Winding slippery yarn can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re using delicate fibres like silk. In this tutorial, Make a Centre-Pull Ball with Slippery Yarn, we’ll discuss handling such yarns, from finding the right tension on your winding station to using elastic bands strategically to prevent any mishaps. By the end, you’ll feel confident in your ability to tackle even the slipperiest of yarns with ease. Let’s get started!
Materials & Tools Shown
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Make a Centre-Pull Ball with Slippery Yarn
In just a few easy steps, learn to wind even the slipperiest of yarns!
Equipment
- 2 Rubber Bands
- 1 Ziplock bag or Yarn Cozy
Materials
- 1 Skein SweetGeorgia Yarns SeaSilk Lace
Instructions
- Place yarn on the swift and cut any ties. Ensure there are no tangles in the yarn. Find the end of the yarn found on the outside of the skein.
- Place an elastic band at the center of the ball winder and another at the tip to prevent slipping during the winding process.
- Secure the yarn onto your ball winder and begin winding slowly and steadily. Keep an eye on the elastic band as you wind, it helps keep the yarn in place and prevents slipping.
- Continue to wind the yarn with consistent tension and at a steady pace until the entire skein has been wound into a ball.
- Once you've finished winding, carefully remove the elastic band at the tip of the ball winder.
- Slowly remove the ball of yarn.
- Next, remove the elastic band from the centre of the ball, being cautious not to tangle the yarn or pull out too much.
- You now have a centre-pull ball of yarn! Consider storing your newly wound yarn in a Ziplock bag or use a yarn cozy to maintain its shape and prevent unravelling.
Notes
Additional tips:
- If you’re planning to use multiple skeins for colourwork, wind them into center-pull balls and store them separately until ready to use.
- Avoid winding slippery yarn until you’re ready to start your project, as it tends to maintain its shape better when freshly wound.
Do you have questions about how to make a centre-pull ball with slippery yarn?
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Original publication: July 04, 2023. Refreshed: July 06, 2024
