Yarn Winder Guide – How to Use and Best Yarn Winders

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Learn how to use a yarn winder to easily make a ball or cake of yarn with two ends (also known as a center pull ball). There’s also a guide to find the best yarn ball winder for your project.

If you knit, crochet, spin your own yarn (or really do any kind of fiber craft), then chances are you may be interested in a yarn winder. Working with yarn can get a bit tangled sometimes, especially when dealing with two ends. Or sometimes you may only want a small portion of a larger ball of yarn (while traveling, for example).

A winder allows you to take one a hank, skein, cake, or ball of yarn and make it into a tidy ball of yarn with two ends (a center pull ball). I love mine so much I’ve included it in my recommendations for the best knitting and crochet gifts.

You can also use a winder with a yarn swift to make it easier to turn a hank or skein into a ball.

Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.

What is a Yarn Winder?

A yarn winder is used to make a “cake” of yarn that can be used from both ends. Some knitting or crochet projects may require to strands of yarn. Instead of buying two sets of yarn for your project, you can use a winder to make a single ball from which you can use two strands.

The balls of yarn that winders make are also nicely wound up so they don’t tangle, which is typically what happens when you try to use a hank or skein from the store.

Which is the Best Yarn Winder?

Surprisingly enough, there are different kinds of ball winders. Factors include the material, durability, and size of the ball of yarn (technically, cake of yarn) you want to make.

Here’s a summary of the best ones to choose from:

Best Overall: Knit Picks Yarn Ball Winder (Amazon or Knit Picks)
Best Budget Friendly: 3.5 oz Winder (Amazon)
Best for Large Amounts of Yarn: Large Stanwood Yarn Winder (Amazon)
Best Looking: Wooden Electric Winder (Amazon)
Fanciest: Ashford Ball Winder (Paradise Fibers)
Bonus: Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder (Amazon)

Knit Picks Hand Operated Yarn Ball Winder (Purple)

Yarn Winder by RRigo - Easy to Set Up and Use - Hand Operated Yarn Ball Winder 3.5 Ounce Capacity + 10 PCS Stitch Knitting Needles + 10 PCS Plastic Needles + 1PCS Scissors

Stanwood Needlecraft Large Metal Yarn/Fiber/Wool/String Ball Winder - 10 oz

Hand Operated Premium Crafted Knitting & Crochet Ball Winder | Knitter's Gifts Center Pull Ball Winder | Nagina International

Lacis Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder

Best Overall - Knit Picks Yarn Ball Winder

Buy on Knit Picks

This yarn ball winder from Knit Picks is the best overall because of its price, durability, and colors.

It can wind up to 3.5 oz of yarn, which is standard.

The purple and white colors on this yarn ball winder are truly stunning compared to others out there. Personally, I find this one to be the prettiest. Aside from its looks, it’s also super durable. Unlike some other winders that feel flimsy and have the metal feeder tipping over during use, this one stays sturdy.

So if you can shell out just a couple more bucks for this one, this is the one you want to get.

Best Budget Friendly - 3.5 oz Winder

Buy on Amazon

This is actually the one I first purchased as a quick and cheap yarn ball winder. In addition to the yarn ball winder, you get a few extras including some plastic needles, thread trim, and stitch markers.

It’s the standard 3.5 oz size so you’re not missing out on anything in terms of size or function.

The only drawbacks are the 70’s colors and the metal feeder can occasionally fall during use, which is mildly annoying.

Best for Large Amounts of Yarn - Large Stanwood Yarn Winder

Buy on Amazon

This one will be a bit pricier, but you can fit a whopping 10oz of yarn on it. That’s almost three times the size of a standard winder!

So if you’re looking to wind large amounts of yarn into a ball, this is the one you want to get.

Best Looking - Wooden Yarn Winder

Buy on Amazon

For something unique, you can get also get wooden ball winder. While most winders are made of plastic, this one is made of beautiful wood.

It’s pretty much like any other ball winder, but the cool thing is you don’t need to clamp it to a table. Just plonk it on the table and you’re good to go.

The only downside is it takes up more space, but hey, it’s wooden, so at least it’s nice to look at!

Fanciest - Ashford Electric Winder

Buy on Paradise Fibers

If you want to go all out for a ball winder (perhaps for a gift?), this is the one to get! It can hold a massive amount of yarn (up to 17.5 oz to be precise!) and the best part is it’s electric so you don’t need to crank it to use. The downside is it’s over $500, which I personally can’t justify considering it only removes a couple of minutes of minimal effort. But if you really want it, go for it!

Bonus - Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder

Buy on Amazon

Here’s a bonus recommendation if you’re looking for a large yarn ball winder, but at a lower price. This one will wind up to 8 oz of yarn so it’s roughly double the size of a standard winder.

