The 5 Best Yarn Bowls

If you're a knitter or a crocheter, you may or may not have heard of the truly genius invention that is the yarn bowl. What is a yarn bowl? Well, if you like to get crafty with a ball of yarn, you've likely had to deal with the annoyance of tangled yarn or a wayward ball. Enter the yarn bowl. A charming little bowl that allows you to place your ball of yarn in the center and string the yarn through a small hole or slitted opening, this nifty crafter's dream is a must. Curious what to look for in a yarn bowl? These are the best 5 we could find. And don't worry; if you can't settle on just one, it's actually insanely handy to have more than one yarn bowl for those who have projects a bit more in-depth and use more than one color of yarn at a time.

Nagina International Wooden Yarn Bowl

Gorgeous Rosewood Yarn Bowl

This simply stunning, high-gloss yarn bowl by Nagina International is a winner.

Best Overall

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This stunningly crafted yarn bowl is top on the list for a variety of reasons. First, the three size options available. Featuring the biggest of all of the yarn bowls on this list, you’ll easily fit balls of yarn for virtually any size project (7w x 4h x 7d in total)…holding skeins of yarn up to 10 oz. If you consistently work with smaller balls of yarn, however, you can simply order the small or medium size option–or the whole set, which comes with all three.

The intricate design of this bowl makes it beautiful to keep on display, an added bonus to those of us who are constantly picking up and putting down their knitting or crocheting projects. And although spirals, decorations, and finish of this bowl make it pretty, it’s incredibly functional too: the holes are smooth enough so that your yarn won’t snag, and the bowl is heavy enough that it won’t easily tip over. It’s also made of wood, os it won’t break on you. It’s a shiny, fabulously design of functional art. The competition is close, but this yarn bowl rises above the rest.

Pros:

Beautiful design.
Bowl comes in three size options.
Walls are thick, keeping balls of yarn in place during use.

Cons:

Rosewood has a distinct odor. This is a smell that will, however, dissipate with time.

Hagestad Rosewood Yarn Bowl

A Fantastic Travel Option by Hagestad

Included with this simple, yet beautiful, yarn bowl by Hagestad, is a handy velvet travel bag.

Best for Traveling

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The reason why this yarn bowl is best for traveling? It comes with its own velvet travel pouch. Made from sustainable sheesham wood, or rosewood, this sturdy little bowl is both beautiful to keep on display and handy for using around the house or on the go. You’ll find that it’s lightweight, yet heavy enough to keep from tipping easily.

The glossy, gorgeous finish of this yarn bowl is a deep, rich, natural finish. You’ll find that there is a bit of an odor to this bowl, as is the case with any product made from pure rosewood. However, it will dissipate with time. The knots and swirls of this wood add character, while the smooth finish means you’ll be happily knitting along without snagging your yarn.

Pros:

High gloss, smooth finish over the entire surface. Yarn easily slips through holes.
Lifetime Guarantee.
Two size H-8 wooden crochet hooks included.

Cons:

Small bowl, at only 6 inches in diameter and 3 inches high (fits 3.5 oz of yarn).

What on Earth Ceramic Yarn Bowl

Inspired, Funky and Fun Yarn Bowl

If you're looking for a fun ceramic design, this yarn bowl is a must.

Best Ceramic Yarn Bowl

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If you’re looking for a funky, unique option for a yarn bowl, this ceramic one is a fun option: it’s a sheep. Measuring 6 inches wide by 4.5 inches high and coming in at a hefty 1.55 pounds, it’s a good size and solid weight for keeping your yarn safely tucked in a sturdy yarn bowl that won’t easily tip. The sweet little sheep design is made of glazed pottery, a bonus if you like to keep your handiwork on display. The circular yarn through-hole has smooth edges–important, as you don’t want your yarn catching.

Pros:

Fun pottery to display.
Doesn’t tip easily.

Cons:

It’s a bit on the small size for larger balls of yarn.
Ceramic, so if dropped it can break.

Yarn Valet Non-Slip Yarn Bowl

Retro-inspired Yarn Bowl With a Cause

Every purchase from Yarn Valet directly supports those with special needs: all Yarn Valet products are made in the USA and assembled by people with developmental disabilities.

Best Non-Slip Yarn Bowl

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Solving the problem of a tippy bowl, this yarn bowl comes with an attached, rubberized non-slip base. Made of ABS plastic, this bowl is lightweight, but because of the non-slip base, you don’t have to worry about it slipping even when you’re pulling on your yarn. And a nice benefit to it being so lightweight? It’s easy to travel with, packs well, and won’t break. the scalloped edges lend a fun, retro feel to the bowl. This yarn bowl measures 6 x 6 x 3 inches.

Yarn Valet products are made in the USA and each purchase means you’ll be supporting someone with developmental disabilities: these products are assembled by individuals with extra needs, and your support of these employees is invaluable.

Pros:

ABS plastic is durable
Great for travel as it’s both lightweight and on the smaller size.

Cons:

Bowls are too lightweight if you’re using it without the non-stick bottom.

BambooMN Lidded Yarn Bowl

Neat and Organized Bamboo Yarn Bowl

This yarn bowl comes with a fitted lid, keeping yarn safely tucked inside.

Best Yarn Bowl with a Lid

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If you like to (or need to) keep your yarn tucked away from sight, a yarn bowl with a lid, such as this one by BambooMN, is a solid option. If your ball of yarn is on the smaller side, you can use this yarn bowl with the lid in place. While this bowl is on the smaller size (5.5 inches in diameter by 3.5 inches in height), it’s a fantastic option for smaller projects, or with the lid off, can still work for larger ones.

It’s made from 100% bamboo and has a glossy, smooth finish that won’t snag yarn. As a bonus, bamboo is a sustainable, renewable resource.

Pros:

Very smooth finish. Yarn will not snag.
Simple, functional design.

Cons:

Smaller size bowl isn’t ideal for larger projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should you look for in a yarn bowl?

What makes a good yarn bowl is the size and weight: you want something that’s plump and heavy, has high sides, and holes that are smooth. These points are important because of what goes inside of them: the yarn. You want the yarn to fit in the bowl, to stay in the bowl during use, and for the string to not get caught on any rough edges of the hole. You also want the bowl to be a bit on the heavier side, making it less possible for the bowl to tip during use. As a bonus, yarn bowls can also hold your work while you’re not actively knitting or doing handiwork.

2. What is the best type of material for a yarn bowl?

This is entirely up to you and your own personal preferences. Have kids or nosey cats? You might prefer a wooden yarn bowl, as ceramic bowls can break if knocked over. Wooden bowls will have to be lightly oiled or waxed periodically to keep them from drying out and cracking, but typically, they’re more durable.

3. What is the best size for a yarn bowl?

As stated above, you’ll want to look for a bowl that’s a bit tall and plump. If you get a bigger bowl, you’ll be on the safe side. Small balls of yarn can fit in a large bowl, but large balls of yarn will not fit into a small bowl. As a rule of thumb, the larger, younger, and higher the bowl is, the better.