How to Deal with Yarn Barf | BEGINNER | The Crochet Crowd

For those who do centre pull yarn skeins, it depends on the type of machine the wound the ball if the tail is already hanging out. For example, the machines that wind the Caron One Pound and Caron Simply Soft are designed where the tails fall out of the centre.
In other balls, like the Bernat Maker Home Dec or Bernat Blanket, it's a different machine where the tails aren't out. It's a technology design of a machine. I know what you are thinking, change or modify the machines but that costs money and dealing with yarn barf aka a chunk of yarn coming from the middle is not a big deal in most cases.
I find as a crocheter, I can crochet the yarn barf pretty quickly, so it's inconvenient but give me about 10 - 20 minutes into the project, it can be used up and the ball is pulling the yarn from the center like normal.
Steps:
1 - Reach In and Use your Fingers to Expand the interior.
2 - Remove the ball band and gently squash the ball inward. This willopen the centre of the ball more.
3 - Reach in with two fingers and pinch together and feel for 1 strand and gently pull out.
4 - You may actually have the end of the yarn but just keep pulling until their only 1 strand coming from the ball.
5 - Find the end of the yarn and then wind back pull back the yarn so there are no tangles. This is demoed in the video.
6 - Once done, put the yarn barf on the floor beside your armchair and crochet as normal. Eventually, it will use it up and you can continue as normal. #crochet #learntocrochet #crochettutorial .
This video is closed-captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. The captioning is also available in multiple languages such as Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese. The written pattern is only available in English. . *** .
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[@debbyburns1718]

OMGOODNESS!!!! I laughed so hard at this video. My husband was sitting across the table from me when I turned this video on and he kept looking up from what he was doing and finally asked me what the heck I was watching. Mikey, I love your laugh! This video would not have been nearly as good without it!

[@mrs.crochet3442]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJSVl2uJp9d6psU

[@yelenabykova4742]

😂🤣 that is hilarious!! My boyfriend does this and watches funny videos all the time, to the point where I feel the need to know what’s so funny 😆

[@connieduncannorrell6181]

My husband just did the same thing! Mikey, you are a treasure!

[@rosekettelson106]

Agree, I shouldn’t be watching this after 2 glasses of wine. Makes it even funnier 🤣

[@dEEmARIE-]

oh my word....I'm crying this was so funny to me. I just sent it to all my crafting buddies. Thanks for the chuckle

[@MelanieCravens]

After I get the barf untangled, I wind it around three fingers about 20 times, slip it off and stuff it back into the ball and repeat the process until all that is left out is what I need to work with. Because each mini-ball is basically stacked on top of the previous one, no more tangles or barf and it feeds out smoothly and I don't have a wad of loose yarn for my cats to re-tangle.

[@Atraxii]

Same here!

[@ravenlunatic1177]

I do that too. Makes it easier.

[@debrawilson8525]

Thank you

[@janettaylor1136]

Same here

[@shirley9240]

Great suggestion! Thanks!

[@emqrald]

I love how unhinged this video is while still being informative. Thank you for the laughs, I shed a tear

[@MsSamanatha]

How you kept your laughter inside along with the "PG" is beyond me I busted a gut right after you said "look in the hole" U Rock!

[@amydavis4945]

They could roll them as tight as they want and STILL leave the center pull in an easy-to-find spot. Yarn barf doesn't really piss me off, it's just a bother when I just want to crochet. One word of advice (to anyone reading this).... only pull on yarn until you feel it tightening, then stop and find what it's hanging up on. It's MUCH easier to work out a loose knot than a knot you pulled tight. Most of the time it's not even really a knot... it's just loops of yarn that have a single strand that circled around them and as long as you don't pull until it's tight, you can easily pull the loops free and continue on.

[@tanyab78]

Hobbi make easy start center pull tabs! Game changer!!!

[@barbroeder1329]

Yarn barf doesn’t bother me. I usually wrap it around the ball, especially if there’s a lot. Herrschners brand has center pull tabs without barf.

[@emmylu1996]

I've never heard it called yarn barf, but that is definitely an accurate term! I was cracking up so hard during this video!

