How to Split a Skein of Yarn Into Two Balls

Evenly divide a skein of yarn by weighing it.

There are many reasons you might need to split a skein of yarn in half. Some patterns call for knitting with two strands of yarn at once, while other skeins are too large and unwieldy to knit without being divided first. If you want to hold two strands together or make two identical objects, it is important to make sure that both balls of yarn are the same size. Unwinding the skein to measure by length can lead to tangled yarn, but measuring by weight makes the process much neater.

Things You'll Need

• Electronic kitchen scale
• Ball winder and swift (optional)

Instructions

1. Wind a loose skein into a single center-pull ball using a ball winder and swift, a friend's arms or the back of a chair.

2. Weigh the wound ball on an electronic kitchen scale. Divide the weight by half.

3. Pull yarn from the center of the ball, leaving the ball sitting on the scale.

4. Wind the yarn coming from the center of the ball as you pull it toward you.

5. Watch the number on the scale as you wind off the new yarn. When it reaches half of the original weight of the skein, cut or break the yarn.

References

• Confessions of a Knitaholic: The Scale Can Be Your Friend (Dividing a Skein of Yarn)
• Wendy Knits: Splitsville
• Another Long Yarn: Quick Tip: Weighing In

Resources

• Ariadne Knits: Winding a Skein into a Centre-Pull Ball