Abstract: In a yarn tube having a yarn-supporting surface, a yarn-receiving pickup groove formed in the surface and extending circumferentially at least partially around the tube. The groove, specifically configured to accommodate both right hand and left hand yarn pickup, includes an elongated wide center section to allow proper dropping in and orientation of the yarn from both the right and left. Extending outwardly from both ends of the wide center section are elongated narrow gripping sections which insure a proper snagging of the yarn, initially received within the wide section, regardless of the direction of rotation of the tube. The wide section is of a constant width as are the narrow sections. The entire groove is of a constant depth with the groove in the wide section being of a greater width throughout the height thereof than the width of the groove at the corresponding height in the narrow sections.