How to Wind a Yarn Ball by Hand

Co-authored by Lois Wade and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: September 15, 2023 References

Do you have a skein or hank of yarn that keeps getting tangled whenever you try to knit or crochet? Winding your own yarn ball can solve this crafty problem! Tidying up yarn can be a game-changer when it comes to yarn projects—it keeps your space organized and allows you to unravel yarn without creating knots. In this article, we’ll show you 4 nifty ways you can wind a yarn ball by hand.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using the Finger Wrap Technique

Download Article

1
Pinch the yarn between your thumb and forefinger. Hold the string just above the end, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of excess. The longer end of the yarn can be placed in a bowl or on a table while you wind. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If a friend or family member is with you, ask them to hold the yarn skein in-between their arms for a smoother wind.
2
Wrap the long end of the yarn around your fingers. Use your free hand to wind the longer end of the string (the piece connected to the rest of your skein or hank) around the ends of your fingers. Wrap the string 20 to 30 times until you have a thick roll of yarn around your fingers. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Spread your fingers slightly apart while you wind, so the roll doesn’t get too tight. ^{[3]
  X
  Research source}
- Keep the yarn from falling off your fingers by wrapping it between your knuckles and fingertips.
Advertisement
Press the middle of the roll together with the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, and pull gently until the hand you were wrapping is free. Then, place the roll in your palm and wrap your thumb and pointer finger around the center. Leave about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the roll end outside your grip. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
4
Wrap yarn around the roll’s center and over your thumb. Take the string still attached to the skein and fold it around where the connecting part of an “8” would be (right above the curve between your thumb and pointer finger). Repeat for 20 to 30 wraps. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Keeping your thumb in the center while you wrap will ensure the ball isn’t too tight.
5
Slip your thumb out of the wrap and continue wrapping. Spin the roll at a 45-degree angle and wrap 20 to 25 times, moving from corner to corner. Turn another 45 degrees and repeat. Continue this until you have a ball. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- As the ball forms, you’ll be able to spin the yarn around while continuously wrapping. ^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Tuck the end of the string into the ball once you’re done to keep your yarn ball nice and secure. ^{[8]
  X
  Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Winding with the Thumb Wrap Approach

Download Article

Close your fingers around the string, leaving about an 1 inch (2.5 cm) of excess at the bottom. ^{[9]
X
Research source}
2
Wrap the yarn around your extended thumb 5 to 10 times. Take the end of the yarn still connected to the skein, and bring it around the base of your thumb. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Try holding your thumb horizontally, as this can make it easier to wrap. ^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
3
Angle the yarn as you wrap 5 to 10 more times. Cross the string over the previous wraps to create a criss-cross pattern. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Moving your thumb with the wrap can help beginner yarn winders.
With each wrap, the ball will get bigger and bigger, but keep going until you can’t see your thumb poking out of the yarn. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
Carefully slide your thumb out of the yarn, pushing in any string that may slide out. Keep wrapping in a criss-cross pattern until your skein is all balled up. ^{[14]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using the Center Pull Technique

Download Article

Lay the end piece across your palm, with the end connected to the skein or hank draped over your hand between your thumb and pointer finger. Leave about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of excess string as this will be the center pull. ^{[15]
X
Research source}
2
Wrap the yarn between your fingers in a figure “8.” Pinch the string over your palm with the side of your thumb. Then, take the piece of string still connected to the skein and wrap it down and around your pinky and ring finger and up and around the pointer and middle finger. Repeat this for around 20 to 30 wraps. ^{[16]
X
Research source}
- Be careful not to wrap too tightly—you should still be able to wiggle your fingers and loosen the string.
Carefully pull the figure “8” off your hand. Fold the roll of yarn in half where the “8” connects in the middle. Leave the tail of excess string hanging out, and pinch the folded roll between your thumb, pointer, and middle fingers. ^{[17]
X
Research source}
4
Wrap the yarn roll over your fingers and thumb. Bring the longest string up and around the yarn roll and the fingers pinching it (including your thumb). Keep wrapping until a ball forms. ^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Wrapping your fingers and thumb will keep the ball from getting too tight.
- Rotate where you pinch the roll for a rounder yarn ball.
- Move around the tail of excess string, checking that it’s out of the wrapping altogether.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Trying the Cardboard Square Approach

Download Article

1
Cut a notch in a cardboard square. Use a leftover cardboard box and cut out a 1 inch (2.5 cm) by 1 inch (2.5 cm) square with a pair of scissors or box cutter. Then, take your scissor or box cutter and cut a line halfway through the square.
- If you don’t have an extra piece of cardboard, use a piece of cardstock.
Leave just enough excess so that the string doesn’t slip out.
Take the string attached to the skein and bring it up and over the yarn you slipped into the notch. Keep wrapping over the excess string for 10 to 15 rotations.
Rotate the square in your hand so that the vertical roll you just wrapped is horizontal. Wrap over the roll 10 to 15 more times to create a criss-cross pattern.
5
Keep rotating and wrapping until a ball forms. As you rotate and wrap, your cardboard square will disappear. Continue your criss-cross wrapping pattern until all the yarn is in your ball.
- Tuck the end of your yarn under a string in the ball to keep it secure.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Where to find the beginning piece of yarn. Inside or outside?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

The beginning piece of yarn can be inside or outside your yarn ball. Traditional yarn balls have an outer string you pull to unravel the ball, while winding styles like the center pull let you unravel the ball from the inside.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 2
Question

Which one is easier?

Anotheronebitesthesoil

Community Answer

Different methods work better for different people. Try all the methods and select the one that works for you.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 15

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

Log in

How to Wind a Yarn Ball by Hand

Steps

Using the Finger Wrap Technique

Winding with the Thumb Wrap Approach

Using the Center Pull Technique

Trying the Cardboard Square Approach

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories