Abstract: A tube holder on a creel receives a cardboard tube with a yam wound thereabout. The tube holder is preferably equipped with a tube stop at a non-feeding portion of the tube holder and a tube end protector which is preferably connected to the tube holder at a feeding end of the tube holder. The tube end protector is constructed at least partially out of a resilient material wherein the tube is placed over the tube end protector causing it to deflect until the cardboard tube is properly located on the tube holder wherein the tube end protector resumes its normal configuration and protects the line wound about the cardboard tube from any potential defects at the feeding end of the cardboard tube.