Apparatus for winding an advancing strand of yarn into a package is disclosed. The apparatus includes means for rotatably supporting and driving a package at a substantially constant rate of speed and means for traversing a strand onto the package as the package is rotated. Drive means for operating the traversing means is provided and regulating means for periodically increasing and decreasing the speed of the drive means as the strand is traversed onto the package is included. The control means is operable in response to the regulating means to disrupt the synchronism between the rotation of the package and the traversing of the strand onto the package to thereby prevent the formation of bands or ''''ribbons'''' wherein the strand coils in the package are crowded together or ''''piled.