How to Use a Niddy Noddy
A niddy noddy is a tool used to wind yarn into a skein while simultaneously measuring the length of the skein. Niddy noddies are available in many different sizes, though a common size of niddy noddy in the US makes a two yard skein. To calculate the yardage of a skein, multiply the number of yarn wraps in the skein by the length of one wrap.
Though niddy noddies are most often used by handspinners, they are indispensable gadgets for anyone who plays with yarn.
Step 1
Assemble your niddy noddy and hold by the center post with your preferred hand. I like to wind the yarn with my right hand, so I hold my niddy noddy in my left hand.
Step 2
To skein yarn using your niddy noddy, secure the end of the yarn with your left thumb and wrap the yarn over the upper right arm.
Step 3
Next, bring the yarn down and around the bottom back arm, and then back up and around the upper left arm.
Step 4
Then, bring the yarn down and around the bottom front arm. Repeat this sequence until you run out of yarn. After a few skeins, the winding motion will become second-nature.
Step 5
Once you have finished skeining the yarn, secure both ends.
I use a figure eight tie with the yarn ends to secure my skeins.
Here is the finished figure eight tie.
And here is the finished skein with both ends secured.
Step 6
Removing yarn from the niddy noddy incorrectly may cause the arms to break. To avoid this, first slide the yarn toward the center post.
Step 7
Next, gently tap one of the arms on a table or other hard surface to partially remove it from the center post.
Keep tapping until the arm is nearly removed.
Alternatively, you may partially remove one of the arms by gently twisting it out of the hole.
Step 8
Once you have partially removed one of the arms, you should be able to slide the yarn easily off of the niddy noddy.
Congratulations!
Now you are ready to finish your skein however you chose.