Knitting Help - Winding Yarn Twice

In this video I explain why I wind my yarn twice before I knit with it.
My tools
Knitter's Pride swift: amzn.to/2V7f1a3
Oregon Woodworker Jumbo ball winder:
www.yarnswifts.com/store/n/ya...
Using a Ball Winder and Swift video: • Knitting Help - Using ...
Skein, Ball, Hank, Cake video: • Skein, Ball, Hank, Cake
The shawl on the mannequin is called Lighten Up, here is a link to my project on Ravelry:
www.ravelry.com/projects/very...

[@larryedman4799]

Hi: I too wind my yarn twice before beginning a project. One thing I do differently and have done so since 1966 is to mount my swift sideways rather than upright. This allows the skein to tumble and you can loosen the tension on the tension screw slightly which allows the yarn to not be stretched as much. I also pull the yarn end from the bottom of the swift as this seems to allow the swift to turn with less tension. I place my hands inside the untwisted hank while it is still tied in 3 or 4 places, I like to give the skein a couple of snaps to realign any stray yarns that might have gotten out of place when the yarn was twisted into the twisted hank format. I equate pulling from the bottom to pulling from the center. The problem I always hear is that most do not have an upright to attach to, but I use either a sturdy chair placed against the end of my winding table or the door which is next to the winding table. Thanks for sharing your wisdom, I frequently refer fellow knitters to your podcast or your youtube videos.

[@patriarchparamour]

That’s a really helpful additional tip, thank you, Larry!

[@pawlah]

I always wind my sock yarn twice. The first winding gives me the single cake, which I place on a kitchen scale. The second winding allows me to equally divide the yarn into two equal cakes. I then knit my socks 2AAT. But I never thought to wind all my other yarn twice. But the most interesting thing I learned from this? The label information on a skein!! Thank you SO much for sharing this!!!

[@Sa_Stafford]

I do the same for socks - e.g. wind twice, including dividing, then knitting two at a time. But I only wind my other wool once. (I hand wind … I have no special equipment.) This is a great video, btw. I love this detail.

[@krazedvintagemodel]

This is not something I thought about before, but I get it. Reminds me of videos about which way we should wrap the yarn around the needle and how it affects stitch size. So much to learn, so little time to knit. Thanks Stacy! :)

[@VivienSupple]

Thank you for your videos - they are great, I am 70 and got serious about knitting because it is "portable" (I can take it any where) and I have found your videos to be a wealth of information, well considered and thoughtful. I decided to test out your method of winding the yarn twice, I was amazed! After the second 'wind' the cake of yarn increased in size by about 50%. It was looser and softer and much stretchier. there is so much to learn in the world of knitting and your videos are a great help thank you

[@adventuregurl1973]

Great info! Me: running to re-wind my cakes. Thank you! I just want to let you know that I’ve relied on your wisdom and tutorials for my entire knitting journey (2006-now) I now work in a yarn store and also teach there. I often send knitters to your KZbin channel whenever they are struggling with a technique. Thanks so much for your channel.

[@naseerahvj]

I've been following you since I started knitting again (learning to do anything other than the rectangle I learned as a kid >.< ) You've taught me to knit socks, jumpers, fair isle, and I've even designed a number of my own knits. I just wanted to come back and say thank you! I recommend your videos to everyone I teach knitting to.

[@probablyknitting5052]

I've been doing 2X winding for years and I'm pretty sure I learned it from you. I've heard of folks not wanting to pull from the center of the cake because of the erupting yarn that comes from a too tight, 1X wound cake. I've never had that issue with a 2X wound cake, my cakes just collapse gently with no tangles for the last 5 years or so. They are always neat and well behaved. So worth the extra few minutes.

[@Prinzenelleke]

@@probablyknitting5052 “well behaved”, i like that description 😃

[@caroll8404]

Great video! Will start double winding! Love the tip about which end to pull the yarn from when you have a skein of yarn.I have been a knitter for a very long time and never knew that. Love your videos-they are my go to when I need to “ look something up”.

