Yarn being waxed for machine knitting

Wax

Used to help yarn flow more smoothly and form stitches correctly


Yarn on cones that was wound to be used in a factory is often waxed. This allows for the speed of industrial knitting.

Many machine knitters wax their yarn either as they knit or as they rewind balls/skeins/hangs into cakes. Some knitting machines come with a small bit of wax and ledge on the mast to position it for ease of waxing as you knit.

Waxing yarn is a matter of personal preference.

You may use wax for every knitting project. Some knitters (including me) rarely think about waxing.

  • If you are using old, vintage yarn that has been around for years and is dry and full of static, consider wax.
  • If your machine is not knit knitting well, the yarn is breaking, tangling or stitches are not forming correctly, consider wax.
  • If you are stuggling with static, consider wax.
You don't need anything fancy for wax, just a chunk of paraffin or a white candle works.

Visit our blog to share your opinion about waxing yarn.