Abstract: A fixed base plate provided with a circular recess accommodates a rotating disk. Mounted above the base plate and the rotating disk, is an endless band conveyor swivellable about the axis of the roller in the area of the edge of the base plate. The rotating disk is fitted with a channel through which the yarn is guided from below into the space between the disk and the lower run of the band conveyor in which loops are formed and moved toward the edge of the base plate. Arranged at the edge of the base plate, below the conveyor, is a belt, receiving the loops. The drives of the band conveyor and the belt conveyor form a single unit.

Abstract: A winding mandrel for a ball winding machine has umbrella stretchers at its forward portion on which yarn is wound. The front end of the mandrel is provided with a plurality of radial channels open on frontal edged for receiving a yarn and retaining means movable with respect to the front end to occlude at least one of the radial channels to hold the yarn in the channel.

Abstract: A ball of hand knitting yarn is formed by winding the yarn in an overlapping constantly progressing angular winding to form a partial sphere, thereafter continuing the winding by applying a plurality of turns of said yarn in substantially parallel circumferential turns about substantially a central equator of the ball and subsequently finishing the winding with a plurality of overlapping progressively angled windings so as to hide the circumferential turns.