[@karyncroll3235]

Omg yes! That tip on which end to pull from the center!! Thank you Stacy

[@gayanderson2242]

Thanks for this explanation. I used to wonder about the tightness of the cakes wound at yarn shops, but since I didn’t own a ball winder and swift I didn’t have much choice. Now I have those tools and now I also know how to use them better. I mostly knit things where fit isn’t critical, but now I’m wanting to try knitting a cardigan and this advice will help!

[@honnaymolloy815]

I also always knit from the center, AND wind twice. I learned your tip from a salesperson at Webs! Here’s one more tip: what happens if you wind THREE times? Answer: each time you wind, you are adding twist to your yarn. Depending on how your yarn is originally spun, you may find that three windings will overtwist your yarn to the extent it will curl up on itself when pulled from the ball. So make sure your second winding is done carefully. If you mess up, winding a third time may exceed the tolerable level of twist.

[@honnaymolloy815]

@@maga4984 The answer seems almost beyond my analytical brain, but intuitively, not setup change will eliminate this added twist. Clara Parkes (The Book of Wool) and I had a conversation about this years ago, and we did not come up with an answer. Ideally, the second winding would untwist the yarn back to its original state. I think, but I’m not sure, if you poke the end through to the other side of the cake you might be winding and twisting in the opposite direction. Perhaps a spinner could answer your question definitively. I basically decided not to worry about it, but not to wind more than twice.

[@lyriclover0]

The extra twist comes in if you rewind them pulling from the center each time! When you pull from the center your yarn is going from that circle in the ball into a straight line with a twist. Its easiest to see for yourself if youve got a flat ribbon- wrap it flatly around your fingers then pull up from the center and youll see the added twist. The way ive found to avoid over twisting when you need to wind again (hello many hours spent frogging 😅) is to alternate pulling from the center and pulling from the outside and !importantly! letting the ball roll around while you go from the outside because thats what is 'untwisting' it. If you dont let it roll around, you are pulling from a circle into a straight again adding a more slight twist

[@honnaymolloy815]

@@lyriclover0 I believe you are correct, as long as one winds from the outside to the winder in a direction that untwists the first winding.

[@bma0412]

@@lyriclover0 This is over my head!!! I need to split my cake of yarn to create two balls to knit TAAT socks. Do I pull from inside or out side of the cake to wind the second ball, in order to avoid the yarn to twist? Thank you.

[@maryjeanchapple6582]

EXCELLENT explanation! I will wind twice from now on. Who knew?

[@jacqulyne1282]

I'm a long time, self taught knitter. I have always used you and your videos if I ever needed help on anything. I never knew this trick though. I will be double winding my cakes from now on.

[@lindsayshatto]

I seem to be following all of the same methods that you do with this (yay!) Just this morning I rewound a ball from a cardigan that I was frogging because the yarn I was hand winding out of the sweater was much tighter than that already caked. So much knowledge comes from just jumping in and learning as you go, we don’t even think of all the details and questions that could come up. I’m sure you’ve cleared up most of those questions with this video 😊

[@elizabethsteff7507]

Hi Stacy Thank you for this very useful tip. Often I n the UK, what you said was a hank of yarn commonly over here that is described as a skein and what you described as known as a skein in USA here in UK is usually called a ball of yarn. However cakes of yarn are the same. It’s fascinating that even within the yarn crafting community the same word can mean different things across the pond . Best wishes Beth 😁 🧶

[@elizabethclark2022]

Same in Canada - we call unwound yarn a 'skein' and wound yarn a 'ball'...it's connected to our heritage across the pond :-).

[@loist0607]

The information about the direction of the label on a skein made this whole video worth watching. I had no idea. This was very well done. Thanks

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

You've explained very well as usual! You're my go to for tutorial always! Thanks so much! You're a knitting god!

