Only a yarnworker would understand how "meditative" it is to wind yarn...and how satisfying just to "spend time with yarn" when you're not working on a project!!
Yes!!! Sometimes I just want to hold it, play with it and think of all the wonderful things I could make with it, I don't actually want to use it right that second
My father made a nostepinne for me several years before he died, which I will treasure forever. I had just gotten into knitting, and had bought several hanks of yarn that needed to be wound. I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed this process, as it is an art form unto itself, and it is so rewarding! Make sure you tuck the label of the yarn, if you still have it, into the center of the cake, and remember to tuck it back in again, after use, if you do not use all the yarn, so that you have all its information right there when you need it. As your yarn collection grows, you will surely regret not having that information when you need it!
That is such an awesome gift from you dad to always have, and a great memory. It really is an art form on its own. Great tip with the label, it is very hand to have that info if the yarn has been in your stash for awhile too. Thanks so much for watching.
Outstanding! My cat has been having more fun with my yarn than I have, and just yesterday spent 3 solid hours untangling a mess of velvet yarn that I had done. Thank you so much!!
“When I’m not sure what I want to crochet next but want to spend some time with my yarn.” I totally get that! 😊 Thanks for this. I do have a yarn winder that I like but I’m lazy sometimes and it’s WAY over there so I often just roll my leftover yarn into a ball. I always work from the outside but find center-pull balls are still easier to work with as they don’t roll around as much.
I so relate to this! lol. "it's WAY over there" EXACTLY 😂 So many times I wanted to wind a ball, but the winder was set up on the other side of the room......funny how being lazy forced me to try a different way LOL! Thanks for watching.
I learned this trick maybe 10 years ago and it changed my life. I actually find it relaxing and a nice change, sort of like a palate cleanser between knitting sessions. It’s amazing.
Omword Jane a HUGE thank you for this video! I'm 61 years old and have been crocheting since I was 6. That also means I've been fighting with skeins of yarn all my life as a result of not knowing this technique. You have changed my crocheting life for the better. Thank you again for this. I pray God blesses you and keeps you. God speed.
Great advice on keeping the angle at 45°. I have a ball winder, but I still roll by hand sometimes. When I first learned, I was taught to start by winding the yarn around your fingers in a figure eight. I'm going to have to test both ways and see which pulls more easily. Also, a tall, narrow pill bottle works really well for winding. You can just tuck the yarn end into the bottle and put the cap back on so you don't lose it.
Thanks for the tip, the empty pill bottle with cap is a great idea. I used to use yarn winders all the time, and realized how important that 45 degree angle seemed to be. I think I might have started with the figure eight as well. It may give the center more body. Might have to try it again. Enjoy!
This is a great video! I’ve watched a bunch of them because I’m trying hard to not buy a yarn winder (would rather use that money for more yarn, haha) and yours is really informative and helpful. Thanks!!
I never knew you could do this great yarn winding by hand. One of the best things I learned this week watching RUclips. This is when you count your blessings for having our modern technology. Brings people together and teaches so much. Many thanks 🧶🇬🇧🧶🇬🇧🌲 Maria
Whilst researching wool winders your video popped up on my YT home page … and I’m so glad it did. As I knit and crochet a lot of toys and decorations I mostly use a variety of smallish balls of wool - 50g (1.75oz) or less. Like my Mom and Grandmother I always rewind my balls of wool before using them to check for knots, blemishes and faults before using in a project. This has always been into round balls, which, ofc, being round can be tricky if you can’t place it somewhere it can unwind without rolling away. So I wondered if I could make ‘flat balls’ of wool as seen in many a shop. Hence the research and hence watching your video. Lovely clear, no nonsense instructions by which I have now successfully rewound some wool. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad this video has been useful for you. I love having a flat cake that won't roll away as well. It also deters, although only sometimes, the cats from chasing my yarn! Enjoy and happy wool winding!
As I type, there’s a tiny cake on my thumb. What fun and how serendipitous! I was just thinking yesterday how there must be a zen-like manual way of achieving these cakes I keep hearing about. Thanks so much!
This is the best video! Thank you SO much for taking the time to make it. I purchased some hand dyed yarn and have been avoiding starting my project because I don't have a winder and don't like working with balls. You have saved the day and I've now made beautiful yarn cakes and can begin my sweater. So much gratitude and love to you! ❣🙏🏼
So happy to have found your video! I was contemplating buying a yarn winder but didn't want another single-purpose gadget around the house. Just followed your instructions and wound my first ball successfully. Thank you!
So glad you found it too, I agree, I had already broke one and my other one was in the process of breaking and I thought, I didn't want to have to replace it again, there had to be a better way. Now I can wind my balls anywhere, even with my feet up out on the deck!
Brilliant! And, as so many ladies have said, so therapeutic! I cannot watch tv and crochet if I want to actually 'watch' what is on but get fidgety without doing something and this solves that problem. Many thanks 😊
Ty for sharing. This is brilliant. After 60 years of winding yarn balls I finally broke down & bought a yarn ball winder because I was starting a big project & tired of hiding yarn balls from my cats if it bounced out of control. I thought I had tried every which way possible to create a center pull ball by hand until now. Ty again for sharing.
I am so glad you liked it, I have had many yarn winders, broken a few as well, but I really enjoy sitting quietly and doing it this way most of the time.
Just tried 2 of these. Worked great! Then I finished off 2 granny squares and the yarn didn't roll off the table. Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much for all your tutorials. I think I spent about three hours listening to the Crochet tutorials on how to join the granny squares correctly.. I’m currently making a baby blanket for my daughter-in-law, using granny squares. Due date is at the end of November which sounds like far away, but I’m not gonna take any chance and make it now. Thank you once again; you are an inspiration to all of us.
