Abstract: A method and apparatus for restoring the normal winding of yarn following a yarn break during a textile winding process is provided. A lower yarn end engaging member executes a predetermined number of attempts to engage a lower yarn end and a package exchange member exchanges a supply package for a fresh supply package in response to the detection of the absence of engagement of a lower yarn end after the predetermined number of lower yarn end engaging cycles. Once a lower yarn end is detected, an upper yarn end engaging means performs a predetermined number of attempts to engage an upper yarn end. If engagement of an upper yarn end is detected after a predetermined number of attempts, the lower yarn end and the upper yarn end are joined together and normal winding is resumed. If an upper yarn end is not detected after a predetermined number of attempts, a problem indicating member is activated to indicate to an operator that normal winding of yarn cannot be restored.