Opened a parcel of hand-dyed yarn and found a beautiful twisted bundle instead of a ready-to-use ball? You're not alone. A skein isn't an inconvenience or an oversight. It's a deliberate part of how quality, hand-dyed yarn is produced and sold. Here's what a skein is, how it differs from a ball, cake and hank, why dyers use this format and how to wind a skein of yarn into something you can knit or crochet from.

Wool and yarn are often used to mean the same thing, but they're not quite interchangeable. Wool is a fibre that comes from sheep, while yarn is the spun strand you knit or crochet with, which can be made from all sorts of fibres. Understanding the difference helps you read a yarn label with confidence and choose the right material for your project. Here's what sets them apart, and why it matters when you're deciding what to make.

Let’s untangle the mystery of yarn weight and ply and make it simple, so you can choose your yarn with confidence every time.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the most common yarn formats, exploring what makes each unique, why manufacturers use them and how they impact your crafting experience.