Abstract: A method of winding yarn into hanks, comprising the steps of loading a beam having a sheet of parallel ends of yarn wound thereon onto a rotatable beam stand; unwinding the sheet from the beam and passing the sheet through a nip between two reciprocating rolls; separating the parallel ends of yarn in the sheet from each other; and guiding each of the separated ends of yarn to a rotatable reel. The ends of yarn are then wound onto the rotatable reel by rotating the beam to release the sheet wound thereon; rotating the interacting rolls to draw the sheet through the nip; and rotating the reel to wind each separated end of yarn onto the reel. The rotational velocity of the beam and of the reciprocating rolls are controlled so as to keep the tension on the sheet of yarns below a defined value. By controlling tension, one reduces the likelihood of thread breakage and causes the yarns to be wound onto the reels in the form of loose hanks.