How to Use a Ball Winder to Make a Center Pull Ball

Attach the Winder to the Table

Start by attaching your yarn ball winder to the edge of the table. This is the one I’m using, but you can go above to my list of the best ones. And since creating this tutorial, I’ve upgraded to the Knit Picks winder.

There’s typically a part that sticks out on the bottom (I’m pointing to it in the image). This part goes under the table. Then use the wheel on top to tighten.

Pass the Yarn through the Feeder

Lift the metal feeder and lock it in place. Typically you’ll be able to lift it up and then pull it out to lock it.

If you’re super coordinated, you can simply feed the yarn through the feeder. For the rest of us, however, they’ve designed the feeder so you don’t have to be so coordinated.

Start by placing the yarn under the feeder.

Then lift the yarn up and to the left.

This will pull the yarn between the two loops.

Bring one end over to the right and down.

Then simply pull the yarn back to the left and you’ll have yarn that goes through the feeder.

Attach the Yarn to the Winder

There is a slit at the top of the winder. Place the yarn over the slit and pull down lightly to tuck it in.

Then start to turn the crank.

I like to hold the yarn with one hand against the middle of the winder. This way as the winder turns, it will secure the end in place.

Continue to turn the crank until you’ve finished winding the amount of yarn you want. Be sure to keep the tension even on the yarn as you turn it.

Tip: If the feeder falls down, make sure it’s secure and locked into place. The other option is simply hold it with one hand.

Lift your yarn off of the winder.

If you want a center pull ball, grab the yarn that’s across the middle post before lifting off.

Now you have your new cake of yarn.

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And you can see with this cake below that you now have access to both ends of yarn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Keep the Feeder Standing Up

You can either hold the feeder up with your hand or pull it out and turn it to make sure it locks.

It can also help to have the yarn come in from the left instead of the right. This way the pressure is in the direction to keep the feeder upright.

What to Do if the Yarn Starts Winding Around the Base

If the yarn is getting caught under the base of the winder, that likely means the yarn was too loose. I find this happens because there’s an issue unrelated to the winder. Since I typically use a yarn swift with it, it’s because the yarn got caught on the swift.

If you’re winding directly from a ball or skein, check it as the tension may have changed.

More Yarn Projects and How-To's to Try

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top photo shows purple yarn wound onto a yarn winder and the bottom shows a finished ball of yarn off of the yarn ball winder with the title "how to use a yarn winder"

How to Use a Yarn Winder

Learn how to use a yarn winder to easily make a ball or cake of yarn with two ends (also known as a center pull ball).

Yield 1 Center Pull Ball of Yarn

Print Pin

Project Time 2

Total Time 2

Materials

Yarn

Equipment

Yarn Winder

Instructions

Attach the winder to the table. There’s typically a part that sticks out on the bottom (I’m pointing to it in the image). This part goes under the table. Then use the wheel on top to tighten.
Lift the metal feeder and lock it in place. Typically you’ll be able to lift it up and then pull it out to lock it.
Start by placing the yarn under the feeder.
Yarn
Then lift the yarn up and to the left.
This will pull the yarn between the two loops.
Bring one end over to the right and down.
Then simply pull the yarn back to the left and you’ll have yarn that goes through the feeder.
Place the yarn over the slit and pull down lightly to tuck it in.
Then start to turn the crank.
I like to hold the yarn with one hand against the middle of the winder. This way as the winder turns, it will secure the end in place.
Continue to turn the crank until you’ve finished winding the amount of yarn you want.
Lift your yarn off of the winder.
If you want a center pull ball, grab the yarn that’s across the middle post before lifting off.

Keyword Center Pull Ball, Yarn, Yarn Winder

Daniela Kretchmer

Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.

Yarn Winder Guide – How to Use and Best Yarn Winders

Table of Contents

What is a Yarn Winder?

Which is the Best Yarn Winder?

Best Overall - Knit Picks Yarn Ball Winder

Best Budget Friendly - 3.5 oz Winder

Best for Large Amounts of Yarn - Large Stanwood Yarn Winder

Best Looking - Wooden Yarn Winder

Fanciest - Ashford Electric Winder

Bonus - Jumbo Yarn Ball Winder

How to Use a Ball Winder to Make a Center Pull Ball

Attach the Winder to the Table

Pass the Yarn through the Feeder

Attach the Yarn to the Winder

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to Keep the Feeder Standing Up

What to Do if the Yarn Starts Winding Around the Base

More Yarn Projects and How-To's to Try

Get the latest DIY tutorials, reviews, and crafting updates

You'll never be spammed and can unsubscribe at any time

How to Use a Yarn Winder

Materials

Equipment

Instructions

Daniela Kretchmer

More Craft Projects and Ideas

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