It's six inches square and the decorative, swirl cutout at the top lets you feed your yarn through while the lid on top keeps the ball or skein from running off on its own.
For a long time, I used a large bowl in my lap to keep things in place but it doesn't control the tension nor does it stop the skeins or balls themselves from jumping out and running free. Anyone who crochets regularly would appreciate both the look and functionality of this piece.
I like that the shape has more surface area on the bottom to keep it in place so it's less likely to move when you pull on the end of the yarn. The cover keeps protects your project from getting dusty which is a plus. The scissors in a matching color make it a unique gift option, too!