Skein, Ball, Hank, Cake

You hear the terms - are you sure what they mean? Here is the difference between the names for the ways yarn is wound.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• knit
• hand knit
• what is a skein
• what is a ball
• what is a cake
• what is a hank
• yarn

[Pokankuni]

At last!...You are the right person for the big question what has been rolling in my mind for years...Please tell me: WHY do they sell yarn in hanks? Why don't they make them up into cakes or skeins? What's the plus in a hank? Thank you!

[verypinkknits]

@Pokankuni That's a good question! You usually see hanks of yarn from the nicer yarn companies, while cheaper yarn is done up in skeins. I believe it's because hanks show off the yarn much better than a skein does. Especially if the yarn is dyed in multiple colors.

[Entilodont]

Thank you for this video, now I know what to call them if I ever visit the north american continent! (Down here we call balls 'balls', skeins 'balls', hanks 'skeins' and cakes 'centre-pull balls')

[Pokankuni]

@verypinkknits Thanks!! :)

[JacquiXG]

Thanks for clearing things up for us newbies!

[MaggieBones]

<3 Oh man. THANK YOU. I came upon the realization the other day that I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA which was which. Now I can proudly declare that I prefer cakes that I make from hanks with my swift and winder. /knitting nerd/

[shellzay]

Thank you! :o)

[pop41us]

Thank you.. You're the best!