Alright, this is one of those conversations we end up having in the shop all the time, just as recent as last week. Why do you call it a hank, or a cake, or a skein or a ball of yarn. I hope this blog answers some of those questions for you.
The Hank
A hank is yarn that has been wound into a large loop and then twisted into that beautiful braid shape you see on the shelf, or hanging on our gridwalls.
But here’s the important part: a hank is not ready to knit or crochet from.
Before you use it, you need to wind it into a ball or a cake. If you try to work from it as-is, oh my, you will quickly meet what we lovingly call a yarn disaster. I've seen lots of new knitters and crocheters arrive with tangled yarn—yikes!
The Cake
A cake is what you get after winding a hank (or skein) on a yarn winder.
It has a flat top and bottom, and usually allows you to pull from the center, which keeps everything neat and tidy while you work. But not always so, in my case.
Cakes are practical. Organized. Efficient.
(Which, if you know me, means I love them, but somehow still end up with yarn all over the place anyway) – and that isn’t just me – I’m giving a shout out to my friend Lynne (hee, hee).
The Skein
A skein is the most common way yarn is sold commercially—especially with brands like acrylics or larger production yarns.
It’s already wound, usually oval-shaped, and often labeled so you can pull from either the outside or the center.
This is the “grab and go” version of yarn. No prep needed.
So why are some yarns sold in hanks?
Now this is where it gets interesting, and honestly, kind of beautiful.
Yarns, especially hand-dyed or luxury fibres; like those gorgeous Artyarns bases we love, are often sold in hanks for a few important reasons:
1. It protects the yarn
When yarn is tightly wound for long periods (like in a skein or cake), it can create tension on the fibers.
Hanks keep the yarn in a more relaxed state, which is especially important for delicate fibers like merino, silk, or cashmere.
2. It shows off the color
Hand-dyed yarns are little works of art.
A hank lets you observe how the colors interact and change. That subtle fade, that pop of contrast, it’s all visible.
Wind it into a cake, and some of that magic gets hidden. But it's so much fun to watch the yarn wind as you see the colors differently, and how they play well together.
3. It allows for proper dyeing
Most indie dyers dye yarn in hank form so the dye can fully saturate evenly.
That’s how you get those rich, layered colorways we all fall in love with.
A little shop thought to leave you with…
There is something about a wall of hanks that just makes you pause.
Not because they are complicated, but because they hold possibilities.
It’s a vibrant array of colors, reminiscent of a candy store where the choices are so appealing it's hard to pick just one.
A hank asks you to slow down for just a moment, to open it, wind it, and begin with intention.
A skein says, “let’s get started right now.”
A cake says, “I’ve got you all set.”
And a hank, well, a hank says,
“take your time… this is going to be something special.”
If you’ve ever wondered why we offer winding in the shop… now you know
And if you’ve never wound a hank before, come sit with us and we’ll walk you through it.
Because around here, we don’t just sell yarn - we start stories with it. We have the best conversations with our family of knitters and crocheters while standing with a winding yarn. It also saves our customers much time.
