Press "Enter" to skip to content

Swiftly tangled plans

Three days ago, I bought yarn for a new project. For the first time in 40-odd years of crocheting, my chosen yarn arrived in hanks.

Yarn typically comes in pull skeins, cakes, balls or hanks. The first three are ready to go, but a hank has to be re-rolled into a ball before crocheting.

So I found an end and set about forming the first hank into a usable ball. All 200 yards of it immediately, fiercely turned itself into a huge tangle. Apparently, trying to roll it up agitated the string.

Wanting to avoid a repeat, I watched several YouTube videos about how to properly extract the yarn. Now properly trained, I approached the next hank with confidence. Things started well; then, halfway through, tangle theory struck again.

Clearly, more research was called for. I eventually discovered that more experienced yarn aficionados have invented a gadget, a sort of rotating wooden cross that holds the yarn on pegs. I am now the proud owner of an Amish Yarn Swift, several balls of yarn, and, perhaps someday, a handmade sweater.



A yarn about yarn

We'll come to you!

Sign up to receive an email when each new 30-Second Read is published.

Check spam folder for confirmation email.

4 Comments

  1. Sandy Simon Sandy Simon

    I love this! One person’s simple aggravation explained. We’ve all been there. Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know what a “hank” was (can you tell I don’t crochet?) so I learned one thing right away. I love 30-second read. Thanks for providing it!

    • Kaye-Ailsa Kaye-Ailsa

      I’m so glad you enjoyed the article.

  2. Darlene Olivo Darlene Olivo

    Love, love, love Jonah on the video. Thanks for sharing.

    • Kaye-Ailsa Kaye-Ailsa

      If I were that fast, I’d have a sweater next week. Not likely!

Comments are closed.