Love this video, thank you!!! I don’t understand when some people say they “hate” winding yarn. I also find it meditative, just the feel of the yarn going through my fingers is so calming/relaxing. Again, thank you for sharing this information. 💜🫂💜
Yes! so meditative, I like to use it to teach myself where I'm holding tension in my body and paying attention to my breath as I tend to hold my breath when I concentrate LOL!
What a great technique! I've never felt like I needed, specifically, centre-pulling balls of yarn, but I had been wanting to wind up some of my balls of crochet cotton that are almost empty, and with the huge cardboard centre, they were taking too much space! Now instead of a big, ugly ball with cardboard showing through, I have a surprisingly neat, fairly compact "golf ball"-sized little ball of thread, which would be convenient to bring for projects on the go! I just finished winding my tatting shuttle from the centre-pulling ball and I love it: no more balls falling from the table, rolling all over the floor! The process wasn't too long or laborious and I'm really satisfied with the results. Thank you so much for teaching this technique!
I love this, that is so awesome that you can use this to tidy up your thread cones. I used to crochet lace and tat many years ago and those thread balls can really get away on you! I am so glad this method works for you. You have much patience to tat, such a beautiful detailed art form. 😊♥
I have watched a few center pull instruction videos and this is by far the best one :) (imo) This has made my life so much easier as a newbie to crochet. The yarn tangle was enough to stop me enjoying it. Thank you so much for this video. I had to come back and let you know, All the best and thanks again x
This was a game changer for me!! I was about to buy a yarn winder and read a lot of reviews, but then I said let’s see if I can do this with just my hands! Luckily I came across your video.., THANK YOU!! ❤
So glad this was helpful, I originally made it because I learned how to do it a long time ago, but kept forgetting how I did it, so I made the video to remind myself how to do it, and now so many others are doing it too. Win Win!!
I’m sure I already thanked you but I cannot thank you enough for this tutorial! I just spent my lunch break making a double center pull ball. I’ll finally be able to hold yarn double with no frustrations and without having to use two skeins at a time. ♥️
I started my winding with fingers like you , I’ve got arthritis in my hands , so I hand to use an empty serger spool holder to help me , it did ! I love my balls of yarn this way instead of runaway balls ! Great tutorial & idea
Thanks so much, the serger spool is a great idea. I say whatever works, our hands all work a little differently and we just have to stay flexible when the body speaks. So glad you are able to wind your yarn, Enjoy!
Relaxing for some, aggravating for others. I’ve had my yarn winder since the 70s and still enjoy using it, and it’s an immensely satisfying time-saver.
this is a game changer! just tried it with a small scrap i had laying around and it looks so nice already! nowhere as neat as what you show but if it stays in one piece it's a win for me! thank you for showing this
Glad you like it! It just takes practice, If I have not wound any in awhile, I need to make a few balls before I get the feel for it again. Then I start searching for messy balls, because it gets addictive!
I'm trying to get back to crocheting again after 2 yrs of zero crojo. This would really help me a lot to have more time to talk to my yarns while winding them & come up with projects afterwards. Thank u very much❤
GREAT winding tutorial! One thing I thought of about that center "tail" of yarn was to put a piece of tape on the end, which will keep the end visible should it get almost covered and also will be a good way for you to find that starting piece. I got the idea from HOBBI yarns which puts an "easy start" piece of paper stuck to the end for you to start pulling from the center. Thanks again for teaching me how to wind remnants MUCH better and nicer than winding it around a toilet tissue cardboard like I had been. 🙂
That is a really great idea. I have had balls of yarn that have those little tabs and they are so helpful! So glad you found this video useful, and thanks again for the great idea ❤️
You can also just make a slipknot and put a stitch marker in it (if you use those). I do this for yarn that’s really hard to see where the beginning is, like the finer ones such as mohair.
This worked so well, thank you so much! Winding the yarn like this is such an oddly satisfying task and the yarn cake, as you called it, looks so tidy and pretty. I'm really happy I found your video.
Thank you so much for your post. Tried it last night, and it works beautifully. This is now my go-to method for winding wool, saves me buying one of those machines aswell.
I just learned this method a few days ago and when I got a shipment of 21 skeins of yarn in I immediately sat and balled them like this ove the past 2 days and I will never make "cat toys" again! And, yes it is very relaxing! It also makes my knitting beanies for the homeless and children's hospital more pleasant.
@@jspcreate thank you, that's sweet! I've been homeless so I know firsthand how badly they are needed. I'm just ever so thankful that I'm now in a position to be able to give back to the community and give the babies with a rough start a little something made with love.
I’m I have two manual winders and an electric one. I’ve never been truly satisfied with any of them. Let’s just say that you’re my hero! Thank you SO much. New sub definitely!
thanks for this!! i've wrapped tons of yarn balls with this tutorial and they look great every time! even/especially my frogged projects get wrapped like this and it's such a nice and tidy way to make sure my yarn doesn't tangle up before i can use it again 💖
One of the best tricks I learned early on. Another thing I do is make a slip knot and add a stitch clip (slide on one) at the end and as I wind I never loose the end. I have also found the thin bags that newspaper is delivered in as handy storage bags for wound balls! Thank you for your videos!
Thank you.. I normally roll it in a ball, and yes, it rolls all over the floor, will definitely try this method, thank you for sharing. I love your videos and techniques❤.
I am a latecomer to this video, but it is probably the most useful tutorial I have seen on YT. I am busily reorganising all those messy chunks of yarn and looking forward to a tidy stash. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for your kind words. I had been trying the toilet roll too and it kept crushing, 😆 I gave up and used my thumb and it worked better for me. So glad this works for you too ❤️
Definitely doing this with my yarn when my kiddo is asleep! It’s been driving me crazy hate when my yarn is smash together and I’m too cheap to buy a tool 😂 Thank you so much!