[@mariechavez4356]

Lol Mikey, "let's keep this PG" but that adorable giggle bumps the rating right on up. 🤭💖

[@nyakuonyriek5498]

That just made my day

[@lorishavlik7209]

I know, hilarious! It deemed a replay. 😂

[@donnalynn2]

OK, I never thought dirty thoughts sticking my fingers in the yarn holes. LOL

[@mariechavez4356]

@@donnalynn2 lol me either but Mikey IS a man, they are just born with that thought I think 😂

[@meenha1976]

lol thats what makes him unique

[@histress16]

I just give my yarn barf a little loose shakes. And I have found that it works really well with hardly ever a knot. I love it. It makes it so much easier. Thank you Mikey.

[@sandygrogg1203]

Actually, this is how we untangle rosaries.. Works nearly every time.

[@vikimckane9765]

same, gently shaking while gently pulling seems to work for me! key word is gentle lol 😆

[@heathercraver7457]

This was hilarious and super helpful! I always thought yarn barf was a result of me not knowing what I'm doing. Thank you for sharing!

[@sineadkeogh6335]

Oh my goodness... On a very wet, cold day in lockdown Ireland? You made me laugh so much..

[@mrs.crochet3442]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJSVl2uJp9d6psU

[@cloudbringer104]

Likewise but from Scotland.

[@sineadkeogh6335]

I'm Scottish as well.

[@kathleenleslie5527]

A very wet north east of England was made a bit brighter, thank you Mikey. x

[@danielledegeorge2129]

Lol, me too but from America... and it's snowing here 🤣❄

[@francesca.pellegrino]

I actually find untangling yarn relaxing -- looks like I'm the weirdo, haha. This video made my morning!

[@tschodowski]

I consider it a challenging puzzle :)

[@mrs.crochet3442]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJSVl2uJp9d6psU

[@ImWilwarin]

It's therapy for me😅

[@rozasanchez6884]

Agree. It’s relaxing to me also😀

[@luanamoonlight3068]

absolute Therapy and a good way to get rid of Anxiety ^^

[@southdakotahandmaid9205]

I gave up on center pull bundles like this decades ago...bought myself a really nice yarn winder and rewind them from the outside. This is much less stressful for me and makes for a beautiful cake of yarn while I work with it!♥️

[@kathybrightman9290]

What brand of yarn winder? The one I bought didn’t work.

[@southdakotahandmaid9205]

@@kathybrightman9290 I have a Standwood yarn winder. It was more expensive, but oh my gosh! It has been a game changer! I will see if I can find the link and post it...

[@ashleelarsen5002]

1:18 I don't think girls find this as weird as Mikey does

[@kd-yd5pk]

Yeah I have my eye on one of these and it's top on my wishlist!

[@ashleelarsen5002]

@@kd-yd5pk that's my main source of exercise these days.

[@kl8132]

This was a delight to watch, and yes people need to seriously "suck it up buttercup". This is yarn made for mass amounts of people and going to mass amounts of places. Show some patience, see the humor and have a huge laugh and move on. There are truly more important things to do then complain about a tight yarn ball. Mikey, I love your laugh. Its full of fun and brings a cascade of laughs with it. Thank you for YOUR patience with the masses.

[@bjwilson0952]

And THIS is how people who crochet have FUN!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ashleydyer7988]

The absolute best video on how to deal with yarn barf and laugh hysterically while doing so! 😂

[@bluezazoo9677]

“Yarn barf?” First time ever hearing that! Funny. I never get mad at it, it just is what it is.

[@smokiencooper4264]

You did a good job of keeping this a PG rated video....I’d be trash talking the yarn with expletives! 😂

[@StormCaller5]

I grab both ends of the "barf" and start pulling in opposite directions. If I get resistance, I give a gentle shake. If that doesn't work, I look for the spot that the yarn is caught and gently untangle that one spot. This method is super fast for me.

[@yelenabykova4742]

Thanks for sharing that!!☺️

[@lorasilva6125]

Same here👍

[@Atraxii]

I do that too!

[@sylviac2631]

Perfect!

[@TheBashfulClam]

That’s my way the shake shake shake always works fine. Loosy loosy shaky shaky.

