundance) on Ebay. They are wonderful! I use them to store leftover thread, I load them and use them instead of the ball of thread and then if I have to I can even tat a little with them. My problem is as usual, where to buy things locally. Would they be in a specialty shop and if so what kind. There is not such a thing as a tatting shop in Florida that I know of.

[xstchntat]

Thanks I may have to invest in some of those now that I know where to look.

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

If someone asked you what they look like, they are just like Spoolies but almost clear plastic instead of pink. Most of you girls are too young to remember them. They were for curling your hair back in the 60's--when they still did pin curls...never mind, I should have had a glass of wine instead of the tea!

[PattyD]

Spoolies look just like the container that the solder wipe came in when I worked at the phone company. I was a tech and used the braid to soak up melted solder. They are the perfect size for small lengths of thread, and they snap shut so no unrolling thread (thread spools are you listening?

[carolivy]

I found them here on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/EZ-BOB-Knitting-Bobbins-Small/dp/B001AEEPHE They are kind of interesing looking.

[Jon Yusoff]

I love my EZ-bobs. I may have to start looking for some more seeing that the ones that I have are almost utilised.

[Maureen L]

I found them in a needlework shop - apparently they are used in kumihomo braiding, so have a look at places selling tapestries and cords for braiding.

[sunshine1977]

I get mine at my local knitting/crochet/yarn store. Knitters use them for intarsia (sp?) work. Also, they come in three different sizes. The small size holds 50 yds of size 40 thread perfectly, medium size holds 50 yds of size 20. I use them to store my hand dyed threads that some from the dyer in a hank.

[BlueDode]

I purchased my Easy Bobs at my knitting machine dealers: they are used for intarsia knitting by machine as well as by hand. Try craft stores, too, that have knitting departments. Good luck!

[Lace-lovin' Librarian]

If you're looking for them in quantity, I found them here (http://www.ecrater.com/p/7765864/72-ez-bob-bobbin-1875-weaving-kumihimo). I got a little carried away and ordered 144! Now that I think about it, that might not be enough...

[MARIEJ]

I found them in a store that sells beads here in FL. They only had the one size, but would probably order other sizes if I requested them to.

[Jon Yusoff]

If you're looking for them in quantity, I found them here (http://www.ecrater.com/p/7765864/72-ez-bob-bobbin-1875-weaving-kumihimo). I got a little carried away and ordered 144! Now that I think about it, that might not be enough...

:shock: 144 and still not enough?
And I cannot even place an order because they don't ship to Malaysia.:sad: Never mind, I'll keep searching somewhere else.

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

Hi, Marie,
Was it a privately owned store or part of a chain? Did you think when you taught me to tat that it would be an everyday part of my life?

Thanks again

[Marty]

:shock: 144 and still not enough?
And I cannot even place an order because they don't ship to Malaysia.:sad: Never mind, I'll keep searching somewhere else.

Jon -- that's so unfair! Let me look into the shipping costs to Malaysia. I could purchase them and send 'em on -- maybe we could use Paypal? I'll look at the possibilities from this end.

[Susan B T]

I have received some in thread exchanges. They are handy!

[BahmaTerri]

I have some too and love them! Got them online at http://lacis.com/catalog/ At Lacis, they're under Thread Holders. They hold a lot of thread, are easy to carry, and you can even tat with them if you have to.

6208

[LadyDoc]

A tool I've never seen or heard of before. HMMM.... some MORE shopping tonight????

[crazytatter]

Thank you for this tip. I never even know these existed. definitely will check craft stores first

[Imoshen]

I found this site for EZ bobs http://www.3stitches.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=756
So far it seems to be the cheapest place to get them. They carry two sizes small and what they call large, but turns out to be medium. They're only .25 cents USD each!

[Marie N]

My friend gave me a couple of small EZ Bob and I fell in LOVE with them. I have since bought lots more from USA. They come in different sizes but I found that I like the small ones best. I used them for tatting with beads, store my silk ribbons and even my fine chains/necklaces so they don't get tangled. Best invention ever.