[@jareesatuckermcclure8882]

Thank you for this video! I saw your original IG post and I remember all the confusion in the comments! I'm definitely going to start winding twice now, now that I understand the purpose.

[@vivianpowell1732]

This is yarn grad school level. Terrific. Thank you, Staci. Well done.

[@thomas351]

...got it the first time ...I think it is great that you are so responsive to viewers (post or video) questions ...two thumbs up / gold star / happy face ...you deserve them all ...t.

[@GaGaPete0825]

I got it from the original post! BUT…..the extra information you provided in this video was great! Thank you soooo much for doing what you do!

[@lainieepstein7753]

Love tips like this- thanks! Last year I bought my first ball winder and swift. I was so excited to not have to wind by hand anymore. I got my stash out and wound ALL the hanks! Shortly after doing that I learned about winding twice and once again I got my stash out and rewound all of it AGAIN. It makes a huge difference in the loftiness of the cake. Any new hanks I buy stay that way till I'm ready to use it now.

[@pattigolden1]

And I always thought I was OCD because I ALWAYS wind yarn twice!!! I even try & leave the hank 'loose' for a day or two.....if I remember. 😉 Thank you for validating me!!! 🤣😂🤣😂

[@vivianpowell1732]

Leaving a hank loose for a couple of days allows the yarn to breathe & bloom evenly. The yarn always looks "healthier" to me after doing this.

[@dorothyrockwell8157]

I thought it was very clear the first time but the second time was also helpful for anyone who didn't get it.

[@lizgarman5527]

Very helpful! I did not know about the label orientation to find the yarn end in the center of the skein. Great tip!

[@cbs70]

Huh, u were so clear b4. But thanks again for taking the time to clear up the crystal clear explanation! 😜🙃🙃😉🙄🙄

[@theweatherisaokay4964]

Actually I did the same, or even more , I mean winding the yarn twice or more, but I didn't do because I want to make my yarn loosen, I did because I LOVE winding my yarn, hahaha. Now I know that it's better to do that I have more reasons to play more with my yarns. This is very informative and you explained it well. Someone asked me before why I wind my yarn again after I just wind it once and I just don't know how to answer, now I have the answer. All the yarn, be prepare, I had my eyes on you!

[@margofriesen2175]

You explained it very well. I hadn't thought of rewinding the cake but it makes total sense. Thanks for the tip!

[@jq7136]

My hanks winding- it’s just me: Sit in recliner with knees bent and put hank around knees and hand wind. 🥰

[@landespyrenees]

I use my knees too

[@melanieg5459]

My method too 🥰

[@christimcgeoghegan707]

Same! Glad to know I’m not the only one. 😃

[@karyncroll3235]

Yup! Me too. I used to watch my Mom wind from a chair back

[@KM-tq8yf]

Yup!me,too

[@wonderwilly100]

I have known this for a long time. I was explaining this to a group of ladies at my LYS shop, but I was mostly met with blank and unbelieving looks. So here's another take on the 2nd wind. If I decide to wind the 2nd time from the center cake, I will turn the handle in the opposite direction from the first wind. If I decide to take the yarn from the outside I turn the handle in the same direction as the first time. In my mind this eliminates over twisting the yarn. And as per another's comment, more distance between the 2 apparatus the better, and the ball winder should be at the same height, level, with the swift yarn feed. In my opinion.

[@carolynstrawn]

Yes you explained it perfectly. I have been winding my own yarn but I didn’t know about winding yarn twice. Learn something everyday. I’ll give it a try. Ty!

[@susansherlin7773]

Thank you for this information, Staci! I knitted from my first hank of yarn just recently and found out the hard way that it will get extremely tangled (if it's wool). I spent, no exaggeration, 15 hours to untangle 2 hanks of yarn and hand wind them into balls.

