A Bit About My Experience

I’ve always found it hard to find the end of a skein of wool, especially the figure-of-eight kind. It feels like a puzzle with no clues. I often end up with a tangled mess, or I pull out a giant clump and have to slowly tease it apart. I think my dyslexia plays a part — visualising the structure and figuring out where things begin and end isn’t always easy. But I’ve learned a few tricks and I would like to share them.

Below is a link to a YouTube video that I found. Here you will find loads of handy tips and patterns galore suitable for beginners to advanced.

CROCHET BASICS: What to do with a Skein of yarn | Bella Coco AD

---

Step-by-Step: Finding the End of the Skein

A figure-of-eight skein (often called a “hank”) can look a bit like a soft twist of yarn, tied in a couple of places. To begin:

1. Lay it out flat:
   Untwist the skein into a big loop — like a giant necklace. You can drape it over the back of a chair or around your knees if you’re sitting.
2. Find the ties:
   You’ll see 2-4 little pieces of yarn that are tied around the skein to keep it from tangling. Carefully snip those off except for the one that has the yarn ends tucked in it.
3. Look for the two ends:
   One tie will usually have both the beginning and end of the yarn tucked under it. Gently pull on each to see which one pulls freely. That’s your starting end! Tip if you’re not sure: Tug lightly. If one feels stuck, try the other. The one that glides smoothly is usually the right one.

---

Making a Ball of Wool (Without the Stress)

Once you’ve found the end, you’re ready to wind it into a ball:

1. Start with a small core:
   Wrap the yarn around two fingers 10–12 times, then slide it off and pinch the middle. Wrap yarn around the middle to make a little bundle.
2. Wind diagonally:
   Keep turning the bundle in your hand as you wrap the yarn around it. Don’t just go around and around in one direction — it helps keep the ball round and tangle-free.
3. Take breaks if needed:
   If you are feeling overwhelmed or it starts to tangle, stop and breathe. You’re not doing it wrong — wool just likes to test our patience sometimes.
4. Use a yarn winder if you want:
   If winding by hand is tiring or tricky, you can get a hand-cranked yarn winder. It makes neat little “cakes” of wool and feels a bit like a relaxing gadget.

---

A Note for Fellow Strugglers

If you’ve ever felt silly or frustrated about this, you’re not alone. Making sense of tangled wool is not a measure of your ability or intelligence. Some brains just process patterns and sequences differently — and that’s okay. You’re not doing it wrong. You’re learning your way.

References:

Image:
June Gathercole

A R

Website:

https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-brown-yarn-roll-Wp4SQprjGmc

https://unsplash.com/photos/red-and-white-umbrella-on-white-table-6JFK6qIdPPQ

Bella Coco – YouTube