Skeins

A skein is a length of yarn or other fiber loosely wound into an oblong coil, with two loose ends that can be pulled to unwind the strand. Skeins are used for storage, transport, and for preparing fiber for spinning, dyeing, or knitting.

Skeins can be formed by hand, using a swift and a niddy-noddy, or by machine on a skein winder. They are favored because they minimize tangling and make it easier to unwind the fiber evenly during subsequent work such as dyeing or knitting.

In textile terminology, skein is distinct from a hank and from a ball. A hank is a long loop of yarn tied in several places and typically needs to be rewound before use. A ball is a wound package that is designed to be unwound from the outside. The exact usage of terms varies by region and context, but skein generally refers to an elongated coil intended for easy unwinding from either end.

Skeins are used in dyeing, with skein dyeing allowing color to be applied more evenly when the yarn is suspended. Yarn sold in skeins is sold by length and weight, and skein sizes vary by fiber type and manufacturer.