[@vivianpowell1732]

I can believe that. Trying to hand-wind a ball of fingering yarn from a hank of yarn became an excruciating ordeal for me. So I had someone at the LYS wind my hanks into cakes using their swift + winder. I thought I was done. Then I remembered Staci's video about winding twice, rewatched it, and I wound the cakes into balls by hand. Each ball took 50 minutes, even with no glitches. I paid attention to how the yarn looked as I was winding a ball from a cake, starting at the center of the cake. It looked a bit crinkly at the beginning, but then the yarn began to smooth out as I got away from the center of the cake. Moving forward, I am considering just skipping the cake-to-ball winding step and taking my chances that the yarn will relax as I continue to knit directly from the cake. I'm sure I'm not the first person to ask this, but why doesn't the yarn industry put up all yarn in such a way that it doesn't have to be wound by the consumer after purchase?

[@bawilson710]

Thank you for explaining. A few weeks ago I wound a hank of yarn. WHen I finished, I had horrible muscle spasms so my husband would the other hank for me. When he wound the yarn he wound it slower and held onto the yarn while he wound it. His hank was much bigger than mine. We measured the circumference of both cakes and his was a good 2 inches larger than mine. I wound my cake much faster than his. A few days ago, he wound another cake and again his was nice and squishy. I believe the speed has a lot to do with the result. I am jealous, you were able to use your swift 1 handed. Mine feels like you need 3 hands.

[@officialchriskingnotary]

I actually tried it. What a difference! The cake is more relaxed. Not just that, mine had tangles. I tried double winding yesterday. No tangles.

[@e-comunque1761]

I love getting these pearls of wisdom from you: so useful and clear information. Thank you!

[@murtri]

I had never thought about this before. I’m starting a new challenge - a sweater I know will take me quite awhile to knit. I followed your advice as I want to do everything I can to make this one a success. Wow! What a difference in the yarn cakes. Thank you so much for the advice, again.

[@ZackRekeSkjell]

I never even considered this, but it makes so much sense! I have a few skeins that I wound a couple of months ago and didn’t get along with the project at once and I need to wind them again. My younger sister was very fascinated with my ball winder so she wound up a few hanks for me 😄

[@findlayhunter4934]

Your explanations are always clear and concise. Thank you.

[@donaldcheatham]

Thank you for this! I haven't been knitting for many years and just getting back into it. I thought I remembered hearing, years ago, that it wasn't the best thing to wind your yarn when you first get it (something about the twist and stretching etc.). So I (usually) don't do it! I was searching for the answers again and I found this video and yes, it made total sense to me. I had wound a ball a few days ago for socks and got started and got frustrated so I went to an easier project - thicker yarn for a hat. I just rewound it because it was tight. WOW - it's a huge cake/ball now because it's not all stretched out. Thank you again!

[@monicapease1080]

Great tutorial, Staci. Just about to do my first wind of a twice-wound henk! Your instructions are very clear :) Thank you!

[@theastewart6721]

What an interesting video! I’ve never heard of winding the yarn twice. You did explain it well and it makes good sense! Thanks for sharing!

[@angelasprecco4246]

Wow what a difference! I just got my yarn swift and skein winder, I wound, then rewound from the cake and it relaxed so much! Thank you!

[@mynnmax]

I tried winding twice after seeing your post on IG and it makes such a huge difference! Thank you for sharing that tip! :)

[@tanaschott5057]

You are so awesome. Such a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.

[@deejcarter2003]

I think you explained it very well and some of the follow up questions were helpful that you answered. I’ll be doing this on my next project.

[@gailecob]

I did the double wind. What a huge difference!!! Thanks so much. I just love you clips!

[@dmbenjiwolf]

Your videos are absolutely the best! I’ve learned so much from watching! I had a hard time with Knit Companion at first and you helped me so much!

[@danbev8542]

Thank you for this! I missed your 1st recommendation to wind twice. I’ve always wound by hand, rather enjoying the process, but recently wound a very large hank & it kept getting horribly tangled. So I just bought a swift & ball winder, and thanks to you, I wound a second time!

