Nostepinne

The nostepinne, also known as a nostepinde or nøstepinde, is a tool used in the fiber arts to wind yarn, often yarn that has been hand spun, into a ball for easily knitting, crocheting, or weaving from.

In its simplest form, it is a dowel, generally between 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) long and most frequently made of wood, around which yarn can be wound.

Decoratively and ornately carved nostepinnes are common.

[1] The top of the nostepinne sometimes incorporates a notch or a groove which allows one end of the yarn to be held secure while the rest is wound into a ball.

These center-pull balls are called "cakes" because of their short, cylindrical shape.