Crochet Yarn Guide › Forms Yarn Is Sold In
Yarn is packaged in several different forms. The form affects how the yarn is stored, how you find the working end, and how easily the yarn feeds while crocheting.
Most yarns sold in craft stores are ready to use, while some forms require preparation before you begin crocheting.
Common Forms Yarn Is Sold In
Skein
A skein is the most common way yarn is packaged for retail sale. The yarn is wound into an oval or cylindrical shape that is easy to store and use.
- Common use: Most commercial yarn brands
- Working end: Often available from the center or the outside
- Preparation: Usually ready to use immediately
Cake
A yarn cake is wound into a flat cylindrical shape with straight sides. Cakes are often created by yarn winders or sold pre-wound.
- Common use: Hand-dyed yarns and gradient yarns
- Working end: Usually center pull
- Preparation: Ready to use
Ball
A yarn ball is a traditional round winding of yarn. Some yarns are sold this way, though many crocheters also wind skeins into balls themselves.
- Common use: Smaller yarn quantities
- Working end: Outside pull
- Preparation: Ready to use
Hank
A hank is a large loop of yarn twisted into a bundle. Many high-quality or hand-dyed yarns are sold in hanks.
- Common use: Specialty and hand-dyed yarn
- Working end: Must be wound before use
- Preparation: Needs to be wound into a cake or ball
Cone
Cone yarn is wound onto a large cone and is often used for machine knitting or large projects. It allows yarn to feed smoothly from the cone.
- Common use: Large yardage yarn
- Working end: Outside pull from the cone
- Preparation: Usually ready to use
- Most yarn sold in craft stores comes in skeins. Specialty or hand-dyed yarn is often sold in hanks.
- If you buy yarn in a hank, you must wind it into a ball or cake before crocheting. Working directly from a hank will cause the yarn to tangle.
- When winding yarn from a hank, keep the loop spread out on a yarn swift, chair back, or your hands so the strands stay separated while winding.
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