[@patbelowsky8210]

I just watched your video, followed your suggestions and am amazed at the difference in the two cakes!! Thank you so much for all of your wonderful shared knowledge. It’s very, very much appreciated!! Happy knitting 🧶

[@sonerila6987]

Totally clear & fascinating. The questions were good ones, as well. Great video. Thank you!

[@susannawarner6817]

I understand and thank you Staci.

[@jannaolsen3557]

Your swift is gorgeous! Thanks for the educational videos.

[@Space_Trucker]

So I don't have ball winder, but this video was insanely helpful regardless. I didn't know about pulling from the center and the label direction! Or that I didn't need to have the shop I order from wind everything for me, especially if it came in a skein already. Or how easy and probably smarter it is to do it myself when needed. Thank you for all the clarifications and tips.

[@janhtay]

Staci, thanks for a clear, informative video. I heard you chat on the podcast about winding yarn twice to maintain its original "character." I've been doing it since then. 🙂 it actually feels different when knitting. Another nugget of wisdom from my knitting guru.

[@heathertucker7056]

Well who knew about this! Thank you so much for explaining so brilliantly!

[@susanpfaff9956]

Thank you, Staci! I've always wondered about this. I recently wound a cake a second time because the yarn looked entirely too stretched out. The re-wind was so much better! I'll be winding all of my hanks twice from now on!

[@pamelabubeck491]

Using my 25 year old wooden swift and ballwinder: the greater the distance between the swift and ballwinder the looser the cake. Accidentally discovered by moving my swift to sink one after 10 years of having the swift at sink 2 with the ballwinder at end of guest bath vanity.

[@EB321]

Ah! That's so interesting! I'm going to try this. Thank you

[@Knitclickwoof]

I also think that winding more slowly produces a looser cake.

[@betsstanford]

Great explanation! I never thought about the tension/tightness of cakes once wound. Double winding from now on :)

[@dorthystoneburgh7871]

my grandmother taught me to wind a skein to check for knots and tangles so it doesn't cause a big problem when I working on my project.

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Perfect explanation and it really makes so much sense. Thank you.

[@gbitter1395]

Thanks! I was one of those confused folks - it makes perfect sense now. :)

[@patsydors]

As usual beautifully explained. Thank you

[@robertastewart2083]

Growing up in England in the 1950’s , I was the swift and my mother was the ball winder!

[@mariakristinahawl1640]

This is the first time I've seen one of your videos. Not only great content, but........ I can't help but feel you are a literal TWIN to a lady I used to watch on public television. Her show was called Sewing with Nancy (may she RIP). You look like her twin sister!!!!

[@yoshiew05]

This is brilliant!! Never thought of this. 🤩

[@carlamorris9298]

That makes perfect sense. I was recently given some vintage Scottish wool (c 1950s or 1960s), and the one partially used skein had been hand wound into the tightest ball I had even seen. I rewound it gently on my nostepinne to give it a chance to relax. Because I worry that yarn has been stretched out for years, I’ll be using the other six and saving the stretched yarn for the last resort.

[@jennifertaylor7021]

What a great idea! I will be double winding from now on

[@laurenmiller3886]

I love your videos! You explained this really well and going forward I will wind twice 🤗👍🏾❤️

[@TruthSerumBarton]

I understood completely thank you very much for clarifying for the on educated

[@debracubitt6191]

Staci I really appreciate your videos THANK YOU!

[@daliaavidar3391]

Thank you so much for all these great tips 😊

[@barbarawolff1826]

This video was very clear. Thanks for the information as I learned an excellent tip.

[@maireobrien2060]

Wow! This makes such a difference! Many thanks.

[@kimberlyjensen2766]

I really didn't know about this idea it makes great sense to me.

[@macolemarn]

Thanks Stacy-I have always wound twice for this reason! Have searched many times to see if I was doing something wrong. Apparently a not!

