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About Lesley Arnold-Hopkins
Expertise
I can answer questions on all types of knitting on needles (ie not loom knitting) including Fairisle, intarsia, lace and basic knitwear design. I can also answer on crochet, including tapestry crochet, but I do not have sufficient knowledge of toys or stuffed animals to call myself an expert.

Experience
I've been knitting and crocheting for over 35 years. In that time I have made a variety of items, incorporating a range of stitch techniques and have designed my own garments. I have had patterns published in the UK (crochet and knitting) and teach both crafts.

Publications
Suite 101

Education/Credentials
BA(Hons)Open (not related to knitting or crochet, but shows my highest level of education)

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Arts and Crafts > Knitting > balls of wool

Knitting - balls of wool

Expert: Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - 11/7/2009

Question
HI Lesley. Can you please tell me if I should start my ball of wool from the outside, or the inside, or should I rewind it with a wool winder before knitting. I find that if I start it from the inside, it tends to get twisted. Thanks.

Answer
Hi Katie,

Thanks for your question.

Unless there are specific instructions on the ball band, then it doesn't shouldn't matter. You may like to run a strand through your fingers in both directions, to see if any fibres stick up or lay flat, and then knit according to the effect that you want, but the way that most yarns are spun, you can work from either the outside or the centre.

Many knitters prefer working from the centre, as it usually means that the ball is less likely to roll around when they knit, but if you prefer to work from the outside, then there's no reason not to.

If it's already in a ball, I wouldn't re-wind it before using,unless you have a good reason for doing so (using two strands together, etc).

Sorry, I'm not giving a definitive answer here, but check your ball band, have a feel of the yarn and if there is no reason to work with one end or another, then just knit whichever way suits you best.

Many thanks

Lesley

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