Yarn Ball Holder

Dear users and authors,
do you have a yarn ball holder, or what features do you find important in one?
Let me know.

Hi,

I don’t have a yarn ball holder. My ball of yarn is always next to me on the couch, and I’m constantly annoyed that it falls off when I’m unwinding it.

Best regards, Heike

I feel much like Heike... The ball of yarn keeps merrily rolling around, and at some point it has to be picked up off the floor.

It’s similar with gradient yarn cakes. They don’t jump around, but they either collapse inward (if you start from the center) or you constantly have to tug at them awkwardly and they fall over... (if you start from the outside)

So a holder would certainly be a smart investment at some point.

How about upcycling? I’m sure you can find something that can be repurposed as a holder.

I sewed myself a Bobbel bag, and even if it’s something smaller, there’s still room for my knitting project inside.

I once built my own yarn ball holder. It consisted of a blank CD holder, a fidget spinner, and a small ceramic bowl. I posted a picture of it in another thread once, but unfortunately I can’t find it anymore.

I once used a teapot as a yarn holder. You put the yarn inside and pull the end of the thread out of the spout. It worked well, but unfortunately I didn’t take the teapot with me when I moved.

I either use my craft buckets (that way I have all the necessary tools right at my fingertips) or, every now and then, a bowl from the kitchen. The main thing is that the ball of yarn unwinds smoothly while I’m working and doesn’t go off on its own.

My mother-in-law used to do filet crochet and had several yarn ball holders. Hers were these two-part plastic containers where the yarn came out the top, and you could even hang them up. I think you can still buy those today. She left me one, but I haven’t used it yet. My skeins are usually bigger—I don’t do filet crochet.

For those who already have everything, there are also handmade, glazed ceramic containers available for this purpose.

I treated myself to two expensive wooden bowls that I also often use on the patio, but indoors in the living room I often use lightweight wicker bowls.

I have various small baskets for smaller projects, as well as taller trays for larger ones. I always put my project inside them… that way, I can easily take it with me from the balcony to the sofa or even when I’m traveling. I often have 2–3 projects going at the same time, especially when they’re larger ones. This also lets me switch between projects very quickly, which is convenient for me.

I don’t want to use my teapot for this—but I could repurpose a coffee pot as a yarn holder.

Otherwise, my yarn just rolls around loose or sits in various bags.

My yarn cakes often end up in something like this; if I’m working from the outside, I usually put them in a Tupperware bowl. I also have some laundry/bra bags from Rossmann that work well for smaller yarn cakes or balls of yarn. Just letting them roll around on the couch isn’t an option—I have four cats and a dog ;-)

I use the following as yarn holders:

*sometimes Grandma’s old teapot; they stay securely in place there
*a plant pot with an embroidered look,
*or even kitchen roll holders; they’re great for filet crochet thread
*yogurt tubs/gummy bear tubs are also well suited for this; I like using them for yarn cakes

I have one of those wooden holders, similar to a paper towel holder, only it rotates. It works quite well; I oil the turntable from time to time, and then it spins smoothly. However, our living room table is too smooth, so it doesn’t stand very slip-resistant there; it works better on the other tables.  But basically, I’m also happy to let regular balls of yarn tumble around on the floor.  I only use it for gradient yarn cakes or the large sock yarn balls.
Nice, but not necessary would be my summary
Best regards, Caro

Well, when I’m crocheting on the balcony in the summer, I’d sometimes like to have one—especially with light-colored yarn—because the balcony floor isn’t very clean. I always have to be super careful that the ball of yarn doesn’t fall off. But I haven’t bought one yet. Maybe it’ll be on my Christmas wish list.

I don’t have a yarn ball holder either. It can be annoying sometimes when the balls roll around on the table, fall on the floor, or get caught somewhere.
I’ve also thought about getting myself such a useful thing. We’ll see.
Most of the time I crochet with small balls, and these Bobbels stay put if you crochet from the inside; it’s just the rest where you have to watch that nothing gets tangled.

Maybe my husband can make one for me. There are still some wood scraps around. We’ll see.

Maybe this would make a great Christmas gift for your loved ones?