[@elizabethdelong6431]

I’ve thought of this when I have wound yarn for a project and then get distracted by a new project. I guess I better rewind that ASAP!

[@vickibradley8418]

It was perfectly clear to me - thank you.

[@angiebrown952]

I never saw the first video but this was a perfect explanation for me...only problem is I always thought the wound once was just visually perfect so was a bit disappointed if my cake came out looking like wound twice! Now I know. Thanks

[@AuhidaChowdhury]

This was so helpful! I have an issue with knitting with such a tight tension and hand winding doesn't really help with the initial tension. I've gotten a knitting ring to help, and have a yarn in the mail so hopefully all the projects I'm preparing for will come out the right size and stop curling on me!

[@gr8fulgirl7]

Great info! I understood what you meant when I saw the photo, but thanks because you answered a couple more questions I had…..😉

[@Stephlovesnapping]

I always wind twice, it’s so much fluffier and easier to knit with.

[@shllybkwrm]

This was super interesting, thanks for sharing! I think I need to go re-wind some cakes from my stash now 😂

[@sylvialawrence3494]

This makes so much sense. Thank you!

[@kathwieden2111]

Great information and thank you Staci.

[@EJsDaughter]

Hi. Never heard to wind it twice. Good tip. I'll try that with my more expensive yarn. Thanks.

[@suegriot9387]

I don't think you could be any more clear. Thanks for the info!

[@joschaumloffel3305]

I think you just explained why my finished sweater was a bit snug. I had my ball wound too tight. Thanks for your video.

[@janedaniel7288]

The only time I came up all my yarn is if I am going on a trip and I won't have access to a ball winder. Great explanation. Take care and keep safe. xxJane

[@janthestitcher3084]

I've been following you for a long time. I heard you mention the rationale several years ago which made sense to me. I've wound my hanks twice ever since. The second cake is always larger.

[@cassidyforsstrom5105]

I wind twice because the first winding can have uneven tension and the second winding evens it out. I have also done an experiment and found that winding can slightly increase or decrease twist depending on which direction I wind. It is so slight that it is only noticeable after winding several times but it does happen.

[@angelkat50]

Great information I do have an elective ball winder and I love it but it does come out kinda tight sometimes. Thanks for the tip on where to pull from on a skein.

[@sarahmatthews2737]

This is great information! Thank you!!!

[@mary-ruthflores4107]

I learned that in my first class, the teacher specified that from swift to ball winder will put it under tension, then winding from cake to ball winder will release the tension. But my teacher always went from swift to ball winder to hand using a stick so a cake is produced

[@karenlombardi8242]

Gulp … I’d better rewind some of those cakes I wound a couple of years ago 🤦🏻‍♀️. When I got my umbrella swift and winder - just like your set up, I was so excited to cake up my yarn, I may have gone a little crazy … I have about a dozen of pretty lumps of yarn that haven’t decided what they want to be yet. I consider myself an advanced or adventurous beginner, and I owe that to your tutorials and expertise. Thank you Staci!!

[@fuzzypumpkin7743]

I was watching a stash organization video recently and the young woman wound every single hank, ball, pat, and other put-up she had into taut cakes. A full closet of yarn. It was pretty to look at but such a bad idea!

[@lindachandler2293]

Things like socks or mittens, I make both at the same time. If I have a big skein of yarn, I like to roll it into 2 balls so my yarn doesn't tangle. When using a ball winder I put the skein in a big plastic bucket.

[@sheryltisdale]

I wind my yarn twice, thank you!

[@karinamadeus6418]

Great, all my questions answered.

[@bornokyo5575]

I always wind twice as you always recommend.

[@bonniemcgee6648]

I also always wind twice for that same reason, I like my yarn to be relaxed.

[@katewarner8833]

I have an Amish swift. Love it!

[@facsmom]

Very clear explanation:)

[@debracubitt6191]

Thank you! I do not have a swift currently This provides an alternative "from the knees" Fortunately my yarn shop has a swft♡