Thanks for this tip. After I finish my ball I roll up the yarn wrapper with all the info on it, and put it in the middle of the ball. Fits just right and now I know what I'm dealing with when, or if, I want to order more.
Thanks for this tutorial! I also put a slipknot with a stitch marker (safety-pin, hairpin paperclip, etc.) attached to the end of the center-pull string to keep it from getting lost while wrapping. 😊
This is great. Since I couldn't purchase a yarn winder, I have been using an old small diameter piece of pvc pipe to wind yarn into cakes. I never considered just using my thumb instead. I wind the same way you show here just around the pipe and not my thumb. This is a great technique! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🪡
OMG!! I’ve been using this method for years and I thought I’d come up with it but not the part about how to tell what “counts” because I counted the legs instead of your (much easier) “bars across” method!!! Thank you so much!!!❤❤❤❤
I've done it this way, used a toilet paper tube, but for a very long time I've used a nøstepinde. Do I use a ball-winder? Yes. Most of the time, I make cakes with it off hanks I toss onto my swift. But I still use the nøstepinde for very delicate yarns that the ball-winder can sometimes treat poorly. The slower speed allows me to tinker with the twist a bit, and it can be rather meditative, as others here have already commented.
It is really great to have many options, different yarn calls for different techniques. I used to set the ball winder up in the living room and my hubby complained of the noise, he prefers my quieter method lol. Enjoy and thanks for watching
This was so good. The process was easy, you slowed it down and gave great detail on the how to. Thank you for the tips as i continue my tufting journey
This was how I was taught a million years ago....❤ sometimes I use the end of a large knitting needle, lay the tail along side, and wind my center pulls, hands have arthritis, so this helps..beautiful cakes
Thank you, sometimes the best methods are the ones that stand the test of time 🤗. I agree the knitting needle is a good idea too. Glad you enjoyed the video ❤️
I've been looking at ball winders for a while now. If I used more indie dyed that come in skeins I would invest but I tend to buy more of the big box brands. This is great because at some point they all get difficult to work with and I can see myself doing this to all my lefovers while watching tv - or you tube!
It really is perfect for those loose balls of leftovers. I do it while watching movies or RUclips as well. Kind of relaxing! Glad you found this useful, have fun winding yarn :)
How cool is this?! I have a yarn winder and the post that makes the hole in the center is big and I always say I wish it was thinner, lol, plus when the "cake" gets big, it just starts sliding off and when you're in the middle of winding at lightspeed, it can create a huge mess with the yarn getting caught in the winder's gears. My "cake" got tight right away, but holy cow this was easy. Thanks for the tip!
So glad this works for you. You made me giggle, because I have sooo been there when the cake takes off and gets messed up in the gears lol... I FEEL your pain there!! Thanks so much for watching, enjoy :)
I watch some yarn winder videos then tried the same thing using a size Q crochet hook I had. Worked great! Arthritis made holding my thumb up like that painful sometimes.
Thank you so much! I wish I had found this when I was doing my multicolored yarn as it ended up in many different balls due to tangles and knots. Defined keeping this video for awhile.
Brilliant! I have a really good yarn winder but it makes the yarn cakes quite tight which is not loose enough for dyeing them. I usually wrap them diagonally too but they alway end up as balls and still too tight to dye. This index finger technique of yours is great.
thank you so much - I hate how normal yarn balls can stretch softer, looser yarns, and this is perfect for things i want to keep light and soft. a perfect tutorial, and one I'll revisit when i inevitably forget how to start one 😅
Just seen this, bit late to the table so to speak! I've been doing the same but with the inside of a toilet paper tube, folded in half with beginning yarn lying in the crease. Was looking for a video to see if I was doing it right. I wasn't! I didn't turn enough of have the right angle. Now I know, but I'll still use the empty tube as I've got miss shaped joints. So glad I stopped by to watch. Thank You. X
So glad you found this helpful. The angle does help the ball hold it’s shape. The paper tube is a great option to help build on and hold the yarn end. Sounds like you have it, good luck and Enjoy
That has been my main obstacle when shopping for yarn winders. So paranoid about not being able to make large enough cakes. I’m in LOVE with the beautiful cakes in this video and cannot wait to see how mine turn out.
Fantastic!! Thank you! 3 months into my new obsession of crocheting. I have a suggestion that I use to not lose the center pull end of the yarn. ( Wish I could post a picture🫤) I take the center end, wrap it around my wrist and then tuck the end under the yarn like I’m going to make a knot but don’t complete the knot. It stays loose and the yarn end doesn’t get wound up as I’m winding the full skein.
This is a great suggestion, that end does tend to wind itself into the center especially on larger balls and you have to keep track of it. So this would work good, because it still needs to spin with the winding, just not get lost in the ball. Thanks for this idea.
Outstanding tutorial! Thank you! I'm new to crochet at age 63. Not even a year yet. But I love it and so hapoy to find your easy method of winding messy balls into center pull cakes! Be blessed!
Thanks! Another advantage to doing this is that, if there are knots in the yarn, or other problems due to manufacturing,you will find them during this process, and you’ll be able to eliminate them before you start your project!