[@kaseygraham6525]

Yarn puzzle guts? it is a yarn puzzle. Love your Humor!!

[@francesdiannehorton1021]

ooohhhaaaaaa mikey -- I have not laughed so much since BC (BEFORE COVID) -- I have often gone into the deep darkness of my yarn balls but you actually talked about it -- like it's the right thing to do -- hahaha -- and each time you giggle I break up again --- I am glad to realize that "yarn barf" is fault of the manufacturer -- I always thought it was just me doing the spelunking wrong -- I need to wipe my tears now -- thank you

[@BadgerandBee]

Mikey....I have been knitting and crocheting for an eternity, and I love your tutorials. I have picked up some great tips from you, THANKS! So when I saw this post I thought, "Well, FINALLY someone has solved this annoying issue!" I found that you do it exactly the way I do it, just accept the extra 3-4 minutes it takes to untangle. BUT I laughed so hard I cried, and had to watch it twice. I've come across yarns that have dealt with this during manufacturing and tied both ends outside the skein. Wish they would all do that. I'll never deal with yarn barf without thinking of you and laughing from here on!

[@HaitianChica100]

🤣🤣 My husband kept asking me what I was watching. And your laugh... is fantastic.... I love it!

[@rosesperfumelace]

I love that term, yarn barf. Because that is just what it looks like. Thanks for the laugh. 😂

[@christituck4409]

'Yarn barf' 😄🤣 I've never heard that before... I needed a good laugh!!! 'Lets keep this PG' followed by your laugh 😄🤣... I bet you're a hoot at parties and get togethers!!! Thank you for bringing a smile!!! ☺️ And thank you for taking the time to teach all of us...

[@timmyangeltlc4888]

There was just no way to keep the innuendo out of this video. It was hilarious. Thanks Mikey.

[@sandrasteyn9017]

That giggle had me laughing, so I thank you for that. Must say I am a detangler , I will sit and detangle that 'yarn barf' without any fuss.

[@luanamoonlight3068]

I love untangling Yarn Barfs, it's so soothing and calming

[@andreakovach6974]

The title and entire video cracked me up! Thanks for the laugh this morning!

[@mrs.crochet3442]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJSVl2uJp9d6psU

[@carolscrazycrochetmore5093]

I have to tell you your videos really brighten my day!! I suffer from bipolar disorder and I always get a nice giggle from your videos. Thanks for being you, so real!! 💚😊💚😊

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

I hope you have a great day.

[@traceypeale6754]

Yarn barf is the story of my life!!! You're correct in saying "just deal with it"!

[@joycejnn]

Use the yarn from the outside and work inwards then.

[@laisa1956]

When this happens, I take the strand that comes out of the ball and start winding it around the ball, working my way up to the beginning of the barf. When I am done the whole barf part is neatly wound around the ball and I can start working immediately without any further tangles.

[@cdmp1313]

Same.

[@SelfAbridged]

I do the same thing. I try and wind it around one side of the skein if it's a longer one, so that I can kind of prop it up and unwind easily.

[@sheleenc]

that is exactly what I do with it also.

[@luanamoonlight3068]

me too ^^

[@TheTugboatgirl]

Same here. Its risky to start at the end

[@DSMC46]

Mikey you keep everything entertaining. Thank you! Never lose that wonderful giggle 😊

[@la_diva_maria]

Thanks Mikey! I needed that. I just reach in, grab, and yank out yarn. If the mass comes out as a mess, I call it a yarn barf. If it comes out neatly, it’s a yarn baby.

[@mamabear3428]

After a day of work I appreciate your humor. Thanks for the laugh 😂

[@valaskin8600]

well this made my morning - not only did i giggle with you, but it is nice to see that even you at times have to deal with tangles.

[@janethedberg9581]

I’ve knit for 70 years and never thought of calling it YARN barf! But that’s exactly what it is. Every knitter has had this happen and out of frustration snipped the knot away. I did laugh at your description as you went along pulling out the knot!

[@madammarie2420]

I didn't realize it was called yarn barf but the name is appropriate and I hated yarn barf until this video, so much help and the funny giggles made me smile, thanks!

[@jeannainnc8390]

OMG this video should go viral. I have not stopped laughing at your antics.

