In the Loft issue (Summer 2022), for the Bogolanfini pattern (page 88), one of the charts was cut off during printing. For the Spindle and Shelling Peanuts Together chart, there should be two more columns on the left side (41 and 42). Updated chart below.
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
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https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.png00Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-09-16 10:31:062022-09-16 10:31:07Correction to the Loft (Summer 2022) Issue
The pandemic gave me the perfect opportunity to achieve a lifelong dream to make my own wool shirt. Since I raise sheep and have a lot of fiber available to spin, I decided to use handspun wool.
The first thing to decide was what the fabric design would be. My dream shirt just had to be plaid. I wanted a simple pattern with larger blocks of color and I wanted to use what I already had. I had a beautiful natural chocolate brown Shetland roving and a large quantity of white roving available. I also had a huge tub of teal dye (when calculating how much dye to order for a project, decimal points really matter). Since I didn’t want the shirt to end up too dark, I decided to also include white in the fabric design. These 3 colors went into the plaid I designed for the shirt.
Once the colors, fabric design, and fabric pattern were chosen, it was time to figure out how much fiber I would need. This involved much discussion, several napkins and notebooks, several phone calls and emails to friends to check my math, stopping to spin, weave, full asample, and finally adjust my calculations yet again. I do think rocket science would be easier. Nervous, I decided to add an error rate to my calculations so I would spin enough to make some extra fabric. Besides, who wouldn’t like extra custom-made wool fabric?
With calculations done, I prepared all of my fiber and set to spinning on my Kromski Symphony wheel. I chose to ply my yarn to make a stronger yarn for weaving. Over the next two months, the mountain of finished skeins grew and grew. I kept a tally of the yardage of each skein as I completed it so I could track my progress towards my goal. My Symphony is a real workhorse, so each skein took an average of 1 hour 35 minutes to spin. It took an average of 44 minutes to ply and skein each ball. All told I spun 13,095 yards or 7.44 miles of 2-ply yarn. My wraps per inch (WPI) for the plied yarn was 22.
With the spinning all done, it was time to dye. The brown would stay as it was, but I needed to dye just slightly more than half of the white to teal. My dyepot could hold two skeins of yarn and I had nineteen skeins to do.
The next step was to warp the loom. My loom is a Paxton 4-shaft floor loom. As I was warping, I deliberately mixed up the different dye lots, using one strand of this dye lot and the next strand another dye lot to disguise any dye lot differences. This blending worked astonishingly well and added a beautiful depth to the teal. My loom has a sectional beam allowing me to warp in 1-inch segments, which were then put on the loom.
Once the cloth was woven, it needed to be fulled. Fulling is the process of felting or partially felting wool fabric to make it more stable. This process wasa lot of work as I chose to do the feltingby hand because I was concerned the machine would felt thefabric into a ball. This process is done by wetting the fabric with soap and water and squishing and rubbing it repeatedly to make it felt. In total the squish and rub process took 5 hours.
Once I thought it was felted sufficiently, I sewed it onto a wooden frame under tension to dry. I had done some research about the historical fabric finishing techniques and found that fabrics were stretched and hooked onto a frame and left to dry. I had a frame made to fit my fabric and stitched the fabric to the frame (instead of hooks) to stretch the fabric while it dried. The frame allowed me to lean the whole piece against the wall, protecting it from accidentally being walked on as it was laid out to dry. This took 2 hours! The whole fullingprocess would have been more fun with friends like the “waulking the wool” parties depicted in Outlander. Darn the pandemic.
When the fabric had dried, I discovered it was thicker than planned. This meant it was much too thick to be made into a shirt. I then had to rethink my project and started looking at different patterns. I decided the heavy fabric would work very nicely for a cozy winter parka, so I found a pattern to use. Before I could cut the fabric, I had to assemble the pattern; it took me 2 hours to tape together the sheets and cut out the pieces. I was then ready to pin the pieces to the fabric. Since the fabric was a plaid, it was necessary to take extra care to make sure the plaid lines all matched up on the different pieces. If the plaid lines were not matched properly, it would be very obvious in the finished jacket. This took extra time as I had to pin the layers of the fabric together, aligning the plaid lines in the separate layers. Then I carefully placed the pattern pieces. Once the outer fabric of the jacket was cut, I pinned and cut out the silk fabric for the lining.