Really great point, because it is so disturbing when you are part way through a row and a knot comes creeping out of the ball 😣 This does help you check the yarn out so you are smooth sailing once you start working on a project. Thanks for sharing this tip. Enjoy
This was amazing and just what i needed! thank youu, now all my messed up yarn balls look so neet and compact! also just following along with you was super relaxing too :)
I am so glad you found this useful. It really is nice to get the yarn all neat again so you can start fresh. That's great that you found it relaxing to follow too, makes me day 🥰
Aaaawww thos is beautiful! My yarn ball winder broke. It came wi the a knitting machine and i havent mustered up the courage to replace it. Thw messy yarn drives me crazy. I have been using a spoon with a really smooth round handle to wind my yarn. However the tiny center sometimes makes it difficult to pull the yarn from the center. Also the 'ball' is not a round. So this will work perfectly if i can master the skill! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for your kind words. So glad you found this video and hope it helps. It does take a little practice, each time I step away from doing it for awhile, I need to make a few balls before I get the feel for it again. I've broken a few ball winders and started doing it this way instead. I guess I'm rough on the winders lol.
@@jspcreate yes it did and it will take practice. I tried it (without looking at the video again) got it done but it was a little tight around my thumb...cut the circulation a little...will practice while watching again. My first go at I was satisfied.
Only a yarnworker would understand how "meditative" it is to wind yarn...and how satisfying just to "spend time with yarn" when you're not working on a project!!
RIght?! soooo meditative :) the calming effects of yarn
Yes!!! Sometimes I just want to hold it, play with it and think of all the wonderful things I could make with it, I don't actually want to use it right that second
I agree. I’ve even learned to relax when untangling “yarn barf”. No need to get so bent out of shape. Enjoy the process.
My father made a nostepinne for me several years before he died, which I will treasure forever. I had just gotten into knitting, and had bought several hanks of yarn that needed to be wound. I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I enjoyed this process, as it is an art form unto itself, and it is so rewarding! Make sure you tuck the label of the yarn, if you still have it, into the center of the cake, and remember to tuck it back in again, after use, if you do not use all the yarn, so that you have all its information right there when you need it. As your yarn collection grows, you will surely regret not having that information when you need it!
That is such an awesome gift from you dad to always have, and a great memory. It really is an art form on its own. Great tip with the label, it is very hand to have that info if the yarn has been in your stash for awhile too. Thanks so much for watching.
I've been winding my own center pull balls for about 20 years. This is the easiest and neatest start I've ever seen. Thank you for this.
So glad you like this, it really is a simple and relaxing art form itself isn't it! 😊
Outstanding! My cat has been having more fun with my yarn than I have, and just yesterday spent 3 solid hours untangling a mess of velvet yarn that I had done. Thank you so much!!
Haha, I have the same problem here, cats are really good yarn UNwinders! lol Velvet yarn is really a pain to undo knots, I'm thinking of you!
“When I’m not sure what I want to crochet next but want to spend some time with my yarn.” I totally get that! 😊 Thanks for this. I do have a yarn winder that I like but I’m lazy sometimes and it’s WAY over there so I often just roll my leftover yarn into a ball. I always work from the outside but find center-pull balls are still easier to work with as they don’t roll around as much.
I so relate to this! lol. "it's WAY over there" EXACTLY 😂 So many times I wanted to wind a ball, but the winder was set up on the other side of the room......funny how being lazy forced me to try a different way LOL! Thanks for watching.
I learned this trick maybe 10 years ago and it changed my life. I actually find it relaxing and a nice change, sort of like a palate cleanser between knitting sessions. It’s amazing.
What a great way to put it, a palate cleanser! I use it as a time out to revisit my yarn and get new inspiration as well.
Will it feed correctly from my yarn bowl?
@@KSMCEVOY I don’t know, maybe just try it with a mini skein ?
I also do it to relax between crocheting sessions
Omword Jane a HUGE thank you for this video! I'm 61 years old and have been crocheting since I was 6. That also means I've been fighting with skeins of yarn all my life as a result of not knowing this technique. You have changed my crocheting life for the better. Thank you again for this. I pray God blesses you and keeps you. God speed.
Thank you so much for your kind words. So very glad this video helped. thanks for watching and enjoy winding your yarn.
Great advice on keeping the angle at 45°. I have a ball winder, but I still roll by hand sometimes. When I first learned, I was taught to start by winding the yarn around your fingers in a figure eight. I'm going to have to test both ways and see which pulls more easily. Also, a tall, narrow pill bottle works really well for winding. You can just tuck the yarn end into the bottle and put the cap back on so you don't lose it.
Thanks for the tip, the empty pill bottle with cap is a great idea. I used to use yarn winders all the time, and realized how important that 45 degree angle seemed to be. I think I might have started with the figure eight as well. It may give the center more body. Might have to try it again. Enjoy!
Great tutorial. Will try that for sure.
Brilliant👍
This is a great video! I’ve watched a bunch of them because I’m trying hard to not buy a yarn winder (would rather use that money for more yarn, haha) and yours is really informative and helpful. Thanks!!
So glad you found it helpful, My yarn winder broke, and I thought, there has to be a better way, I find it relaxing now to do it this way
me too!😆
Not true! You will save much more over time if you buy a ball winder!
I never knew you could do this great yarn winding by hand. One of the best things I learned this week watching RUclips. This is when you count your blessings for having our modern technology. Brings people together and teaches so much. Many thanks 🧶🇬🇧🧶🇬🇧🌲 Maria
@@linedanzer4302before buying on temu, please do your research on that company, they have some pretty bad allegations.
Thanks i am 13 year old crocheter was just finding a way to organise the plenty of yarn laying around this is the best tutorial on this topic ever
You are so welcome! So glad you found this tutorial and it has helped. Keep up the crocheting and enjoy!
Meanwhile me having little to no yarn but is messy:
LOVELY
your voice is so soothing i keep replaying this video as i wind my yarn
Thank you for your kind words, so glad you find this relaxing, I do too!
Best, most practical yarn tip I've seen in all my decades of crocheting! Thank you so much; I was trying not to buy another yarn tool!