[@jinkamafrink]

LOL!!! I used to get frustrated but when I had fully one THIRD of the skein "barf" I learned to just be patient and "deal with it" Now I find it kind of relaxing. After all I am STILL working with yarn and that makes me happy!

[@rysie7383]

Yeah there's always the initial "ugh" moment when it first comes out, but then it's kind of therapeutic for me to get it unwound and in order. I'm glad you were in such a good mood filming this!

[@efbellitti9812]

Love your laugh!! The jokes and that make every video better 🤣 "suck it up buttercup"

[@rabidemu1280]

Didn’t get any new tips but the giggling made me so happy and I will watch this over and over. 🙂

[@chezshivy2762]

Made me laugh this Sunday morning! Thanks!

[@margrietsmit6]

I am really bad. I cut off the 'yarn barf' and use the single strand from the center. I roll up the mess later and then use it up at the end, if i need it.

[@smokiencooper4264]

Good idea! Thanks

[@rosesperfumelace]

I do that too. I get too aggravated with the process. Cut it and keep it for later.

[@sloppyjoe3617]

Exactly what I do! Cut the mess off and be done with it, I say.

[@awali48]

Thanks for this, I too prefer to pull from the middle however I have a tendency of being impatient and pulling on the whole yarn barf at once to end up with a wadded mess. Oh and of course it takes me all my life to find the dang gone end :-(. Sometimes I will just cut the yarn to end up winding it back on to my trusty paper towel ring at which point I am totally frustrated and abandon it into the tub of forgotten scraps never to be seen or heard from again. LOL. Again thanks for helping me avoid this in the future.

[@johansson8803]

Soooo funny!!! Thanks for making me laugh out loud! 🤣🤣 Next time I’m going to try taking off the yarn band & do the “squish”. That’s the only part of your demo that I haven’t tried before.

[@Cedartree-cf6om]

Im glad to see Im not the only barf yanker, then I find the end to create a ball, so it can roll around on the floor to trip up my hubby. LOL!!!!!!

[@kristelfuller8422]

😂 this video gave me a good laugh this morning. I usually don't have huge issues with yarn barf, but one of the colors from my wip just gave me an hour of hell recently. It was so bad I ended up having to cut it. One of the yarn brands I use puts the end pull at the end and puts a small paper tab on it. ❤ Ingenious! Why every company doesn't do this is beyond me.😄

[@johansson8803]

I know which yarn brand uses the paper tab on the center yarn end, I use their yarn too. I’ve wondered the same thing-why can’t other companies also do that??

[@louiserichard1912]

@@johansson8803 what brand is that?

[@johansson8803]

Herrschner’s Worsted

[@Teresadavila33]

This is hilarious!!! Your laugh is amazing... I don't think I can look at a ball of yarn with a straight face after watching this! Thanks for making ,what is a regular occurrence for me .. a light hearted one!. Thanks from Australia 🇦🇺

[@luvmylab01]

I just love your laugh. That's exactly how I do my yarn barfs.

[@desertrose57]

This is why I stopped trying to pull from the center a long time ago

[@angiedonald7770]

Yarn barf!!! 🤣😂🤣 What a GREAT, fitting term!!! I laughed so hard at the start of this video! Thank you for that!

[@laurelgirard8475]

Your doing YarnCPR!! I swear, the last six months I have been spending more time untangling yarn barf than ever!! It seems like every center skein comes out in one pull! Then it takes me longer to untangle than I get to spend crocheting!!I work from both sides, going forward and backwards until there is none left. I normally don’t mind, but I honestly began to wonder if there is an international plot to drive me insane!!

[@j.s.1816]

🤣

[@grandmalovesmebest]

😂😂😂no, I know it isn't funny, but a plot there may be. Recently, I bought a bunch of yarns from joann's. It had just come in store and was being put in the bins. When I got home, I started crocheting a sweater and no barf! Wow. So after several days (I'm slow bc I'm old, have bad hands, and a cold apt) I got bored w the rep stitch and started my second sweater, same with my third. Guess what? 3 different brands, 18 skeins, no barfs at all! It appears that many unscrupulous ppl use a bit of a skein then return it to the store, stuffing the yarn in to make it appear full. Also, ppl pull the end out to compare it to a fabric or another yarn or to check the qualiry, then restuff it into the skein. The looser strands get loose in the bins as ppl sort through them and come unraveled and are restuffed by the staff reorganizing the bins. Etc. When I was young, the instructions told us to pull the tucked in yarn from the left *using the label as left/right, then pull the single strand from the right. No barfs. So yes, the yarn can have no barfs and should have none. Such are changing times.

