The present invention embraces a method and apparatus for collecting linear material on wound packages including the steps of supplying linear material, rotating a first collet having a package collection region and a temporary package collection region, winding the linear material on the collection region of the first collet, rotating a second collet having a package collection region and a temporary collection region the second collet including a fixed member for engaging linear material during transfer of such material from the first to the second collet, laterally moving the advancing material along the first collet from the package collection region to the temporary collection region, contacting the linear material advancing to the first collet with the second rotating collet in the temporary collection region to engage the linear material on the member to move the linear material with it and thereby to begin collection of the material in the temporary collection region of the second collet to sever the material between the collets and laterally moving the material along the second collet from the temporary collection region to the collection region to begin package formation.