How to hand wind a center-pull ball of yarn

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Mechanical ball winders are all well and good, but what if you don't have one, or what if it isn't practical to use one? In this video, you'll learn how to wind a center pull ball that will allow you use access both yarn tails, and will sit in place regardless of which end you choose to use. A traditional Scandinavian tool called a "nostepinne" is demonstrated, as well as a tool we all have around the house: the standard toilet roll (or paper towel roll).
To jump directly to a specific point in the video, click on the adjacent link:
Introduction: 0:00
The standard yarn ball: 0:12
Advantages/disadvantages of commercially prepared center pull ball: 0:24
Hanks (yarn distributed that is not wound into a ball): 1:08
Advantages of a center-pull "cake" created using a mechanical ball winder at home: 1:16
Simple tools for winding a cake at home: 1:40
Using the simple tools: 2:27
Advantages of "cakes" over center pull balls wound without any tools: 5:08
Final words: 5:46
If you have questions about this video, or suggestions for future videos, please let me know down in the comments or on social media.
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls
Rox Rocks Ravelry group: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks

[@jarethhsms]

As a woodworker with a family full of knitters you just set me up with a lot of quick gifts. Thanks!

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I know this is two years too late, but if you are going to make this, put an indented ring around the top, like the center rings, but just one about 1/2” from the top. And drill a hole in the bottom also about 1/2” from the end for a hanging loop. It’s much more versatile with these modifications

[@annaf3628]

It would also be convenient to wrap your yarn around an empty paper towel tube and place the finished yarn cake (still w/the paper towel tube in the center of the yarn cake) on a paper towel holder to use as a yarn dispenser while doing your future projects

[@vickiecrabtree301]

My favorite method, since I don't own a ball winder, is to use a large straight sided prescription bottle. The end of the yarn is put inside the bottle and the lid screwed on to anchor it. Then I just wind away. When I'm done, I remove the lid, pull out the bottle and I have a perfect yarn cake!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Amazing how many ways there are to get to the same thing, when it comes to knitting!

[@suemauer5965]

I sometimes do this, but I leave the bottle in place and put the yarn label inside.

[@kathysmoroden5331]

Vickie Crabtree what a great idea. Perks for being unwell are few and far between,!

[@daniellance6892]

you probably dont give a shit but does anybody know of a way to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb forgot the login password. I would appreciate any help you can give me

[@daniellance6892]

@Tomas Elon I really appreciate your reply. I found the site through google and Im trying it out atm. Takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@ZimVader-0017]

Instead of a toilet paper roll, I used the foil wrap roll. It's longer like your wooden tool and of sturdier cardboard. It worked like a charm. Thank you :)

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It's amazing how many different ways there are to make this work, is it? :-)

[@bucket25361]

When I was a kid I remember standing for ’hours’ with my arms outstretched holding the yarn for my Mom who made me the coolest things.

[@pooppoop3595]

THANKS I WILL DEF DO THIS!!

[@Pixxelina]

@@patportran4683 worked for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@berneemartin8859]

@@patportran4683 your comment made me curious. So I googled how to do this with a nostepinne. This video by Chantelle at Fiberific was very informative kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Kan4BnlKplbLc

[@sandygrogg1203]

I clearly remember my Grandaddy holding the yarn for my Gramma!

[@joefran619]

I do it for my wife now I drink a lot!

[@bdancestars]

joe fran HAHAHAHA 😬

[@loyaltytoroyalty]

I did it for my Granny. It seemed to take for ever when I was six or seven, and boy! did it make my arms ache!

[@marywood2561]

Yes...my Aunt had me help wind Aunt Lydia's Rug Yarn...She had arthritis, so she held it and I wound it..:)

[@Ginnyvelarde]

Instead of tucking in the tail of the yarn, I lock it to the body with a child’s hair clip which I buy at The Dollar Tree Store. I get 10 for $1.00. They work like a charm .

[@suzannacoleman4811]

I'm going to do that. It's soo annoying when the yarn unravels from the outside.

[@desireemarana4997]

I️ use a turkey Baster with the bulb off. I️ string the yarn through the center and tape it to the bottom. Works like a charm.