Once all the pattern pieces were ready (both outer fabric and lining), it was time to start assembling the coat. I learned a lot about sewing this project and how to do things I had never done before. The biggest thing I learned how to do was match plaids around the coat. This was a real challenge and required a lot of double checking that I’d done it right. I also learned that lightweight silk fabric is no fun to work with and when in doubt pin more until you run out of pins. My favorite thing I learned was how to do inset pockets correctly. I love that they are completely finished and they are wonderful to use. The coat was hand finished by hemming and sewing on toggle buttons. Once all the machine sewing was completed, the coat was pressed.
To finish the hood, I wove a faux fur band on an Inkle loom with 100 percent wool yarn. The fur is made from 100 percent Romney wool locks shorn from my flock that were hand knotted into the weaving. This makes a very durable but flexible band that is finished so it can be sewn onto the hood. For washing, this will be removed and washed separately if needed.
Over the course of this project I kept track of the hours I spent planning, spinning, dyeing, warping, weaving, fulling, and sewing. All together, I put just over 222 hours into this project! I used over 13,000 yards of yarn and made and used 5.25 yards of fabric.
Even though I didn’t end up with what I had planned at the start of my adventure, it was an amazing process. I learned a lot starting the project right from the basic materials. My advice to others;don’t be afraid of big projects. Enjoy the process. Be flexible in your plans; sometimes things just don’t work out as planned. And finally, be excited to stretch yourself and your skills.
Rebecca Harkins is a fiber artist and shepherd with more than 15 years experience. She raises Romneys and Merinos and enjoys using their wool in her work. She also enjoys teaching and writing about fiber arts. She dyes, spins, felts, and weaves the wool from her sheep, making beautiful tapestries, afghans, and garments.
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
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https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Harkins-4.jpg20401520Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-09-15 08:00:002022-08-21 14:59:46The Story of a Coat
There’s really something exquisite about a habit. That morning dog walk, cup of coffee, or the cookie we eat after lunch – life is full of delicious, everyday activities. For many spinners, spinning the same vanilla kind of yarn becomes so automatic that one day you may long to break out and try something new. Or you can’t see the point, because this is the only kind of yarn you’ll ever use. Worse, now that you’ve spun the same kind of yarn for so long, you fear this is it – you can’t make anything different. So why mix it up?
Lots of my handspun mix ups to keep myself stimulated.
It’s good for you intellectually. Research shows that learning new things, including hands-on, flow activities like spinning, can help develop new neural pathways in our brains. There’s some indication this can prevent dementia, depression, and all sorts of other health concerns. So if you’re a long-time laceweight Merino spinner, spinning that bulky crunchy longwool might be like eating more fibre or a daily constitutional. It’s worth pushing yourself. Keep those neurons firing and stay healthy and active.
It might get your body moving! If you’ve long been a single treadle, Saxony spinning wheel spinner, you’re likely not using one foot as much as the other. A double treadle wheel might be worth exploring. If you’re always spinning sitting down, a hand spindle might help you move your shoulders and arms in ways they need to stretch. A walking wheel can help you put extra steps into every day without going outdoors in bad weather. There are lots of ways to stretch and move while also continuing to spin. Spinning may not be a high-intensity workout, but keeping moving, in all directions, can be good for us at any age.
It improves your mental health in small ways. Really! No kidding. A change is as good as a rest, and all those other clichés. Sometimes, grabbing a hand-dyed braid in bright colours can be just the stimulating pick me up you need to feel more joy in the dead of winter. Colour has that power, when used carefully. Other times, a seemingly endless run of cream-colored crisp Texel hand-carded rolags might provide just the soothing texture you need to calm down during trying times.
It meets specific goals. There can be little more satisfying than creating something, by hand, from start to finish. Sometimes I meet spinners in a rut who successfully spin small batches of yarn but cannot graduate to sweater-sized quantities. Or they churn out factory-sized quantities of uniform yarn but at the wrong weight or using the wrong fibre for the job at hand. Figuring out what you really need and then changing your spinning to meet that goal can be a game changer. For instance, what if you really need a warm, brown, hardwearing pill-free sweater for hiking and working outdoors, but you only spin 4-ounce braids of Merino pink hand-dyes? It’s time to help yourself meet those goals! Change your usual activities and start to spin a naturally brown medium or long wool instead.
