1️⃣ Format: How Yarn Is Packaged

Cone Yarn

• Wound on a cone for continuous use

• Typically produced for industrial knitting and weaving

• Larger quantities, ideal for machines or big projects

Ball / Skein Yarn

• Wound into balls or skeins for hand-knitting convenience

• Usually washed, finished, and retail-ready

• Smaller, standardized weights

Key point: The difference is in the format, not the fiber itself.

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2️⃣ Production & Finishing

Many cone yarns bloom and soften after washing and blocking, sometimes exceeding the softness and feel of retail yarn.

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3️⃣ Fiber Quality

• Cone yarn can be as high quality as ball yarn.

• Many cones come from high-end knitwear factories or mill ends, meaning the fiber is premium.

• The difference is usually preparation and presentation, not fiber composition.

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4️⃣ Practical Use

When to choose cone yarn:

• Projects requiring large yardage (garments, blankets, weaving)

• Consistent texture over long runs

• Interest in exploring mill-quality fibers

When to choose ball/skein yarn:

• Smaller projects or gifts

• Beginners who prefer ready-to-use yarn

• Patterns requiring exact retail skein measurements

Tip: Swatching is always recommended for cone yarn to check gauge and texture.

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5️⃣ Sustainability & Value

Cone yarn often comes from surplus lots, mill ends, or factory remnants, which:

• Reduces waste

• Provides high-quality fibers at lower cost

• Offers unique colors or blends unavailable in retail skeins

This makes cone yarn a smart choice for eco-conscious makers who value both material and story.

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6️⃣ How That Yarn Curates Cone Yarn

At That Yarn, we:

• Carefully select mill ends and surplus cones

• Provide honest notes on condition and finish

• Help makers understand the fiber, texture, and potential of each cone

Cone yarn isn’t “leftover”; it’s a chance to work with exceptional materials thoughtfully sourced and fully described.