The Complete Yarn Bowl Guide You Need

Are you sick of chasing your yarn around like crochet? I've got the answer: get yourself a yarn bowl.

Crochet yarn bowl guide.
A beautiful and functional tool for keeping yarn in one place. Learn more and read my comments below.

At a glance - Contenders for the best yarn bowl.

Yarn Valet Yarn Yarn Bowl
Bamboo Yarn Spinning Bowl with Lid
Hagestad Classic Rosewood Yarn Yarn Bowl
Hand Painted Kitty Cat Yarn Handmade Yarn Bowl
Handmade Yarn Yarn Yarn Wooden Yarn Good Yarn Handmade Yarn Bowl
Maplewood Yarn Yarn Bowl
Hand Thrown Stoneware Yarn Bowl
Crocheted Rosewood Yarn Bowl
Sculpted Ceramic Face Yarn Sculptured Ceramic Bowl
Make more for less crochet yarn
FIND GORGEOUS YARNS AT US CROCHET
Table of Contents
What is a yarn bowl?
What is a yarn bowl for?
Why you should use one
What size yarn bowl is best?
How to choose a yarn bowl
Yarn Bowl Buying Guide
Yarn Valet Yarn Yarn Bowl
Bamboo Yarn Yarn Bowl with Lid
Classic Hagestad Rosewood Yarn Yarn Bowl
Hand Painted Kitty Cat Yarn Handmade Yarn Bowl
Handmade wooden bowl by good spinning yarn spinning
Hand Thrown Stoneware Yarn Bowl
Crocheted rosewood yarn bowl
Sculpted Face Yarn Ceramic Yarn Bowl
Maplewood Yarn Yarn Bowl
Sleepy Sheep Yarn Ceramic Yarn Bowl
What is a Yarn Bowl?
A yarn bowl is a bowl with a flat bottom and high sides, with a swirl cut into one side. This is where the working yarn is threaded.

The materials they are made of differ, some are made of wood, others of ceramic, plastic or sometimes even metal.

They often have circular cutouts for storing hooks or when using more than one thread in your project.

What is a yarn bowl for?
A yarn bowl is used to keep your yarn from rolling around when you are knitting.

The weight of the bowl allows the ball of yarn to roll around inside without tangling. The high sides keep it in place.

Why you should use one
To keep you from wasting time chasing your yarn around.
Yarn bowls keep your yarn clean, preventing lint or dust from building up.
You can move it wherever you want to knit.
Convenient when working with multiple yarns.
They are a yarn holder and also look beautiful.
Keep your yarn safe from pets
What size yarn bowl is best?
The best size yarn bowl measures 6½ - 8 inches wide and 3½ - 4½ inches tall. This will fit most balls of yarn and the sides are tall enough so it won't jump out like crochet.

Most medium sized yarn bowls are approximately 5-6" in diameter and 3" tall. Small bowls are about 4" wide and 2-3" tall, while large bowls are 6-8" wide and 4-5" tall.

One tip is to measure the width and height of the wound balls you use mostly in your crochet projects. This will help you decide which size is best for you.

How to choose a yarn bowl
Yarn bowls are made of wood, ceramic, plastic or metal - which material do you prefer?
No rough edges where the yarn comes through
High walls
A wide, flat base with a little weight so it's stable when the yarn moves around it.
An opening where you can thread the yarn in from the top
Yarn bowl buying guide
Here are some beautiful yarn bowls I've reviewed.

Yarn Valet Yarn Yarn Bowl
Yarn Valet Yarn Yarn Bowl
The non-slip rubber base acts like a suction cup to prevent it from moving on smooth surfaces. The entire container is unbreakable. Measures approximately: 6″ long, 3″ high, 6″ wide.

Pro

Lightweight and easily transportable.
Will not break if accidentally knocked.
Fits smaller balls and larger skeins, the hole at the top is for small ball yarn chain, the one at the bottom is for larger balls.
Made in the USA
Durable
Disadvantage

Some people may not like the 'plastic' look.
Click for more information / Buy from us Crochet
Bamboo yarn bowl with lid
Bamboo Yarn Bamboo Bowl with Lid
Made of 100% bamboo. Surfaces are smooth so your yarn won't catch like crochet. The top is a great addition to keep your yarn clean from dust. Measures 5.5" diameter x 3.5" tall.

Pro

Beautiful feel and aesthetics
Lightweight
Bamboo is a sustainable material
Cons

It only has small balls of yarn up to 50g with the cap.
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Hagestad Yarn Bowl Classic Rosewood Yarn Bowl
Hagestad Yarn Bowl Classic Rosewood Yarn Bowl
A high gloss wood yarn bowl. Surfaces have been polished so there is no chance of yarn snagging and maintains good tension. Approximately 7″ diameter x 4″ high. can comfortably fit a 5oz ball of yarn. Travel bag is included so you can easily take it anywhere. There are 2 holes to store your crochet hooks. The holes are 6.5mm in diameter.