[carolivy]

I ordered a pack of them from Nordic Needle. Just waiting for my order to get here now. ;-)

[TeresaW]

What is lovely about the EZ Bobs, and this may have been mentioned previously, they snap together atop one another ... at least the large and small ones do. I also like to add an ID tag to the EZ Bob when I wind one from a large ball or the "tail ends" of a ball. The ID tag could a piece of paper with the thread information, i.e., manufacturer, color ID and the size of the thread. That way, when I go back to my bag, I can identify what materials I am using in any project or testing.

[rsmre]

I remember Spoolies, but mine were blue.

[Imoshen]

I just ordered a batch of 20 of both sizes available from the website I posted. With shipping, 40 Ez bobs came out to $16 USD. I wonder if I should have ordered more? I plan to use them for my HDT that I purchase from others as well as those few size 80 threads I still have laying around. Now all that's left to do is find my label machine because my handwriting can get so bad sometimes..lol..

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

I just ordered a batch of 20 of both sizes available from the website I posted. With shipping, 40 Ez bobs came out to $16 USD. I wonder if I should have ordered more? I plan to use them for my HDT that I purchase from others as well as those few size 80 threads I still have laying around. Now all that's left to do is find my label machine because my handwriting can get so bad sometimes..lol..

That's what I thought when I ordered mine but I find that because my left-over thread is so easy to get to, I use it! That's a big swap for me...and it makes me feel better not to waste thread.

[MARIEJ]

Hi Laura,
I found my E-Z Bobs @ the Bead Strand in Jasmine Square Plaza. They are located on SR 200 and 6oth. So next time you are in town check them out.
Marie

[carolivy]

I ordered a lot of E-Z Bobs off Ebay (144 to be exact...lol) They work out to approximately $.34 each with shipping included.

[TatRose]

So this is a dumb question from a newbie--what are EZ bobs used for? Do you re-wind your thread onto them, and like spools they have a notch that just keeps the thread from unwinding?

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

So this is a dumb question from a newbie--what are EZ bobs used for? Do you re-wind your thread onto them, and like spools they have a notch that just keeps the thread from unwinding?

It is a flip top bobbin that not only holds thread, it protects it. They are very handy for storing extra thread in a small travel pack and for "off-loading" thread from your shuttle. Here's a picture. Hope you get some because you'll love having them.
http://halcyonyarn.com/images_products/70200010.jpg (http://halcyonyarn.com/images_products_large/70200010.jpg)

[gahorsley]

Would Michael's or Hobby Lobby carry these in their knitting section? I've never seen them at Hobby Lobby, but then again I have never looked for them either. Must look next week I guess.

[mcoperryl@gmail.com]

Would Michael's or Hobby Lobby carry these in their knitting section? I've never seen them at Hobby Lobby, but then again I have never looked for them either. Must look next week I guess.
I got mine from an Ebay dealer because Joann's didn't have them. I checked on-line at Hobby Lobby and didn't see them there but that was a while back. If you look through this thread I think there is some more information on them. Actually, mine are small enough that I can tat with them.

[carolivy]

I got another lot off ebay as well. I just LOVE these!

[NewfieCatt]

Those look really cool....

[Bunny]

I've managed to find a local seller for these wonders (at least to the OMG Rush Hour on 95 folks in MD) at All About Yarn (http://allaboutyarn.com/). Sadly, they don't have much of anything tatting related except some lace weight yarns, but the lady I spoke with was very nice and helpful.

[PattyD]

Well, at least they have the EZ bobs! For making a scarf, the silk or bamboo in a lace weight would be fabulous!

[Bunny]

@PattyD - I've already got too many shelves filled with supplies! DH would kill me (more like shake his head, shrug and sigh heavily) if I came home with yet MORE yarn. ;)