Making a centre pull yarn ball - crochet hook method

Using a crochet hook as a nostepinne is very similar to using the pencils.  Start with the largest crochet hook you've got available.



For me, that's a 9.00mm hook.  Larger would be better.

First, make a slip knot at the hook, as if you were about to do some crochet.  Snug the slip knot tight at the throat of the hook, so it won't slide up as you work.



Pull the yarn up to the other end and start wrapping back towards the middle, just as was done for the pencil method.



The ball of yarn I'm using here is a fair bit bigger, so I made the core a bit longer than for the previous balls.  Again, wrap back and forth for a few layers, then continue the same as with the pencils.



As I wrapped, I made the height of the ball greater than the core by changing the angle of my wrap, allowing the yarn to go over the top and bottom every now and then.  In this photo, only about half of the ball has been wrapped.   Then I gave it to my younger daughter to finish so I could upload the photos and start these posts.

She loves making these!

There you have it.  Three methods of making a centre pull ball of yarn.

Have fun!

Making a centre pull yarn ball - Two Pencils method

For this next method of making a centre pull yarn ball, a pair of pencils are used as a nostepinne.



Start with two pencils of equal length.  Preferably new and unchewed.

Yes, my dearest daughter, I'm looking at you.  Glaringly.

Snark.

Anchor the yarn with a figure 8 around and between both pencils, near one end.



Pull the pencils snug together as you bring the yarn up towards the opposite ends, then start wrapping the yarn back towards the middle.  At this point, place the wraps close together.



After a couple of inches, wrap the yarn back up again.  Keep wrapping back and forth until it's about 3-4 layers thick, or more if you're using a thin yarn.  With each layer, the wraps will be fewer and farther apart.



Once I'm happy with the thickness, I like to do a few wraps from top to bottom.  This prevents the loops of yarn from coming loose and tangling later.



After that, just keep on wrapping!



When you get to the end, lock the yarn in place the same was as described previously.  Unwind the figure 8 you made at the start, if necessary, then remove the pencils one at a time (if you yank on both at once, you might inadvertently pull out the first wraps you made and create your very own yarn barf!).



Here's a comparison of the two methods.  With the fingers and figure 8 method, the centre is completely filled, which is why it's so important for the yarn to be in a figure 8 and straight.  If you just wrap the start around your fingers, without the figure 8, the loops catch on each other when the end is pulled and you can get a yarn barf.  Using the pencils (and it's the same for the next method I will show), the open space in the centre prevents any of that.

Two down, one more to go. ;-)

Making a centre pull yarn ball - Fingers and figure 8's

For the first method of making a centre pull yarn ball I'll show you, you don't need anything but the yarn and your own fingers.  This makes it the most convenient of methods.  Here's how you start.



First, wind the yarn around several fingers, with the end at the bottom (in this image, you can see the end just under my pinkie).  You can do this method either around your first two fingers or around thumb and first finger, whichever you prefer.



Next, start wrapping the yarn around two fingers (or finger and thumb) in a figure 8 pattern.



Keep winding in a figure 8 pattern until you get it good and wide.  If you're using a thinner yarn, shoot for 20 or more wraps.



The next part is a bit tricky.  Carefully remove the loops from  your fingers, wrapping the yarn around the middle a few times in the middle to anchor the loops.



Keep wrapping around the core back and forth until it's fairly well covered.  You want to keep those loops from tangling around each other.



Once the core is well covered, keep on going.  I like to wrap all in one direction, but as long as the tail end is free, you can change directions and make a round ball, if you like. 



As the ball gets bigger, you can change the angle of the wraps slightly as needed so they don't slip out of position and come undone while you work.




When you get near the end of your yarn, do a few last wraps around the middle to hold it all in place.



Then lock the end by tucking the it under in a loop.

That's it!

Making a centre pull yarn ball: why do it?

I've taken a series of step-by-step photos to demonstrate how to make a centre pull yarn ball.  The first thing to answer, though, is why one would want to do it in the first place?

If you're using a twisted hank of yarn, the answer is pretty obvious.  When buying a typical skein of yarn, though, they can be centre pull, too.   Like this.



Isn't that pretty?  I took out this ball, and there was the end, just waiting to be grabbed.  This is what we're supposed to get.

Unfortunately, this is what we usually get.



Meet the yarn barf. 

This is actually a very small one and easy to untangle.  I've had some that just refused to give up the end of the yarn, and instead gave up almost their entire innards.  That's not too bad if you've got a nice smooth, bulky yarn like this.  With a finer weight or a textured yarn, it can be ridiculously difficult to untangle the mess.

A well made centre pull ball of yarn not only keeps things neat, but allows for smooth flow while you work.  Much more pleasant!

If you have one, you can use a nostepinne to wind your yarn.  You can also buy a winder. 

If you have neither I will show three different ways to make a centre pull yarn ball.  The difference is in how the core is started.  After that, they're pretty much all the same.

First up, the finger winding method.  No tools needed at all!