It gifts us with novelty. If you’re struggling with the same-old, same-old in other parts of your life (hello, pandemic blues), it’s okay to change it up for no reason at all. Not to learn something new or for a specific project or even because you’re actually feeling unwell in body or mind. What if you just want to play? Enjoying a new exploration – in processing fibre, dyeing, colour blending, technique, spinning tool, whatever – can help address that need for “new new new” that our society often thrusts upon us. Your values may not align with that of fast fashion, but sometimes we still yearn for a treat. Surely a little packet of exotic fibre – yak or qiviut, anyone? – or a stint of spinning cotton, flax, or hemp might change up a habitual wool spinner’s routine.
It meets others’ needs. Often, we break out of habits not because it’s good for us but because it’s good for others. In other words, they need us. For instance, your local school needs woollies to hand out for children who come to school without warm clothes. This calls for some warm mitts and hats in a hurry – perhaps in superwash wools or down breeds that won’t felt on the playground. Since you’re a spinner, you can work to meet that need, whether it’s a laceweight christening shawl, a chemo cap, or those mittens spun and knit in a hurry for those cold elementary school kids.
Sweater’s amount of bulky weight Rideau/Dorset cross (Heinz 57 sheep) medium wool. I spun this during the pandemic during remote schooling to try to stay calm while dealing with my twins. (It’s still a bit full of VM but it was free wool and kept me from losing it.)
There are lots of reasons to mix it up as a spinner! There’s no need to pick just one reason. In fact, you don’t have to try something different because it’s healthy for your mind, body, or mood or to meet personal goals or to try something new or meet anyone else’s needs. Instead, why not try it because it’s fun?
Mixitup3: Gray Cotswold single and multicolored odds and ends from the dye pot single, plied together – one of a kind art yarn.
Joanne Seiff has written three fiber-related books: Three Ply, Fiber Gathering, and Knit Green. She writes, edits, spins, knits, designs, and teaches in Winnipeg. See her designs on Payhip, Ravelry, and Lovecrafts.com—her designs might sing in your handspun. Read joanneseiff.blogspot.com or @yrnspinner on Instagram to learn more!
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Mixitup3.jpg7961080Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-09-08 08:00:002022-09-16 10:19:406 Reasons Why We Should Mix it Up
To sharpen my memory of any longish trip I make, I begin making a travel journal as soon as I start travelling. I gather any small items I can – sketches, photos, stamps, postcards – and write about each day. When I get home, I physically make a book and fill it with all that I have gathered. The ideas, impressions, and other items found while travelling (Japanese beer labels are fascinating!) vividly remind me of the smells, textures, and lived experience of each journey.
As a spinner, I’ve often thought about spinning a trip yarn to add to my journal but couldn’t quite work out the type of representation I wanted. However, as I sat on a train in southern Honshu (Japan), my imagination began to work, and I thought about constructing a yarn that would represent several major themes of my Japanese trips around the main idea of textiles. I jotted down the indigo dyeing and silk weaving workshops I took and the numerous textile museums and workshops I visited and let this idea “compost” during the rest of the trip. After returning home, I continued working on the idea and selected three significant Japanese textile elements: indigo, cotton, and silk as the strands for my 3-ply yarn. These themes are linked by their textile emphasis, and two of them (cotton and silk) demonstrate how foreign products can be transferred into another culture and then transformed into general cultural use and representation.
Indigo
I chose indigo because it is/was traditionally used throughout Japan. Mention indigo to anyone and images of the Silk Road often emerge in their minds. Indigo has a long history around the world and in China, documentation on its use originates as far back as 2,697 BCE. Its societal impact ranges from symbols to myths, stories, planting, harvesting, and dyeing traditions. The predominant natural indigo currently in use/used in Japan, persicaria tinctoria (formerly classified as polygonum tinctoria), was introduced from China around the 4th century CE. The composting method used to prepare the indigo leaves for dyeing was probably adapted from the Ainu of northern Hokkaido who used it for woad. As elsewhere, the current status of using natural indigo in Japan is precarious but hopeful as greater interest in its subtle colour shadings, ecological benefits and various uses becomes more known to artists, artisans, chefs, and industry.
Cotton
I chose cotton as it became a commonly used textile in Japan. Indigo and cotton are great friends in the dye pot as indigo is a substantive dye that does not require any mordants for fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, etc. Cotton, however, was not introduced to Japan until Portuguese or Chinese traders brought it in the mid 15th century. It then became a preferred textile by the beginning of the Edo period (1615-1868 CE). At first cotton was reserved for the ruling class and only later during the Edo period did it become a commonly found textile throughout Japan.