[@rebeccaclarke9985]

BEST winding video I've found thank you so much.

[@sunrhyze]

I've just watched about five tutorials on the nostepinne (so everyone else doesn't have to), and can report that this was definitely the best one. For sheer bravery I can recommend watching Arne & Carlos trying this for the very first time. It was amusing (they are always amusing). I was inspired to buy a couple of these in different sizes from a guy in Nebraska, at Etsy, and now I know how to use them! Thank you (maybe I should tell Arne & Carlos to watch your video). A little bonus from A&C is you get to hear an actual Norwegian pronounce this Norwegian word! Or we could just call it a winding stick.

[@sunrhyze]

@@patportran4683 If you know of a better one, I'm sure that knitters here would greatly appreciate your providing specific information about it.

[@louiset2079]

This is excellent. I am going to try this with a loo roll or kitchen towel roll while my mechanical winder is trapped in storage. Thank you and I love the idea of putting the ball band into the centre.

[@katmarrs7054]

Thank you so much! I've had a nostepinne forever and thought it would be easy and I just tangled my yarn up so I tucked it away with my other lost projects. And I decided to try again and found your video! I just finished my first cake!

[@nickybailey791]

I have been knitting and crocheting for decades but have never seen this before. It's brilliant, thank you😊

[@scizessita]

Thank you, Roxanne Richardson! I just discovered you by pure chance in my quest for a way to wind a center-pull ball of yarn by hand. I now proudly count myself among your subscribers. I'm also very happy to know that you have a presence on Ravelry. Will look for you there. THanks again.

[@lynnysharp8428]

This tutorial is incredibly comprehensive! Thank you for the simple explanations

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You're very welcome!

[@myhandsaslanguage]

This is so cool! Thank you so much for this tutorial. I didn’t feel confident in winding with just my fingers, but I didn’t want to buy a yarn-winder that I don’t really have space for. This is the perfect middle ground!

[@vdosmimi]

Thank you!!! My sweet husband bought me a nice new set of crochet hooks and a nostepinne - and I figured it was for winding yarn, but didn’t know how. And I didn’t know the proper name. 😊

[@catznjam470]

I've also used wooden spoons or, for a long time, I had the butt end of an old pool cue - this works for lengthy macramé cords too👍👍 very handy!!

[@melissakreitzer7206]

Thank you! As a weaver and fiber artist I am adding yarn to my weaving. I always wondered why it needed to be wound "again" once I bring it home from store.

[@katphyre]

Thank you. I've hand wound yarn for decades but never knew that I should wind on a core at a slant and turn the core toward me for a centerpull ball. So much better!! I've started buying in hanks instead of commercial skeins and it all has to be wound so this is great info.

[@Wetherby10]

Great video! I especially liked the section demonstrating how to wrap the yarn on the 'nostepinne' with the camera-view showing how the work would look to me. I just finished winding my first 'ball' of yarn. It was easier than I'd thought it would be. I used a French rolling pin and taped the starting yarn in place with masking tape.

[@angieweldon8710]

Great video instruction, first time using one and I love it!! I love the suggestion of putting the yarn label in the middle of the ball once completed so it's always with the yarn, now I know where it is when I need it, great suggestion!! Thank you!

[@mireah]

Thank you for this vid. I'm a newbie to crocheting and found your vid very informative. I'm self taught via KZbin, so while it's been great for showing me how to hold my hand and the yarn, as well as the stitches and jargon of the craft. What nobody's done (that I've spotted) is show why you take from the centre of the ball rather than the outside. Made me have a 'DOH... that's why my wool does that.....' moment.

[@theastewart6721]

Great idea! Very inventive! Thanks for sharing!

[@reneereed4772]

Great video. I've had a nostepenne for several years and this is the easiet and very understandable video I've seen. Thanks

[@linettelow]

This is very informative :) Thanks so much, Roxanne ♡ Have a beautiful week. Xx

[@sheliahammer5286]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you!

