Skein, Ball, Cake or Hank? Let’s Unravel Them

Skein, Ball, Cake or Hank? Let’s Unravel Them

If you are new to the wonderful world of yarn, chances are you have stumbled across terms like skein, ball, cake and hank. What do they mean and which one should you choose? Let’s break it down.

• Skein: This is the most common form that you will see in stores. It’s an oblong-shaped bundle of yarn that is easy to display and store. Skeins are great for grabbing and starting a project right away, but they can sometimes tangle as you work.

• Ball: Just like it sounds, yarn is wound into a round ball. This format keeps your yarn tidy and easy to work with. It is especially helpful for smaller projects because it takes the problem of tangles out of the work. You may have noticed though that yarn balls are not sold in stores. You will have to wind it yourself if this is the style you prefer. Use care however, as winding yarn into a ball can compress fluffier yarn and flatten bulky strands that are meant to show texture.

• Cake: The contemporary favorite! Yarn cakes are wound with a yarn winder into a lovely stackable, easy to manage thing of beauty. Pulling from the center is a piece of “cake” – yes, pun intended. Rarely will you have tangles so it may be worth the time invested to wind it yourself. Cakes are ideal for projects with color changes because the gradient or pattern is often visible in the cake.

• Hank: This method of displaying yarn is often used by yarn dyers as it is wound into a large circular ring and then twisted on itself. The beauty of hanks often will grab your yarn heart by screaming “buy me.” Tangling is a big issue however, if not rewound into a ball or cake before use.

Each type has its perks, so it often depends on your project and preference. Skeins are for convenience, balls are for neatness, and cakes are for style and ease. Happy crocheting!