How to Wind a Center Pull Yarn Ball by Hand, Tutorial + Video

Center Pull Yarn Ball

Learning how to wind a center pull yarn ball is a handy skill for any knitter and crocheter. This tutorial is easy and uses simple materials!  

If you’ve ever had a small amount amount of yarn, some unruly yarn, or a hank of yarn like this…

Center Pull Yarn Ball

You’ll need to wind it into a ball.  You could wind it into a regular ball and that will work too, but if you make your ball of yarn a center pull ball, it won’t roll around and will sit there nice and neat while you work.

Check out the video tutorial below to learn how to quickly and easily wind a center pull yarn ball.  I have just used simple materials on hand…no need for fancy tools!

Can’t see the video? Get it here!

When you’re all done, you’ll have a nice, neat yarn cake that will stay put…and no more unruly yarn!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Yarn that you want to wind
  • Scissors
  • Cardboard tube (or rolling pin, or even a wide needle–basically anything in similar shape and size)

Here’s how to wind a center pull yarn ball:

  • If using a cardboard tube, cut two notches into the top (this will hold the yarn in place).
  • If you’re going to be winding a skein of yarn (the long twisty shape), carefully unwrap it so that it makes a large ring.
  • If your yarn has other pieces of yarn holding it together, carefully snip them off.
  • If your yarn has a label, remove it and set it aside (don’t throw it away)
  • Find the end of the yarn then tuck it into the notches into the tube.
  • Lay the tail straight down along the tube
  • Wrap the yarn a few times in the center just to get it started,
  • Next, do a few diagonal wraps of the yarn, then turn about a quarter of the way, then a few more diagonal wraps.
  • Keep repeating this process, it will give you a nice crisscross effect.
  • Continue until there is no yarn left.
  • Tuck the end into the sides.
  • Gently pull the end of yarn that you had tucked into the notches.
  • Lay the cake on a flat surface and slowly slide the tube out (tube can be reused for other yarn).
  • Tuck the yarn label into the center hole so you have the yarn info when you are ready to use it.
  • Done! Now it’s ready to use when you are. Simply pull that yarn end from the middle and your yarn ball will stay put and not roll all around.

Looking for more crochet tips and tutorials? Check out my crochet stitch tutorial library!

Center Pull Yarn Ball

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6 thoughts on “How to Wind a Center Pull Yarn Ball by Hand, Tutorial + Video

  1. What a great idea. I would even do that with a regular skein if for nothing else but finding the end!

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