Winding a bobbin

A bobbin is a reel or spool on which a small amount of yarn is wound. These can either be shop bought (right) or made of card. Alternatively, you can just wind the yarn around your fingers as follows

Step 1: Position the tail end of the yarn in your palm, then wrap the yarn in a figure-of-eight around your little finger and thumb until you have enough for one section of colour

Step 2: Slip the loops off your fingers and wrap the tail tightly around the centre. Cut the yarn from the ball and start knitting from the working yarn. The bobbin will unravel as you knit.

More from "Intarsia Colourwork":

• The right stripes
• Introducing a new colour