Pro

Lifetime warranty
Large size can hold larger balls
Cons

The manufacturer is honest about their product having an odor that will disappear over time
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Hand Painted Kitty Cat Yarn Handpainted Cat Yarn Bowl
Hand Painted Kitty Cat Yarn Hand Painted Cat Yarn Bowl
If you love crochet and cats, this is the yarn bowl for you! Handmade yarn bowl by Cape Cod crafter Judith Stiles. The design is inspired by Meg the Cat, who throws loose balls of yarn on the floor.
It measures 5 1/2″ in diameter and 3 1/2″ inches tall.

Pro

Fun design and charming colors.
Sturdy, heavy base
Smooth surfaces that won't catch yarn.
Cons

The nature of ceramic is that if it is dropped, it will break. However, ceramic lasts a lifetime is well cared for.
Click for more information / Buy on Amazon
Wooden bowl handmade by good spinning yarn spinning.
Handmade wooden bowl by good spinning spinning yarn
Sheesham (Indian rosewood) wood is smooth and polished to bring out the natural grain of the wood. It measures 2.5" x 5" and fits comfortably on a 3.5 oz / 100 gram ball of bulky yarn. By purchasing you help support the artisan cooperative in India.

Pro

Heavy base that keeps it from moving
Light enough to be transportable
Cons

Will not fit larger skeins
Click for more information / Buy from Darn Good Yarn
Hand Thrown Stoneware Yarn Bowl
Hand Thrown Stoneware Yarn Bowl
Michael Fillus-Sherman of Avior Pottery's product has a clean, smooth loop for the yarn. The artist sizes them slightly larger than the norm to help hold large amounts of thread.

The Volcano Blue glaze combination has an earth toned bluish gray body, overflowing with a dripping rim of deep iridescent color.

Approximate dimensions: 5 1/2" wide X 4" high.

Each piece is made to order, so will vary slightly because they are individually cast and fired.

Pro

Beautifully handcrafted
Superb functional design
Smooth swirl for where the thread passes through
Great customer reviews
Cons

Since each bowl is made to order, expect about 3 weeks for shipment
Check today's price
Crocheted Rosewood Yarn Bowl
Crochet Rosewood Yarn Crochet Yarn Bowl
We Crochet prides itself on having products that suit the needs of crocheters. This wooden one keeps your beloved yarn clean and off the floor. The swirl is super smooth to ensure your yarn glides easily as you work on your projects.

A tapered bowl with an opening diameter of 5" and an average bowl diameter of 6".

Pro

Wood grains stand out for a lovely finish
Smooth surfaces
Good for those on a budget
Cons

Will not hold large skeins
Click to learn more / Buy from us Crochet
Ceramic Sculptured Face Yarn Ceramic Yarn Bowl
Sculptured Face Yarn Ceramic Yarn Bowl
This amazing work of art is bound to bring a smile to your face every time you look at it. It would certainly be a conversation starter.

Each one is a unique original piece that is given a name that will appear on your birth certificate that will come with it. Some people prefer to name their own. Just let the seller know if you would like to do that and they will put that name on the birth certificate.

Dimensions (approximate) of a regular bowl of yarn - 2 3/4" tall, 6 1/4" wide
and weighs 1.7 lbs

All Something Lucky artist work is food safe and all of our glazes are lead free and non-toxic.

Pro

A fun, practical piece of art
Multi-purpose: can hold chips, nuts, candy, and ideal for a string dispenser
Cons

Be prepared for reactions from family and friends who think it's less than charming!
Check today's price
Maplewood Yarn Bowl
Maplewood Yarn Crocheting Bowl
Made of Maplewood it has a lovely design and three places where you can store your hooks.

The glossy coat highlights the rich detail of the natural wood grain while providing a sheen and shine.

A tapered bowl with a flared opening; the top and widest center are 6" diameters, the narrowest point is 4.5" in diameter.

Pro

Lovely to use
Sturdy
Cons

Not suitable for large skeins of yarn
Click for more information / Buy from us Crochet
Sleepy Sheep Ceramic Yarn Yarn Bowl
Sleepy Sheep Ceramic Yarn Yarn Bowl
This cute sheep-shaped version keeps your yarn free of annoying tangles and knots. Simply drop a ball or skein into the center and thread the yarn through the curly sheep tail opening in the back of the bowl.

Measures 6″ in diameter, 4 1/2″ tall that has a shiny glaze and adorable details. Will hold about 3 oz of yarn.

Pro

Super cute design
Functional and smooth edges.
Cons

It's a small size, so it won't hold a large ball of yarn
Click to learn more / Buy on Amazon
Yarn bowls make crocheting easier, keep your yarn in place, and save you from chasing it all over the place. And reminding you that it's probably time for you to do some housework because the floors need attention.