Recently I read a blog by another crafter that advised against making center pull balls, with the reason that the end bits get irrevocably tangled. I love my nostepinne style center pull balls, but have experienced some tangling toward the end of the ball as the energy in the yarn twists the final wraps. I also have a knack for untangling most things, so just deal. But is there a way to manage the ball so there are no tangles? Yes.

By keeping the center of the ball open with a thumb or finger, the ball cannot collapse upon itself as you unwind. Here is a short video (with cat) showing how the two ends of the yarn come off the ball. This is particularly helpful when making a two-ply yarn from a single ball of single spun yarn.

It is important to recognize that each crafter is different, and there are many different ways to do almost everything. I personally can’t stand round wound balls, the way they skitter and jump as the yarn comes off, and inevitably roll across the floor to join the dust bunnies under the chair.