[@suenelson7667]

As a new yarn person I thank you for letting me know I am not alone or doing something wrong! Thank you

[@jacquelynwilliams4798]

Oh my gosh you made me laugh!!! (Badly needed on a 20 degree, snowy day). During lockdown I have taught myself to knit and crochet and lately have been getting very frustrated with tangled yarn and yarn barf. Now I will laugh when dealing and “suck it up buttercup”. Thank you, thank you!

[@irenebrophy3284]

FIRST OF ALL, THIS WAS HILARIOUS!!! LOVED ALL YOUR COMMENTARY AND NOISES. I never knew this and how to dissolve it. THANK YOU!!!

[@chrsd2536]

First of all you are my hero. I thought that I was the only one that this ever happened to. Truly. This made me laugh out loud 😂. Thank you so very much for posting this. Your laugh...😂

[@candicekeel1756]

🤣😂 Thank you for this very fun and informative video! I personally never complain about yarn barf but I thought it was worth the watch!

[@Fair-to-Middling]

Love that giggle!

[@donnacullins3490]

Mikey, you are hilarious 🤣. I needed to laugh today. 😍

[@dorcasfields6624]

I use the yarn like you do. I got tickled when you laughed about the "hole".😉

[@lillianhernandez3374]

i don't usually watch your videos but I came across this one and I was hysterical laughing! It was refreshing to be able to laugh during these trying times. Thanks brother!

[@daninb8939]

I had this exact issue yesterday and I just gave up and started with another ball. Now I know how to deal with it when the time comes. Thank you!

[@cyndiviguerias6704]

Very informative but nothing beats your giggles! 😆 thank you!!

[@Messenger_of_the_Gods1226]

Best video ever. Thanks for the laugh and knowledge. I had no idea that mess that comes out actually has name, a name I now love.

[@krislarsen5707]

I learned how to wind wool while leaving an end which becomes the middle strand and you use it same as any centre pull. This has saved my sanity. Very easy but hard to explain. I’ll be on the ship in australia and hope I can learn some things. It will be closest I get to a chrochet cruise I’ll get even it’s not officially a crochet cruise. I ode cruise life so I’ll be happy. I look forward to meeting you and other crochet people. Love and light. 71 year old aussie. It’s my birthday while we cruise so I’m sure I’ll have fun

[@Yjuania]

Thank you so much for this video. I get tired of tangling up my yarn barf while trying to use it! Your 1-2, 1-2 reminds me of CPR!

[@juliehill1947]

This is the best video I’ve seen in forever! You have the best laugh!!!

[@nikkinaseem4776]

I adore you!! The giggles make the video😂😂😂. I too hate the yarn barf. Thank you for the video.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

It can be therapeutic and is also an exercise in patience. That laugh though...lol

[@miryamkgreen4838]

Hilarious! Are we just planning to gloss over “massaging the yarn barf”?! Now there’s something I never thought I’d hear 😂

[@katheadams9917]

One of the funniest tutorials I have seen! Keep up the great work! Love your videos, best on the ‘net!

[@candeeg3593]

I'm so glad I'm the only one in the office today...I laughed so hard! Mikey, you are so awesome and entertaining. Love everything you post.

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

Definitely a first world issue eh!

[@kellycarter2497]

Oh I love your laugh! Cold and snowy here in PA., folding laundry and laughing with Mikey

[@allhandmadebychetta]

Thank you! You are absolutely right. This is exactly part of the process and sometimes it can be challenge but isn't that what everything is all about? Love that this made it to a video and love your laugh.

[@mst5543]

LMAO the innuendo is priceless. I actually find unraveling "yarn barf" is therapeutic to me.