Haha, yes I hear you on the trying not to buy another yarn tool! So glad this was helpful!
Whilst researching wool winders your video popped up on my YT home page … and I’m so glad it did. As I knit and crochet a lot of toys and decorations I mostly use a variety of smallish balls of wool - 50g (1.75oz) or less. Like my Mom and Grandmother I always rewind my balls of wool before using them to check for knots, blemishes and faults before using in a project. This has always been into round balls, which, ofc, being round can be tricky if you can’t place it somewhere it can unwind without rolling away. So I wondered if I could make ‘flat balls’ of wool as seen in many a shop. Hence the research and hence watching your video. Lovely clear, no nonsense instructions by which I have now successfully rewound some wool. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am so glad this video has been useful for you. I love having a flat cake that won't roll away as well. It also deters, although only sometimes, the cats from chasing my yarn! Enjoy and happy wool winding!
Checking the yarn for blemishes first!! You just changed my yarn life for ever.
As I type, there’s a tiny cake on my thumb. What fun and how serendipitous! I was just thinking yesterday how there must be a zen-like manual way of achieving these cakes I keep hearing about. Thanks so much!
It truly is a zen activity, sometimes I just wind to music, so relaxing.
This is the best video! Thank you SO much for taking the time to make it. I purchased some hand dyed yarn and have been avoiding starting my project because I don't have a winder and don't like working with balls. You have saved the day and I've now made beautiful yarn cakes and can begin my sweater. So much gratitude and love to you! ❣🙏🏼
So Happy this has helped you make your yarn into nice cakes, they really are nice to work with, enjoy!
So happy to have found your video! I was contemplating buying a yarn winder but didn't want another single-purpose gadget around the house. Just followed your instructions and wound my first ball successfully. Thank you!
So glad you found it too, I agree, I had already broke one and my other one was in the process of breaking and I thought, I didn't want to have to replace it again, there had to be a better way. Now I can wind my balls anywhere, even with my feet up out on the deck!
Brilliant! And, as so many ladies have said, so therapeutic! I cannot watch tv and crochet if I want to actually 'watch' what is on but get fidgety without doing something and this solves that problem. Many thanks 😊
Yes, I agree, so relaxing, enjoy 😊
Ty for sharing. This is brilliant. After 60 years of winding yarn balls I finally broke down & bought a yarn ball winder because I was starting a big project & tired of hiding yarn balls from my cats if it bounced out of control. I thought I had tried every which way possible to create a center pull ball by hand until now. Ty again for sharing.
I am so glad you liked it, I have had many yarn winders, broken a few as well, but I really enjoy sitting quietly and doing it this way most of the time.
A new take on a green thumb. Thanks. Needed this.
Glad it was helpful!
Just tried 2 of these. Worked great! Then I finished off 2 granny squares and the yarn didn't roll off the table. Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this.
Awesome, so glad this made it easier for you to crochet. Those rolling balls can really get distracting.
Thank you so much for all your tutorials. I think I spent about three hours listening to the Crochet tutorials on how to join the granny squares correctly.. I’m currently making a baby blanket for my daughter-in-law, using granny squares. Due date is at the end of November which sounds like far away, but I’m not gonna take any chance and make it now. Thank you once again; you are an inspiration to all of us.
Wonderful!
Love this video, thank you!!! I don’t understand when some people say they “hate” winding yarn. I also find it meditative, just the feel of the yarn going through my fingers is so calming/relaxing. Again, thank you for sharing this information. 💜🫂💜
Yes! so meditative, I like to use it to teach myself where I'm holding tension in my body and paying attention to my breath as I tend to hold my breath when I concentrate LOL!
What a great technique! I've never felt like I needed, specifically, centre-pulling balls of yarn, but I had been wanting to wind up some of my balls of crochet cotton that are almost empty, and with the huge cardboard centre, they were taking too much space! Now instead of a big, ugly ball with cardboard showing through, I have a surprisingly neat, fairly compact "golf ball"-sized little ball of thread, which would be convenient to bring for projects on the go! I just finished winding my tatting shuttle from the centre-pulling ball and I love it: no more balls falling from the table, rolling all over the floor! The process wasn't too long or laborious and I'm really satisfied with the results. Thank you so much for teaching this technique!
I love this, that is so awesome that you can use this to tidy up your thread cones. I used to crochet lace and tat many years ago and those thread balls can really get away on you! I am so glad this method works for you. You have much patience to tat, such a beautiful detailed art form. 😊♥
I have watched a few center pull instruction videos and this is by far the best one :) (imo) This has made my life so much easier as a newbie to crochet. The yarn tangle was enough to stop me enjoying it. Thank you so much for this video. I had to come back and let you know, All the best and thanks again x
Thank you so much for letting me know. I am so glad that this helped.
This was a game changer for me!! I was about to buy a yarn winder and read a lot of reviews, but then I said let’s see if I can do this with just my hands! Luckily I came across your video.., THANK YOU!! ❤
So glad this was helpful, I originally made it because I learned how to do it a long time ago, but kept forgetting how I did it, so I made the video to remind myself how to do it, and now so many others are doing it too. Win Win!!
Love this method! I’m finding it useful and therapeutic to get my yarn organized and in a better format to use without worrying about tangling.
So glad you are enjoying this and it is proving useful. That tangling can really cause havoc with the relaxation part of crocheting!! 😊
I’m sure I already thanked you but I cannot thank you enough for this tutorial! I just spent my lunch break making a double center pull ball. I’ll finally be able to hold yarn double with no frustrations and without having to use two skeins at a time. ♥️
That is awesome, thanks so much for watching.
