Sheri,

I'm sorry you've had so much frustration with center pull skeins. I've been luckier and prefer a center pull.

I remove the label and squash the skein from both ends to get more room in the middle so my fingers can feel for the middle and pull out the yarn there.

If I pull out a small wad, I count it a success and untangle the wad to start crocheting. Afterward I sometimes put the skein in a yarn bra or the netting that garlic, tomatoes, and some veggies come in to keep the outside end from unwinding.

If it's a big wad, I stop tugging and tuck the wad back inside the skein because this isn't going to work (can't win them all), and I work from the outside of the skein.

You know, it may be the yarn brand or the yarn type that determines whether it wants to be a center pull or an outside pull. I haven't paid enough attention to know which is which.

Pauline

I mostly use the cheap acrylic yarn and the center pull is usually easy to find, so I prefer to work from that. When I'm forced to use the outside pull, I really dislike the way the skein flops around and the difficulty of pulling more yarn to work with. I can't help thinking that when the skein rolls around, it's just getting dirty/cat hair/who knows what else on it. However, I do know the frustration of not finding the center pull- ~>=(

I was just wrestling last night with a mohair blend yarn (Paton Lacette) while making the Motif Web Shawl by Annette Petavy from Interweave Crochet Winter 2007. I pulled from the center and spent about as much time untangling as I did crocheting. In fact, it was so frustrating that even though I love how the first motif came out, I'm wondering whether to continue. This is the first time I've had a problem pulling from the center: is it the mohair that's encouraging snarls? (Any advice welcome!)

To mfox: I've never used mohair, but it could very possibly encourage tangles. :(

I recently had a friend share a tip that she uses for skeins that start from the outside. If you put the skein in a bowl, it will roll around without bouncing all over your floor and picking the cat (or dog at my house) fur. It works like a charm! And if the bowl has a lid, it can double as a project storage container for your small projects as well.

Personally, I like to use the center-pull as it makes for a neater tug while crocheting or knitting. The yarn also tends to stay cleaner.
Also, I have found that the cheaper skeins do not tend to tangle as much. Almost all of them start to get weird at the end--at that point I just roll it up until I am done.

If you purchase your yarn from a local yarn shop, they will usually wind it for you into fabulous little balls. No tug-of-war necessary, just smooth sailing. Usually the LYS are more expensive, but you get a better quality yarn and the satisfaction of supporting local business. Also, when you are constantly wrestling with your yarn it can effect the tension of your work.

I just decided to rewind the yarn (carefully, gently!) by hand into a ball. (Naturally, I encountered many fewer tangles than when I was crocheting.) Thanks for the input.

I, also, prefer the center pull. I've found that if I can't find it right away and I pull out a big wad, I try to treat that wad as a separate skein. Where it goes into the skein I treat as the end, and wind the wad into a small ball. When I've finished winding the little ball, I'm at the true end and can start working without it tangling up on me again. It's a bit more work, but when I work with the outside piece, my cat finds it irresistable!

I can not remember the last time I successfully found the center pull. So I employ empty square facial tissue boxes. I put the ball in the box and pull through the opening in the top so I don't have to chase the ball all over.

See, you never know what a person is going to learn. Some find no problem in finding the centre of the yarn. Personally, sometimes it is rather easy, other times it can be as frustrating as learning a new stitch without a teacher :) In any case, I have enjoyed reading all your responses. I think a lot has to do with the type of yarn you are using as well. So, whatever works for you, then go with it. If you really don't know, then only trial and error will help you figure out where you stand with your strand :>)

Happy crocheting,
Sheri Adams

Great Tip lorwill!

I will have to try that. My dog thinks he is a cat and always tries to get the ball of yarn :)

One day when wandering through patterns, I stumbled upon this: How to Make a Pull Skein at http://www.onceuponapattern.com/custom/pullskein.html
It's a little extra work, but it's so worth it.