What is a Skein of Wool?

by Maoiliosa
(Ireland)

A Skein of Wool

Hi,

After a gap of 20 years I now have the time and enthusiasm to start knitting and crocheting again.

I cant wait...

and have a few questions...

first one today...

what is a`"skein" of wool? I used to buy by 50 or 100 gm...?

YOUR ANSWER

The dictionary definition of a skein is "A length of thread or yarn wound in a loose long coil".

And and you can see from the photo above, that is pretty much what a skein is. It is fairly unusual to find wool in skeins in your local wool or craft shop, but wool will occasionally come in skein form if you buy directly from the manufacturer or if you buy hand spun wool.

Most commercially spun knitting yarn is sold in balls in 25, 50, 100 or 200 gram sizes, whereas skeins are generally sold by length for example 100 yards or 200 metres.

If you do happen to buy wool in skeins, you will need to wind the wool into balls before you start knitting, otherwise you will get yourself into an awful tangle.

I usually untwist the skein and rest the skein around the backs of two chairs to unwind the yarn. I use chairs so that I can have them far enough apart to slightly stretch the skein. I find a bit of tension on the yarn makes it easier to unravel the skein.

Your skein should have two ties holding the ends, untie or cut the ties and start winding the yarn into a ball. You can do this by hand or you can use a wool winder.