Understanding Yarn: Skeins, Balls, Hanks, and Cakes
You might have yarn in your stash labeled as a skein, ball, hank, or cake and wondered what those names mean. What’s the difference between them? Let’s break it down! If you’re new to crocheting, you may have heard many new terms, such as skein of yarn. But, now you are probably scratching your head, wondering what the heck a skein of yarn exactly is.
A skein of yarn is one of the common ways yarn is packaged. It’s rolled into a loose, oblong shape rather than a tight ball. Skeins are convenient for beginners because they’re ready to use without needing to re-roll the yarn. However, as the skein unravels, you may need to roll the leftover yarn into a ball to keep it organized.
For those new to crochet, understanding these terms is important. It helps you figure out how much yarn you’ll need and how to use a skein effectively.
It’s also helpful to know the pros and cons of skeins so you can decide if they’re the right choice for your next crochet project.
What Does A Skein Of Yarn Mean?
A skein, pronounced “skain,” is a common way yarn is packaged before being sold. It’s rolled into a long, oblong shape that’s simple and practical, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Skeins are easy to work with and suitable for different types of yarn, from thin yarn for crochet to medium-weight yarn often used in knitting or vice versa.
When following a new crochet pattern, you might notice the pattern tells you how much yarn you’ll need. Some patterns list the amount in weight, while others indicate the number of skeins required. Understanding this can help you prepare for your next project.
A skein of yarn can be thought of as a unit. For instance, if a pattern calls for three skeins, you’ll need to purchase three of these units. While skeins may vary in length, an average skein contains about 360 feet (110 meters) of yarn. This measurement can help you estimate how many skeins you’ll need for your project.
You might wonder why yarn isn’t always packaged in one standard shape. The answer lies in personal preferences and the specific uses of each rolling method. Each shape has its own advantages and disadvantages, but skeins are among the most common and easy to recognize thanks to their oblong shape.
Skein of Yarn Details
A skein of yarn is almost always wrapped in a label. This label will describe the total length of yarn in yards and meters, its yarn weight, preferred gauge, care directions, and colorway information. It is important to know how to read a yarn label. (see the picture below for more detail)
How much yarn is in a skein?
The amount of yarn in a skein can vary depending on the brand, weight, and type of yarn. Skeins can range from as little as 25 yards to over 300 yards.
Typically, a skein of yarn for knitting or crocheting will contain around 100 to 200 yards of yarn. However, it is important to check the label of the specific skein of yarn you are working with for accurate information about its yardage.
The Pros And Cons Of A Skein Of Yarn
A skein is one of the most common of the three primary shapes in which yarn is sold. However, does this also mean it is the best shape for you to use? The perfect shape of yarn mainly depends on your personal preference. However, there are some pros to working with skeins when you first start crocheting.
The Pros Of A Skein Of Yarn
The first advantage to buying a skein of yarn is that this shape is widely available. In addition, you can find many kinds of wool rolled into skeins to suit your needs. Another advantage of using skeins of yarn is that they are easy to work with. You don’t have to unroll the yarn and reroll it into a ball before you can start crocheting. Instead, you can find the end of the yarn, cast your stitches, and get to work.
Because of the ease and accessibility of skeins of yarn, this shape is ideal for beginner crocheters. Many crochet patterns also call for a certain number of skeins, in which case you don’t need to do any additional measurements before starting a project.
The Cons Of A Skein Of Yarn
Unfortunately, we cannot only discuss the pros of skeins of yarn. If there are any cons, we must mention them too. There is only really one con of using a skein of yarn. As you unwind the skein, the yarn will lose shape. Later, you will have one shapeless heap of yarn that can quickly become tangled.
At this time, expert crocheters will recommend you unwind the yarn and roll it into a tangle-free ball before continuing your project. Although the rerolling will take some time, it is worth the effort if you don’t want yarn tangled up. Therefore, a skein of yarn isn’t the most time-efficient shape to work with.
What Other Shapes Does Yarn Come In?
Considering the pros and cons of a skein of yarn, you may wonder if there are other shapes worth considering, and what these shapes of yarn are used for. In fact, there are 5 main shapes of yarn. These shapes are balls, cakes, skeins, cones, and hanks.
Balls of yarn come rolled into different-sized balls. Sometimes, they have a flat top and are then called cakes. Other times, they have a hole in the middle and are referred to as donuts. You also get center-pull balls of yarn, where the end you must start with is in the middle of the ball.
Balls of yarn are also easy to work with, and you don’t need to do any rerolling before you start to crochet. However, if the ball is too big or heavy, you’ll notice that the yarn keeps winding up. Therefore, you will spend more time unwinding the yarn to prevent tangles.
Cakes of yarn is wound on a ball winder into a cake that sits flat nicely and shows off the range of colors. It has a shape that is similar to a ball, but it can be worked from the outside or from the center.
Hanks of yarn are less common than skeins or balls, but they stand out with their unique and eye-catching shapes, often resembling a braid or a pretzel. While they look appealing, they require extra effort to prepare since you need to wind them into a ball before starting your crochet project.
Hanks are often associated with premium yarns. This is because boutique creators typically twist the yarn into hanks after dyeing, skipping the additional step of machine-winding it into skeins or balls. This handmade touch adds to their charm and exclusivity.
A hank of yarn cannot be used straight from its original form. You’ll need to unroll the entire hank and wind it into a ball before you can start crocheting. This process can be time-consuming, which is why hanks are less popular compared to skeins or balls of yarn for beginner crocheters.
Cones of yarn are built with a plastic or cardboard tube or cone in the middle, of which the yarn is wrapped around. Cones are mainly used for weaving and other applications where the yarn needs to spin out of a stationary location.
What Is The Best Shape Of Yarn For Beginners?
If you’re new to crochet, the best yarn shape to use is a ball or a skein. Both are simple to work with and won’t give you too much trouble.
I always recommend beginners choosing a ball or skein of yarn for a first project. As you get better, you can try using a hank if you’d like, since it takes more time to prepare. A skein is a great option for beginners because it’s easy to use and doesn’t tangle as much as a ball. When the skein starts to lose its shape, just roll the leftover yarn into a ball, and you’re ready to keep going!
