How to Roll a Center Pull Ball

Keep On Rolling!
When To Roll A Ball
Often yarn comes in a hank rather than a skein or rolled ball. Before working with it, you'll want it rolled into a ball. You can often ask your local yarn shop (LYS) to roll it for you when you buy it. Eventually, you may consider purchasing a ball winder and swift so you can do this at home.

Knowing how to hand roll your yarn comes in handy, however, after you have worked through much of your ball of yarn. The ball structure flattens and it becomes loose and flappy. This is a great time to employ the roll your own center pull ball technique so your yarn doesn't become tangled.

Why Center Pull
The center pull ball is great because the ball of yarn won't roll around (and therefore away!). I love being able to roll my own balls for multi-colored projects as well as it keeps the yarn more organized. Just tuck the outside end of the yarn securely into the ball and then it won't unravel either!

To roll a center pull ball: Hold an end of your yarn (the end you'll want to work from, that will become the center) securely in your left hand with the tail hanging down to the floor. Make an L with your left thumb and pointer finger. Begin wrapping the yarn in a figure 8 shape around these two fingers. Be sure not to drop the center tail! Wrap yarn until it goes about halfway or more up your thumb. Then fold your fingers together. Keeping this center mass somewhat loose, continue wrapping yarn into a ball shape. You'll want to leave that center part loose or else it will be hard to pull the yarn from as you start using it. Secure the end of the yarn in the outside of the formed ball.

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