In this study, ten carded ring spun cotton yarns were subjected to windings. Yarn hairiness, fineness, unevenness and tensile properties were then examined. Results showed that the majority of the increased yarn hairiness occurred at the beginning cycles of windings. Weight loss occurred for most yarns after repeated windings. Tensile properties deteriorated for nearly all the yarn samples after repeated windings. On the contrary, yarn unevenness was improved for most yarns after corresponding windings. To explain the better evenness of yarn after repeated windings, unevenness of yarn was divided into two parts, namely stem unevenness and surface hairiness unevenness; yarn imperfections were subdivided into two categories: the imperfections of yarn stem and the imperfections caused by yarn hairs. Specifically, a balanced opinion was given to discuss the gains and losses in quality and cost due to repeated windings.