How to Wrap a Skein

Wrapping yarn into skeins makes for easy storage.

Wrap yarn into a skein so it can be stored with other skeins and not tangle. It also makes the yarn easy to work with without becoming tangled. Wrapping a skein requires wrapping the length of yarn around a chair, or someone's hands, and then twisting the wrapped yarn together. Wrapping a skein does not require any tools, but a Niddy Noddy can be used. The Niddy Noddy does the same thing as a chair, but also measures how many yards the skein will be. If you're wrapping skeins for easy storage and use, a Niddy Noddy is not necessary.

Instructions

1. Turn the chair so that the back is facing you. The back of the chair must have sturdy sides. A plastic chair that bends easy is not recommended. Do not use a chair that has any decorations that stick out. The yarn might become snagged.

2. Hold one end of the yarn against the back of the chair. Hold it in place with one hand. With the other hand, start wrapping the yarn around the back of the chair. Wrap around the side of the chair, to the front and around the other side. When the yarn meets the end you are holding, keep wrapping. Do not wrap too tightly. After a few turns around the chair, you can let go of the end you are holding. It will stay in place.

3. Continue to wrap the yarn around the chair until you reach the end of the yarn. Tuck the end of the yarn into the wrapped yarn to hold it in place.

4. Place your thumbs up under the wrapped yarn. Drag your thumbs to the sides of the wrapped yarn. Pull up with your hands to remove the yarn from the chair. You should be holding the circle of yarn with your thumbs. Pull the yarn with your hands to tighten it.

5. Turn one of your hands in quick circles. This will twist the yarn together. Stop twisting when the yarn becomes tight against the nonmoving hand.

6. Open up one end of the twisted yarn. The opening is made where your thumb is resting. Pull the other end of the twisted yarn through the opening. Just fit the end through, and then let go of the opening.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a Niddy Noddy if you want to measure the length of the skein. One wrap around the Niddy Noddy equals 1 yard.

• Do not wrap or twist the yarn too tightly. The yarn may break, or it may become too tight to perform the steps with ease.

References

• Bella Online; Winding Off and Skeining; Llyn Payne
• Neauveau: How to Wrap Yarn into a Skein/Hank