How to: Use a Yarn Cake Winder · Easy Tutorial

If you’ve ever dealt with tangled yarn or messy skeins, learning how to use a yarn ball winder can completely transform your knitting or crochet experience. Trust me, with an eye-wateringly large stash and a disgustingly disorganised amount of scraps, yarn cake winders/ball winders/whatever you want to call them can make a world of difference in terms of organisation – something that’s essential for crafters, no matter how much yarn you have.

One thing that I find yarn winders so useful for is making scrap yarn cakes. It’s by far one of the most enjoyable things you can do, and with a ball winder, half an hour and your favourite podcast on, you can make your own cakes of unique yarn in no time! I will be writing up a detailed tutorial on how your make your own scrap yarn cakes really soon, but for the time being, this photo guide will give you all the info you need to keep your stash nice and tidy.

It has to be said that there are a huge array of ball winders on the market, and, like a lot of tools, it can be a bit of trial and error to find the right one. A lot of cake winders have exposed metal cogs and parts (I will go about it in this post because, ugh) which means that it’s easy to get your yarn tangled up – not ideal if your caking up yarn, especially if it’s expensive! – and so it’s important to choose wisely. Further down I have suggested my absolute fave yarn winder which is the best on the market, and like with all things crafting, it’s a good idea to invest in the best thing you can afford instead of going cheap and cheerful! It really does pay off.

So, let’s get into it. In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll show you exactly how to use a yarn ball winder step-by-step, plus simple tips to create neat, centre-pull yarn cakes every time. Whether you’re brand new to knitting or just looking to organise your yarn stash, this is one tool that makes a huge difference and I promise that you’ll love it. In fact you’ll get totally hooked and will want to cake up everything in sight…

What Is a Yarn Ball Winder?

A yarn ball winder is a tool that turns yarn (usually from skeins or hanks) into tidy “cakes” that are easy to use. These yarn cakes sit flat, don’t roll around, and allow you to pull yarn from the centre, thus making your projects smoother and more enjoyable.If you have pets around this is ideal, and we all know that – quite often – yarn bowls and holders aren’t often ideal for this. Yarn cakes also look super sweet and pretty – always a bonus!

What You Need:

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Before you start, you’ll need:

• A yarn ball winder (this version is really, really good)
• Yarn (skein or hank), or stramnds of scrap yarn tied together using a magic knot.
• A yarn swift (optional, but very helpful for hanks)

A swift isn’t a must-have, but if you’re winding from a hank it is ideal and saves a lot of time. A lot of yarny people swear by using a friend’s arms or knees instead of a swift – but if you regularly buy yarn in hank form it’s a game changer.

Are you into organisation? Check out my post on how to create the perfect creative space!

How to: Use a Yarn Cake Winder · Easy Tutorial

First off, you’ll need your yarn of choice.

1. Attach the Yarn Winder

Secure your yarn ball winder to a table or desk using the clamp. Make sure it’s stable and won’t move while you’re winding.

2. Set Up Your Yarn

If you’re using a skein, place it loosely nearby.
If you’re using a hank, place it on a yarn swift so it can unwind smoothly.

3. Thread the Yarn

Guide the yarn through the yarn guide on the winder and attach the end to the centre slot. Leave around 10 cm of yarn tail hanging, as this will be where you grab your yarn from when you start knitting of crocheting from the center of the cake. If you like, you can add a small bead to end of the yarn tail (or a small sticker) to create your own ‘easy pull’ tag which is quite popular with some yarn brands.

4. Start Winding Slowly

Turn the handle gently to begin winding. Start slowly to make sure the yarn feeds evenly and go slowly. If you like you can hold the yarn as it comes out of the yarn feeder to adjust tension.

5. Maintain Even Tension

Keep consistent tension on the yarn as you wind. This helps create a firm, even cake.

6. Finish and Remove

Once all the yarn is wound, gently slide the yarn cake off the winder. You’ll now have a neat, centre-pull cake ready to use.
Isn’t it nice?

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Tips for Perfect Yarn Cakes

• Don’t wind too fast—this can cause tangles
• Keep your tension even for a smooth shape
• Use a yarn swift when working with hanks
• Stop occasionally to adjust if the yarn shifts
• Always buy yarn cake winders with no exposed metal parts – tangle alert!

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Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Help me! My cakes are all loose and collapsing!
This is so common at the start, so don’t worry. Try holding the yarn with slightly more tension and go slowly. This is all about trial and error, so you’ll soon find the right pace for you.

Why is my yarn slipping off the winder?
Make sure it’s threaded correctly through the guide and that you’re leaving a short-ish tail of yarn hanging down the center of the winder. Some yarns, such as cotton or other plant fibres, can be more slippery than others so bear this in mind. Cotton yarn doesn’t really cake up too well when compared with other compositions, so this type of yarn is often best worked from balled up.

Now it’s getting all tangled up whilst I’m winding…
So frustrating! I’ve been there and it’s a pain. Try slowing down and check that your yarn source is feeding smoothly first of all, and don’t go too fast. Keep your yarn away from the winder and make sure that it isn’t getting tangled up with any other yarn you have nearby. Some yarn winders have exposed metal parts which aren’t ideal (the version I bought has no exposed parts so it is highly recommended) and these can cause horrible messes. Always go with a version that has all it’s bits and pieces nicely covered!

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FAQs

Can I use a yarn ball winder without a swift?
Yes, especially for skeins. Just make sure the yarn can unwind freely!

I’ve seen electric yarn winders on the market – are they any good?
I haven’t used an electric yarn winder (they scare me) but I have heard that they are very good if you need to make a lot of cakes in very little time. Personally, I love the process of hanf-winding yarn and find it very therapeutic so eletric ones aren’t for me.

Why is my yarn cake uneven?
This is usually due to inconsistent tension or winding too quickly. If this happens, carry on winding your yarn until the end of the hank/skein and then rewind the cake again, adjusting your tension carefully.

Should I cake up all the yarn in my stash?
This is best acvoided as yarn wound into cakes loses its integrity over time. The best option is to cake your yarn up just before using it, unless you’re making yarn scrap cakes.

Can I wind yarn by hand instead?
You can, but a yarn winder is much faster and creates more consistent results.

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Yarn Cake Ideas · Scrap Yarn Cakes

As mentioned earlier, yarn cake winders aren’t only good for organising your current yarn stash, but by joining scrap yarn of the same weight together. This is one of the most fun things you can do with your ball winder. I currently have kilos and kilos of scraps caked up in this way and use my scrap cakes to make blankets (for my kid’s bedroom or our doggos), scrappy hats, balaclavas and bonnets and even sweaters and bags – so trendy as well! I love making my scrap yarn cakes using multiple strands as you can see below…

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If you found this helpful, don’t forget to save it on Pinterest so you can come back to it anytime!

If you loved this free tutorial, consider donating to me on Ko-Fi or purchasing one of my patterns on Ravelry – thank you so much for your support! Don’t forget to share your makes on Instagram by tagging me – I’d love to share your gorgeous work.

Happy crocheting!