I use the empty 2 liter soda bottles. By cutting off the top, about 2 inches from the curve, you can put a smaller skein or a ball down inside.
Thread the end through the top and simply pop the top back on. I find inside the bottom works better than outside. You have a nice clean place where it can't get tangled.
I make a lot of scrap squares so sometimes I put smaller balls inside the bottle and keep them and a hook inside the car for times when I have to wait for someone.
Not only does the ball not tangle, but it stays clean and drives the cats crazy!
I've been doing this a long time. You can do some amazing things with these handy bottles.
By Sandi/Poor But Proud from Salem, OR
This page contains the following solutions.
When knitting or crocheting, put your skein/ball of yarn in an empty tissue box. It keeps the yarn in place, and helps keep it from rolling around and getting tangled.
When I'm getting ready to knit or crochet something I take a small coffee can and put a hole in the lid, drop my ball of yarn in and feed the loose end through the hole before casting on my stitches.
My wool is always getting tangled when I knit. Cut a pop bottle in half leave a strip of plastic for hanging. Tape your bottle onto a chair; mine is on a walker. Put your wool into the bottle, the bottle will be upside down, and pull through the top part of the bottle. It keeps your wool tangle free.
It's always easiest to use yarn which pulls from the center. If you have some that does not pull from the center of the skein, here's a simple solution.
I use the smaller mesh bags that fruit and vegetables come in to hold the balls of wool when I am knitting. I do not have wool unraveling any more and I find the wool easier to work with when I am traveling.
I use an empty tissue box to store my yarn in while knitting. The plastic around the pop up opening holds it in place and helps to keep it from tangling.