I started my winding with fingers like you , I’ve got arthritis in my hands , so I hand to use an empty serger spool holder to help me , it did ! I love my balls of yarn this way instead of runaway balls ! Great tutorial & idea
Thanks so much, the serger spool is a great idea. I say whatever works, our hands all work a little differently and we just have to stay flexible when the body speaks. So glad you are able to wind your yarn, Enjoy!
Relaxing for some, aggravating for others. I’ve had my yarn winder since the 70s and still enjoy using it, and it’s an immensely satisfying time-saver.
Yarn winders can definitely be a good thing too 👍
this is a game changer! just tried it with a small scrap i had laying around and it looks so nice already! nowhere as neat as what you show but if it stays in one piece it's a win for me! thank you for showing this
Glad you like it! It just takes practice, If I have not wound any in awhile, I need to make a few balls before I get the feel for it again. Then I start searching for messy balls, because it gets addictive!
thank you so much for this video. the tone of your voice is so peaceful and it was so easy to follow along! I'm so grateful for this!
You are so welcome!
I'm trying to get back to crocheting again after 2 yrs of zero crojo. This would really help me a lot to have more time to talk to my yarns while winding them & come up with projects afterwards. Thank u very much❤
You are welcome, so glad this will give you time to talk to your yarn, that is my fav activity too
Oh my. I'm 60 this year, been crocheting for 50 years and this is by far the best tip and skill ever! Thank you, thank you, thank you ❤
Thanks so much, so glad this is helpful
@@jspcreate I have managed to do a few today already! :)
yay, keep going, it becomes a very relaxing process. And Happy 60th year to you, they say life starts to roll after 60 YAY! I'm almost there too.
You're an incredibly gifted teacher! Thank you!
Thanks so much for your kind words, you made my day.
OMG! This is such a great technique!!!🎉I’ve wound 2 cakes/center pulls an it’s the bomb!!!❤ Thank you 🙏🏾 so much for making this video 👏🏾
GREAT winding tutorial! One thing I thought of about that center "tail" of yarn was to put a piece of tape on the end, which will keep the end visible should it get almost covered and also will be a good way for you to find that starting piece. I got the idea from HOBBI yarns which puts an "easy start" piece of paper stuck to the end for you to start pulling from the center. Thanks again for teaching me how to wind remnants MUCH better and nicer than winding it around a toilet tissue cardboard like I had been. 🙂
That is a really great idea. I have had balls of yarn that have those little tabs and they are so helpful! So glad you found this video useful, and thanks again for the great idea ❤️
You can also just make a slipknot and put a stitch marker in it (if you use those). I do this for yarn that’s really hard to see where the beginning is, like the finer ones such as mohair.
This worked so well, thank you so much! Winding the yarn like this is such an oddly satisfying task and the yarn cake, as you called it, looks so tidy and pretty. I'm really happy I found your video.
Glad it was helpful!
I was contemplating on buying those yarn winders but I found this first and you are right, this is therapeutic!
So glad you find this relaxing! Enjoy
Thank you so much for your post. Tried it last night, and it works beautifully. This is now my go-to method for winding wool, saves me buying one of those machines aswell.
Yay, so glad you enjoyed this method.
Oh my….a phenomenal, priceless video. Thank you…
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just learned this method a few days ago and when I got a shipment of 21 skeins of yarn in I immediately sat and balled them like this ove the past 2 days and I will never make "cat toys" again! And, yes it is very relaxing! It also makes my knitting beanies for the homeless and children's hospital more pleasant.
So glad you found it just in time to wind your skeins! That is awesome you knit for the children's hospitals and homeless, you have a huge heart ❤️
@@jspcreate thank you, that's sweet! I've been homeless so I know firsthand how badly they are needed. I'm just ever so thankful that I'm now in a position to be able to give back to the community and give the babies with a rough start a little something made with love.
I’m I have two manual winders and an electric one. I’ve never been truly satisfied with any of them. Let’s just say that you’re my hero! Thank you SO much.
New sub definitely!
That’s awesome, so glad this helped. I have had winders too and prefer to do it by hand, enjoy
thanks for this!! i've wrapped tons of yarn balls with this tutorial and they look great every time! even/especially my frogged projects get wrapped like this and it's such a nice and tidy way to make sure my yarn doesn't tangle up before i can use it again 💖
So glad this has worked for you, this makes my day 👍
dziękuję Jane. Prosty sposób, mała zmiana ruchu dłoni, a jaka wielka różnica w jakości kłębka! Teraz już zwijam włóczkę tylko w ten sposób.
So glad this worked for you and you can wind your yarn now. Enjoy
One of the best tricks I learned early on. Another thing I do is make a slip knot and add a stitch clip (slide on one) at the end and as I wind I never loose the end. I have also found the thin bags that newspaper is delivered in as handy storage bags for wound balls! Thank you for your videos!
These are awesome tips, thanks so much for sharing these. I like the idea of using the newspaper bags as, they are plentiful and need a purpose.
Thank you.. I normally roll it in a ball, and yes, it rolls all over the floor, will definitely try this method, thank you for sharing. I love your videos and techniques❤.
Thank you, so glad this appealed to you, Enjoy
I am a latecomer to this video, but it is probably the most useful tutorial I have seen on YT. I am busily reorganising all those messy chunks of yarn and looking forward to a tidy stash. Thank you!!
So glad you found this helpful, good luck with your stash 😊
Best information ever. I have tried on old empty toilet rolls, this is neater looking. Thank you, God bless
Thanks so much for your kind words. I had been trying the toilet roll too and it kept crushing, 😆 I gave up and used my thumb and it worked better for me. So glad this works for you too ❤️
Definitely doing this with my yarn when my kiddo is asleep! It’s been driving me crazy hate when my yarn is smash together and I’m too cheap to buy a tool 😂 Thank you so much!
