How to convert yarn hanks into balls

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Winding Thread Like a Pro …

well almost !!!

A quick, easy, no-nonsense way to convert hanks to balls 

September, last year, I bought 2 hanks of crochet thread/yarn. I prefer branded, pre-wound balls since they are ready-to-use. No winding of thread/yarn is required before one starts a project. Saves time & effort. Yet, I succumbed to some very soft, thin ecru thread with lovely silken texture & purchased 2 hanks.

I don’t know what prompted me – perhaps the Anchor crochet cotton balls I had ….

I decided to roll a strip of cardstock for the centre & wind the thread over this, just as in the store-bought balls.

Well, surprisingly, I had fun winding up the hank ! And as I wound it, I got a bit more creative & turns out, it is extremely easy to wind thread like a pro !!! 
Okay, I didn’t get that good a finish, but if one is just a wee bit careful, the hand-wound ball will be no different than a store-bought/branded one. Unfortunately, I did not have a 3^rd hank; I guarantee it would’ve been, um, exactly like the real thing ;-))

I made a pictorial with the 2^nd hank.

Materials required :

Hank of thread/yarn

Strip of cardstock – less than 2" wide x 7-8" long.

 

Fig. 1 shows the only 2 things required !!!

Roll the cardboard strip into a hollow cylinder. The cross-sectional diameter of this hollow is about ¾". (Fig 2)

Start winding thread normally, around the center of the cylinder. The direction of movement is indicated by red arrow, if one is winding in clockwise direction. Keep the tension of winding yarn 'normal'; it should never be too taut or pulled/stretched!

About 20-25 rolls should suffice to give it some body & act as a ‘holding edge’ for subsequent rounds. (Fig 3)

From now on, it is important to space out the winding : each subsequent round should be adjacent to the previous round, not above it.

Now start winding the thread ‘diagonally’ instead of a simple circle, as indicated by red arrow. (Fig 4)

Continue is this diagonal motion. But after every few winds, turn the cylinder a bit so that the winding thread does not bunch up in one place. (Figs 5, 6)

I found it convenient to insert my left thumb into the hollow & rotating the cylinder as I wound the thread over it with my right hand. (Fig 7)

I have not been very neat. Each round could’ve been a bit closer to the previous one, instead of being so spaced out . But that is extra effort as per moi, especially if only I am going to use it.

 

As you continue winding, you will notice that the distance from the cardstock edge will keep decreasing until finally the cardboard is almost totally covered up. (Figs.  8, 9, 10)

Fig 11 shows both the hanks wound up, one ball per hank.

These next 2 images on the right show a comparison with branded balls.

Notes/Tips :

• I used 2" wide cardstock. It should’ve been a bit less – 1½"- 1¾" is preferable. Then the edges would be completely hidden by the outer rounds of thread, as in the case of store-bought balls. I realized later, that I could've actually snipped away the extra lengths at the sides before I came to the end of the yarn !
• Any old bookmark, cut to correct dimensions, would work as well !
• When winding diagonally, move the thread from one edge to the other while rotating the hollow centre. The thread will remain in place due to the initial bunched-up rounds !
• Never wind over the previous round. Always space it out just a tad; keep the winds adjacent.
• The winding should not be too tight/taut; this will affect the quality & durability of the yarn/thread.
• I wound the thread in clockwise direction. But whichever is comfortable ….
• It is possible to achieve a much better finish.

Unwind as you wind – it’s that easy :-) 

Update : Another post on winding hanks into skeins & related ramblings on yarn & threads, here.