PURPOSE: To prevent ribboning and enable the high speed release of a reeled package by detecting the diameter of the package during the winding of the package as well as switching the turns of a drum at the time of the package diameter approaching the proximity of the ribboning generating diameter.

CONSTITUTION: In winding a package P to a drum 11 provided with traverse grooves 13, 14 different in the number of turns, the package P is wound first at one number of turns at the starting time of winding as well as the diameter of the package is detected. When the diameter of the package approaches the proximity of the ribboning diameter, the turns of the drum is switched to the other number of turns by a switching means 17. After the package diameter passes through the ribboning generating diameter, the turns of the drum is switched again to the one number of turns by the switching means 17, thus winding the package P.