A yarn winding mechanism for removing the treated yarn from yarn treating apparatus such as stuffer crimpers and the like. The treated yarn is wound upon a spool into a yarn winding by means of a rotating driving roll engaging the peripheral surface of the winding. The winding is normally in engagement with the driving roll but is movable out of engagement to halt the winding operation. The yarn winding is mounted upon pivoted lever means, and movement to the disengaged position is accomplished by means of a cable attached at one end to the pivoted lever means and at the other end to a rotatable drum. A drum drive means operated by a fluid pressure motor selectively engagable with the drum to rotate the drum through a predetermined arc, thus pulling the cable and disengaging the winding from the driving roll. The motor operates in response to means sensing the quantity of yarn in the exit portion of the treating chamber. A means for sensing a break in the yarn is also provided, which can disengage the winding from the driving roll and can stop the feeding of yarn into the yarn treating chamber.