A yarn feeder has a yarn feed wheel, which preferably comprises ceramic or is coated with a corresponding material. The yarn feed wheel, because of the choice of its material or its shaping, has improved long-term operation properties. The geometry and/or the material has low susceptibility to wear. This is attained by means of ceramic surfaces and/or the combination of a conical, continuous yarn inlet surface with adjoining striplike bearing faces in the yarn storage region and a continuous, that is, uninterrupted surface in the yarn payout region; the surfaces are shaped such that the yarn, along its way from the inlet region into the payout region, sweeps over the corresponding surfaces over the entire axial course. The striplike supporting or bearing of the yarn in the yarn storage region is attained by suitable shaping of the yarn feed wheel in the yarn storage region. Openings or slits or the like in the yarn feed wheel are not necessary but may be provided.