[@iheartu27]

LOVED this! looking for ways to be more minimalist and I don't want to keep collecting tools that I don't use daily, using a paper towel/TP roll is GENIUS

[@lindachandler2293]

Just did my first center pull on a toilet paper roll. I love it! I think I'll save one of the heavier plastic wrap cardboard centers, so it's sturdier. Thanks bunches.

[@karenferrer215]

I love this method. I’ve been using my fingers but this is much neater looking making into a flat shaped. Thank you for posting 😊

[@marymartin8802]

Thanks so much for the helpful video on how to roll a centre pull ball of yarn as I had purchased a very simple tapered core for winding yarn but wasn't sure how to do it - your video was so helpful - thanks again.

[@radhalapure9787]

Wonderful idea of paper towel roll....😊

[@joanaperez9851]

Muchas gracias, por ofrecernos estos pequeños consejos, que son muy útiles en la práctica...!!!

[@nortok00]

Great video! I have seen the wooden nostepinnes before but had no idea what it was for. Using the toilet paper or paper towel roll is awesome. I also read through the comments and there are a lot of great alternatives suggested by viewers! 👍 I'm.going to try this. 😁

[@sharmanklinefelter508]

thank you roxy so helpful

[@sharongamble9854]

Thank you so much for the idea. The video inspired me to "wind" the balls those balls that want to roll away.

[@tchklette]

Thanks for a great video with very clear instructions.

[@calistachan6998]

this is so wonderful! i have anxiety and this method was so understandable and lovely - thank you so much :)

[@kokilpaul9737]

Thank you😊 Excellent idea to use the toilet roll👍

[@SugarCone]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, life saver as I didn't want to spend money on a mechanical winder xx

[@bettybanks5367]

Thankyou for this tutorial!

[@alessia-6699]

Great video! It's concise and gives all the information needed. Thank you :)

[@raynashilling1245]

Great video. Very helpful. Thanks so much!

[@dauntiekay2768]

Great video--who knew--I am gonna have to try this! thanks for information!!!

[@marymccormack8118]

Brilliant explanation. Thank you!

[@mDiago6200]

Wow! What a great idea! Thank you so much.

[@p.f.b.1484]

Thank you for this video! Very clear and useful!

[@daleodberg6714]

A very interesting video, thank you

[@Kathy-G]

Thank you for giving me inspiration... I just used a chunky yarn hook to wind my yarn into a yarn cake!

[@KriRama]

This is so helpful!! THANK YOU! ❤

[@lunacatfish]

Thank you SO much! Best tutorial on how to do this I've found :)

[@patphares6258]

Excellent tutorial….❤

[@ccam504]

Thank you so much for the video. Who knew I didn't have to invest in a ball winder, Yippee. What a great use for those recycled rolls, if they get too much use, just wait for the next one. ;-))

[@marciathomas8702]

Thanks... great tip. Will definitely try❤️

[@kkitomura]

I am so glad to have this info - thank you, it is perfect.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I'm so glad you found it useful! :-)

[@debbyferguson5638]

Loved the video!😊

[@flying2anotheruniverse]

I tried to wind a center pull ball a week ago, unfortunately before I knew about this video, and I'm now having a hard time knitting as I'm using both ends of the yarn :( Now I really know how important this video is.

[@elfriedeerickson7688]

Thank you so much for this video, I found it at the perfect time. Just started to learn to weave and now I don’ t need a yarn winder😍

[@joanmachado9063]

Great video

[@K26epic]

Thank you Roxanne!

[@adelabrouchy]

Very useful, thankyou.😀

[@priyalaxmikonjengbam1250]

Love this video. Thank you so much for this.

[@pamelaallen6543]

Thanks for the great info.

[@MsDebbyWebby]

Excellent! I happen to have toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls left over from another project I have finished. Thanks! I Subscribed.

[@bethupton385]

Thank you this was so helpful

[@OddWoz]

Excellent video. Great tips. Thank you! Subscribed. 👌🏼

[@susanyoung1129]

Thank you this was very helpful.

[@tazzlair]

This was a fantastic simple tutorial. Thank you!!!!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You are so welcome!

[@TheGingerNinjaJournals]

I know this video is old, but it was so helpful. Thank you!