Yay, so glad you enjoyed the video, have fun!
Don’t forget to teach your kiddo too!
Looks like a yarn rose! Very nicely done!
Thank you! 😊
Thanks for this tip. After I finish my ball I roll up the yarn wrapper with all the info on it, and put it in the middle of the ball. Fits just right and now I know what I'm dealing with when, or if, I want to order more.
Great idea putting the label in the center, it is very handy to have that info for future use, thanks for watching.
Great tip and teaching. I wrap an elastic around the ball when it’s complete. Then if I need to, I wrap a smaller elastic if the centre is collapsing.
Thanks so much and that is a great tip, thank you for sharing. They can tend to fall apart especially with slippy yarns, so an elastic is a good idea!
Thanks for this tutorial! I also put a slipknot with a stitch marker (safety-pin, hairpin paperclip, etc.) attached to the end of the center-pull string to keep it from getting lost while wrapping. 😊
Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing and for watching.
I was NOT wanting to buy yarn balling equipment. Your video saved me. Thank you! I’ll be making one tomorrow! ❤
So glad this helped 👌
This is great. Since I couldn't purchase a yarn winder, I have been using an old small diameter piece of pvc pipe to wind yarn into cakes. I never considered just using my thumb instead. I wind the same way you show here just around the pipe and not my thumb. This is a great technique! Thanks for sharing! 🧶🪡
That's a great idea to use the pvc pipe as well. Glad you enjoyed the tutorial
OMG!! I’ve been using this method for years and I thought I’d come up with it but not the part about how to tell what “counts” because I counted the legs instead of your (much easier) “bars across” method!!! Thank you so much!!!❤❤❤❤
You are so welcome!
So glad I found your video! Winding yarn while binging TV ❤
Awesome, Enjoy!
I've done it this way, used a toilet paper tube, but for a very long time I've used a nøstepinde. Do I use a ball-winder? Yes. Most of the time, I make cakes with it off hanks I toss onto my swift. But I still use the nøstepinde for very delicate yarns that the ball-winder can sometimes treat poorly. The slower speed allows me to tinker with the twist a bit, and it can be rather meditative, as others here have already commented.
It is really great to have many options, different yarn calls for different techniques. I used to set the ball winder up in the living room and my hubby complained of the noise, he prefers my quieter method lol. Enjoy and thanks for watching
This was so good. The process was easy, you slowed it down and gave great detail on the how to. Thank you for the tips as i continue my tufting journey
So glad you found this useful and good luck on your winding and tufting! :)
This was how I was taught a million years ago....❤ sometimes I use the end of a large knitting needle, lay the tail along side, and wind my center pulls, hands have arthritis, so this helps..beautiful cakes
Thank you, sometimes the best methods are the ones that stand the test of time 🤗. I agree the knitting needle is a good idea too. Glad you enjoyed the video ❤️
This is a cool info to know. I bought my yarn winder for about $20 I think... that was at least 5 years ago and I find that it is so worth it. 😊
That is awesome!
Just finished winding 3 yarn balls and it looks so cuteee thanks ❤
Wonderful!
I used this method to wind yarn barf. Works very well.
Haha, yes the dreaded yarn barfs, this works well! Thanks for watching.
This is great! I've made center pull balls for years. BUT I really like cakes & don't have a winder. Now I don't need one, thanks to you 😊
That is so awesome, glad I could be of help!
Thank you so much you just helped me save so much time and a huge headache of what to do with all my tangled messy yarn blobs :D
Glad I could help!
I've been looking at ball winders for a while now. If I used more indie dyed that come in skeins I would invest but I tend to buy more of the big box brands. This is great because at some point they all get difficult to work with and I can see myself doing this to all my lefovers while watching tv - or you tube!
It really is perfect for those loose balls of leftovers. I do it while watching movies or RUclips as well. Kind of relaxing! Glad you found this useful, have fun winding yarn :)
@@jspcreate thanks this was so helpful.
How cool is this?! I have a yarn winder and the post that makes the hole in the center is big and I always say I wish it was thinner, lol, plus when the "cake" gets big, it just starts sliding off and when you're in the middle of winding at lightspeed, it can create a huge mess with the yarn getting caught in the winder's gears. My "cake" got tight right away, but holy cow this was easy. Thanks for the tip!
So glad this works for you. You made me giggle, because I have sooo been there when the cake takes off and gets messed up in the gears lol... I FEEL your pain there!! Thanks so much for watching, enjoy :)
This was so great. I need to practice some more but it still worked well even on my first try. Thank you so much for sharing this.
You are so welcome! Glad you found this helpful.
"...when I just want to spend some time with my yarn..."! Yes, I know exactly how that feels ☺
You get me!! Thanks for watching.
Thanks for sharing this video for wrapping yarn. I always did the lil yarn balls that roll all over.😊 I think this will work much nicer.🎀💖🎀
You are so welcome!
This is soo coool!!! Thank you dear Jane ❤❤
You're welcome 😊 so glad you like it.
I watch some yarn winder videos then tried the same thing using a size Q crochet hook I had. Worked great! Arthritis made holding my thumb up like that painful sometimes.
That is a great idea, the Q hook would make a great spindle. Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for watching 🤗
Thanks SO much!!! This beats the heck out of balls rolling all over everywhere or tangling up when pulling from the wrong end!!!
Totally feel that tangling and balls rolling everywhere. So glad this helps 🤗
Thank you!! This will save me so much yarn frustration.
Yay, this is awesome, thanks for watching.
This was sooo relaxing to watch! And your voice is very soothing! ❤️
Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you so much! I wish I had found this when I was doing my multicolored yarn as it ended up in many different balls due to tangles and knots. Defined keeping this video for awhile.
