The four forms at a glance
| Form | What it looks like | Knit straight from it? |
|---|---|---|
| Ball | Round or cylindrical wind | Yes |
| Skein | Oblong wind, often with a paper band | Yes, from the inner or outer end |
| Hank | Large loop of yarn twisted on itself | No: wind it first |
| Cake | Flat cylinder made on a ball winder | Yes, pulled from the center |
In everyday use "skein" often means any unit of yarn you buy. Our yarns come in balls that are ready to knit.
How many meters are in a skein?
It depends on the yarn weight. A 100 g skein can hold 50 m or more than 400 m. These are rough ranges per 100 g; your label always wins:
| Yarn weight | Meters per 100 g (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Fingering / sock (1) | 350–450 m |
| Sport (2) | 250–350 m |
| DK (3) | 200–250 m |
| Worsted / aran (4) | 150–200 m |
| Bulky (5) | 100–150 m |
| Super bulky (6) | under 100 m |
Real examples: FACES holds 100 m in 200 g (50 m per 100 g, super bulky); BeMe holds 120 m in 100 g. More in our yarn weight chart.
How to wind a hank
- Untie the ties without cutting the yarn and open the loop.
- Put it on a swift, the back of a chair or a friend's hands.
- Find the end and wind it with a ball winder or by hand, without tension.
- Don't pull tight: yarn wound under tension loses stretch and your gauge changes.
How to read a yarn label
- Weight and length: the two numbers you need to work out how much to buy. Always calculate by length.
- Fiber content: for example 100% Peruvian Highland wool.
- Recommended needles or hook and gauge: stitches and rows per 10 cm. Check yours with our gauge swatch guide.
- Color and dye lot: buy all the yarn for one garment from the same lot; shades can differ between lots.
- Care: washing and drying. For chunky yarn, see how to wash and block chunky wool.
FAQ
How many skeins do I need for a sweater?
It depends on size and yarn weight. Calculate by length: how to knit a chunky sweater lists the amounts for our patterns.
Can I swap the pattern yarn for one with different-sized skeins?
Yes, if the gauge matches. The math is in yarn substitution.
Is a yarn cake the same as a ball?
Almost: a cake is a flat wind made on a ball winder that stays put while you pull from the center.
What happens if I mix dye lots?
A stripe may show. If there is no more of the same lot, alternate two rows from each ball for 10–15 cm.