[@Abs0629]

Thank you. I've been windingmine with hand since I was a kid. This is better

[@barenddutoit9931]

Hi Roxanne... thanks for all the great tutorials you share! You're my knitting Guru...!!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

And are you learning.....? :-)

[@barenddutoit9931]

Roxanne Richardson Definitely! With all the knowledge I've gained from you, I feel like a Pro!

[@cindyyeager8627]

A rigid cardboard tube from aluminum foil is my nostepinne. I've used this method since childhood.

[@BeautifulOaks]

Resourceful. Thank you.

[@pyro-millie5533]

Lifechanging. Thank you!

[@vitalinastepanenko2508]

Thank you very much ! Love your video and lessons!👍💪👏🏻🌹

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I'm so glad you like it/them! :-)

[@kerriebarney5823]

Thank you for a wonderful video! It helped me out so much!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad it helped!

[@monikajoyner2265]

I've learned winding yarn over a stick when I was a kid, so about 40 years ago. I use every kind of stick I have handy, like a pen or pencil. In my family we wind tight egg-shaped balls with just one end open. I definitely will try your way of winding loosely. Here is one of the best adventages of winding yarn over a stick: you can rewind in the middle of your knitting work (after ribbing for example) without cutting the thread. That's impossible with a yarn winder. Thank you for this video, it's really easy to understand and follow.

[@mckohtz]

Great idea! I think I could use an extra-large knitting needle to do this! Thanks!

[@luminousmoon86]

Thanks for this. I tried to follow a tutorial for just winding a center pull ball around my fingers, but I kept losing the yarn. Using a toilet paper roll is such a smart idea! I definitely think it'll work much better.

[@stitchann]

Thanks so much, Love it!

[@VasantiP]

Great Idea thank you.

[@lalagamma4452]

So simple! TY sharing! XO❤XO💘XO❤

[@wendijackson8844]

I tried this; worked great! However, the ball collapsed in on itself and became a tangled mess. It seems to work better with smaller amounts of yarn. I decided to keep the toilet paper roll in the ball, place it on a holder and use the yarn from the outside. Perfect for keeping the sleeve with the yarn.

[@nwadtrah]

That’s a brilliant idea! It would work great for colour work! (My need for the holder is greater than the bath room’s...)

[@Nietieismyname]

😂

[@angelaharris1112]

Thank you!

[@ahmedbuhari9536]

Thank you

[@violingineer7862]

Wow! I always thought I would have to buy some specialty machine for center pull skeins. I'm trying this today.

[@tammybrown170]

Brilliant! Thank you!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You're very welcome!

[@zoobynation]

game changer, haha. thanks!!

[@donnad6870]

AWESOME!

[@millieneisser7341]

I've tried winding on my hand and it's ok for a small amount of yarn but for a decent amount of yarn just doesn't work for me. Can't wait to try this. ❤❤💕💕

[@lailasvensen3878]

Thanks for the tutorial. Nøste means ball of yarn.

[@eileenholderness615]

Amazingly helpful!! Wish I had known this years and years ago!! Thank you very much

[@erin19798]

That's great! I don't yet have a ball winder and this will work perfect for hanks I want to purchase and not wonder how I will then get it into a cake.

[@opticapolana6342]

Thanks

[@soraiaprst4784]

Obrigada 💐

[@lindameyer8519]

Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You bet!

[@crochettimewithdonnaarsena2946]

Thanks for sharing!! Great info!! New subscriber here!

[@MsWengee]

Thank you so much

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You're most welcome

[@katf3836]

I think that I would leave the yarn on the core until I was ready to use it. I think it would keep it from possible unfurling. thanks. Great idea. I have a #50 knitting needle with a ornate end which is perfect for the slipknot anchor. I do like the tp core though. Thanks again.

[@atamuratkalkan3140]

Great!!!!!!!

[@cometmoon]

Roxanne Richardson: "You want to keep the yarn relaxed as you wind it, you don't want to pull tightly on the yarn..." Me: Oppps!

[@leilonnihamilton8356]

I would love to have a ball winder since it is faster, but for now l am going to try your toilet paper roll idea. Thanks.