[@acerjuglans]

Untangling yarn is a zen exercise for me. It's so calming.

[@bindymcphee1986]

Bahaha! The beginning of this still has me laughing!! 😅

[@BellaNC]

I've never heard the terms "yarn barf" before! That's a good description of what happens many a time! LOL

[@kathylebarron9957]

Thanks for the help. Next yarn barf I'll remember you telling me to suck it up! I've been crocheting about 57 yrs(wow) and back then for many many yrs skeins were done right. The starting end was always sticking out and there never was a barf burp or fart!!

[@stephaniemiranda1193]

Very informative but I'm laughing so hard I'm crying! 🤣

[@kimberlypatton9634]

I have more than my share of b.s. and anxiety in my everyday life without putting up with this minor aggravation! My whole reason for crocheting to begin with was for therapeutic reasons and to have an outlet to learn and experience some small measure of order and serenity I could have to hold on to ...My solution is that I keep my scissors close and simply cut away that wad of chaos once departed to where the end is isolated at least and SNIP it away from the rest and start fresh..A knot is truly minor price to pay at the end to unravel and reattach the clusterfork...And these days it's all about what battles I choose to allow- insignificant or not! ...I suppose In some ways yarn barf is a blessing! Great video,and I'm looking forward to learning more from your channel! Also..my late husband ( 38 years together until 2017) actually tried his very best and was so interested in learning how to crochet- privately at home anyways! He would never have stopped being teased by his fellow malefriend who were also city bus drivers...and his mother made many beautiful intricate thread and filet bedspreads and tablecloths etc and was a great teacher as well.But his large hands seemed to get in his way and the "overthinking " ruined it for him,so he stuck to video games! Stay well( and everyone else too!) and thanks again for the smiles this morning!

[@puamanapam307]

Who knew barf could be so much fun? Thanks, Mikey. Needed a good laugh.

[@TheMatingbflies]

I MISS THIS YARN TERRIBLY. THANKS for the reminder Mikey!♥️

[@KariReed1]

I love that you had fun with this video!!! I was laughing because Mikey was laughing. 🤭

[@vindeljay]

I love your laugh, so contagious. Thanks for the info and the entertainment, I laughed so much. Cool... I think my husband was a bit jealous that he wasn't in on this very funny moment.

[@erikteno6099]

Your Canadian accent in addition to your laugh made this video so enjoyable to watch.

[@kathydonaldson1705]

Thanks for the Sunday morning chuckle! Made my day!

[@alishaa2581]

This is the funniest most chilled out video I've watched on your channel yet 🤣😂😆. B u more !

[@rachaelferguson7096]

lol - ROFL - thank you!!! Usually I have no problem with this, but last night it just kept coming... and coming... and coming - with NO end in sight. I got half way through the skein - and STILL no end!!! At this point, DO NOT give up and start using the outside end!!! It just caused the ball to become twisted in on inself even more and you won't be able to use either end!!! THANKS for making my day!

[@TheCrochetCrowd]

crazy times eh! haha untangle that yarn!

[@cathiez9131]

I'm so used to yarn barf that I'm surprised when I don't get it! Thanks for the tips, Mikey!

[@lbessinger]

ROFL 🤣 Oh Mikey, your laugh cracked me up!🤪😂😜🤣 Yep, I have to do this with almost every skein of yarn...

[@jaimeleigh5577]

Your laugh & humor is contagious🤗

[@cindyfuller6381]

I love yarn barf! It practices my patience.

[@stageluvr91]

😂😂 I needed this so badly. I love Mikey‘s laugh!!

[@Archivist82]

“No better solution than patience” ❤️

[@nbeasley2]

I've been through this for the past month with about 40 balls. I do it just like you did. You're so freakin' funny!!! I needed this laugh.

[@susanpurnell2433]

Oh Mikey, that giggle made my day & made me smile, despite covid gloom. Thankyou so much 😊

[@ctianas]

Nothing new here for me, but SO fun to watch. This is how I do it as well. It is an excelent practice of patience, and what a satisfaction in the end when you finish untangling it!

[@roseraiken6627]

My Mom would always roll the skeins into balls. I'm glad to see another way to work it