You are so welcome! So glad you found this helpful
Superb amazing trick... Thank you so much for sharing the idea ❤
Thanks so much
Thank you so much for making this video! I've been using my friend's yarn for a while and wanted to give it back. This really helped, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Brilliant! I have a really good yarn winder but it makes the yarn cakes quite tight which is not loose enough for dyeing them. I usually wrap them diagonally too but they alway end up as balls and still too tight to dye. This index finger technique of yours is great.
So glad this helped, Enjoy!
this was brilliant I've got a couple of hanks and don't have a ball winder,yet the one i want is kinda expensive. i found this very helpful thank you.
So glad you found this method useful
thank you so much - I hate how normal yarn balls can stretch softer, looser yarns, and this is perfect for things i want to keep light and soft. a perfect tutorial, and one I'll revisit when i inevitably forget how to start one 😅
Yay, so glad you found this useful. Yes, softer yarns we need to be careful with, but this ball allows for a gentler touch.
Just seen this, bit late to the table so to speak! I've been doing the same but with the inside of a toilet paper tube, folded in half with beginning yarn lying in the crease. Was looking for a video to see if I was doing it right. I wasn't! I didn't turn enough of have the right angle. Now I know, but I'll still use the empty tube as I've got miss shaped joints. So glad I stopped by to watch. Thank You. X
Oh, and I just subbed! X
So glad you found this helpful. The angle does help the ball hold it’s shape. The paper tube is a great option to help build on and hold the yarn end. Sounds like you have it, good luck and Enjoy
Thanks so much 🤗
What an excellent video! And your voice is relaxing. Thanks for doing this.
Thank you so much, that is so kind, so glad you enjoyed it.
this is fantastic thank you! I stumbled across this video but it was so helpful and I've even started rewinding my unused balls of yarn like this :)
I am so glad you found this, I like to reorganize my yarn by rewinding balls too. I find it relaxing. Thanks for the kind words.
You could only go so big with a ball winder. Your method of winding is great. This is the way I am going to wind my yarn 🧶 for now on . Thanks 🙏🏼
Very true, I would have to cut my yarn when my winder maxed out, now I just go until the ball is finished! Thanks for watching
That has been my main obstacle when shopping for yarn winders. So paranoid about not being able to make large enough cakes.
I’m in LOVE with the beautiful cakes in this video and cannot wait to see how mine turn out.
Thank you for sharing this technique, i will be using this!!
You are so welcome!
Fantastic!! Thank you! 3 months into my new obsession of crocheting. I have a suggestion that I use to not lose the center pull end of the yarn. ( Wish I could post a picture🫤) I take the center end, wrap it around my wrist and then tuck the end under the yarn like I’m going to make a knot but don’t complete the knot. It stays loose and the yarn end doesn’t get wound up as I’m winding the full skein.
This is a great suggestion, that end does tend to wind itself into the center especially on larger balls and you have to keep track of it. So this would work good, because it still needs to spin with the winding, just not get lost in the ball. Thanks for this idea.
Outstanding tutorial! Thank you! I'm new to crochet at age 63. Not even a year yet. But I love it and so hapoy to find your easy method of winding messy balls into center pull cakes! Be blessed!
So glad this helped, enjoy 😊
Thanks! Another advantage to doing this is that, if there are knots in the yarn, or other problems due to manufacturing,you will find them during this process, and you’ll be able to eliminate them before you start your project!
Really great point, because it is so disturbing when you are part way through a row and a knot comes creeping out of the ball 😣 This does help you check the yarn out so you are smooth sailing once you start working on a project. Thanks for sharing this tip. Enjoy
Wow, im so glad i found this, i was thinking of buying a yarn winder! Super helpful and actually relaxing, thank u ❤
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much! Your directions are perfect! Now I don't need a winder!
You're very welcome! So glad you enjoy winding yarn this way too
Great technique. Thanks. Great way to neaten small leftovers.
You are so welcome!
Brilliant! So glad I found this video (or it found me). Merci!
Glad it was helpful!
Golly, Jane,thank you so much for this video. I never knew you could do that.
You are welcome
Thank you, Jane! This is awesome. My crochet just got so much more relaxing. :)
so glad you like it and found it helpful, Enjoy relaxing
This was amazing and just what i needed! thank youu, now all my messed up yarn balls look so neet and compact! also just following along with you was super relaxing too :)
I am so glad you found this useful. It really is nice to get the yarn all neat again so you can start fresh. That's great that you found it relaxing to follow too, makes me day 🥰
Thank you for this video! I've always wound in balls, and as you said--they get away from me. I'm going to use this method from now on!!
Wonderful! So glad this could help
Aaaawww thos is beautiful! My yarn ball winder broke. It came wi the a knitting machine and i havent mustered up the courage to replace it. Thw messy yarn drives me crazy.
I have been using a spoon with a really smooth round handle to wind my yarn. However the tiny center sometimes makes it difficult to pull the yarn from the center. Also the 'ball' is not a round. So this will work perfectly if i can master the skill! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for your kind words. So glad you found this video and hope it helps. It does take a little practice, each time I step away from doing it for awhile, I need to make a few balls before I get the feel for it again. I've broken a few ball winders and started doing it this way instead. I guess I'm rough on the winders lol.
@@jspcreate yes it did and it will take practice. I tried it (without looking at the video again) got it done but it was a little tight around my thumb...cut the circulation a little...will practice while watching again. My first go at I was satisfied.
Thank you for sharing your technique for winding yarn without tools. ❤
You are so welcome!
My mom taught me to wind a „normal“ ball of yarn, which is better than a tumbled mess. This is even better!
so glad you like it! Thanks for watching