Silk
I chose silk as it is a luxury textile in contrast to cotton and has a strong historical and current presence in Japan. Silk came to Japan via China through Korea around 200–400 CE and became a strong economic and cultural component of the society. At first, as usual, it was only worn by the upper classes, but as it gained more use as a luxury fabric, rural families were permitted to start their own sericulture to help with the silk production. Japanese silk production continues today, and the workshops in Nishijin, Kyoto certainly attest to it.
My project yarn construction
This project took place over a year as I did it when I had time and when it was warm enough to dye outside (I live in Vancouver, Canada).
I spun the white/ecru cotton roving using a variety of spinning implements, ranging from portable (a takhli and Russian support spindles) to less so (an Indian book charkha) and, finally, an Ashford Joy spinning wheel. I spun the cotton Z, plied it S, and maintained a pretty consistent 18 WPI. I finished the cotton yarn by simmering it in a pot of water for about half an hour. I then let it cool, rinsed it, and air dried it.
During the summer, I set up an indigo dye bath using Indian indigo or common indigo (indigo tinctoria) from Maiwa as I couldn’t access the Japanese pesicaria tinctoria (formerly polygonum tinctoria). I made a vat reduction using thiourea dioxide and lye for the dye. I had no problems with the vat and, as usual, the magic of cotton turning from tan to green-grey-blue to true blue was exciting.
The Nishijin area in Kyoto is a place where I can spend days happily getting lost as I try and find my way from one amazing textile museum/store/workshop to another. Just a few of the ones I sampled: Fureaikan – Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts, Nishijin Textile Center, Orinasu-kan Museum, Kodai uzen-en and Gallery. I took a workshop at the Tsuzure-ori weaving studio. After this varied viewing, participating and some reflection, I decided to include in my yarn some spun silk thread bought at the Nishijin Textile Center to acknowledge the role of industrialization in silk weaving.
My Japanese travel yarn is now complete and I have a spun physical memory to remind me of these different textile themes. In the future, I will make other travel yarns depicting other Japanese travel elements, but I’m happy to have my first one based on textile themes. With some of this yarn, I’m going to make a small woven coaster and place it in my travel journal along with a picture of a cup of tea! What travel yarns could rise from your journeys?
Joanne Nakonechny likes spinning – 10 years of it – and travelling. New ideas of yarn intrigue her: What if I thought about music as colours? What about ideas as different types of spinning material? What if. . . These are the questions that keep Joanne spinning; oh yes, and her stash!
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
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words by Jacqueline Harp | photos by Susan and Patricia Harp
If you want to reach another level in spinning fibers, check out a farm blend roving! Farm blend roving is a woolen preparation made with two or more types of fiber. Typically available in small batches, it can be either hand processed or professionally milled. What makes it special, however, is that it comes from small fiber farms, making it a truly artisanal spinning fiber. It provides a fiber adventure that varies from year to year and place to place. Let’s look at farm blend roving from four different farms, and experience the smorgasbord of fun and delight for the adventurous handspinner.
Let’s Meet Our Farmers
This article would not be possible without the generosity of the four shepherdesses who produced the rovings we are enjoying here today. It is important to recognize that each braid of roving represents the hard work and creativity of four women who are dedicated to the care of their fiber-producing animals.
Arlene Vasquez of Wild Wool Farm LLC, Tacoma, WA. Because Arlene has a passion for heritage breeds, she raises many sheep breeds: Navajo Churro, Icelandic, Jacob, Border Leicester, Lincoln, Wensleydale, and Black Welsh Mountain. Her farm blend roving is a splendid combination of color, sparkle, and softness. Incredibly, her roving contains seven different fibers: Navajo-Churro, BFL, Merino, milk fiber, Angelina, and sari silk. The soft, downy undercoat from Arlene’s Navajo-Churro sheep – a dual-coated, rare heritage breed – lends a hint of resilience and elasticity to the blend.
Heidi Dennistoun of Dennistoun Farms, Arlington, WA. Heidi raises a flock of Border Leicester sheep. She hand processes much of her own raw fleeces whenever time allows. Her farm blend roving is a cheerful mix of natural chocolate brown Border Leicester and bright red Firestar. These fibers are highly lustrous, making a very glossy and glitzy blend.
Jami Beintema of Cooke Creek Sheep Company, Ellensburg, WA. Jami raises a flock of Texel, Border Leicester, and Coopworth sheep. Jami is a resourceful shepherdess, fiber artist, and certified wool classer who can find a use for almost every part of her sheep’s fleeces. Her farm blend roving is elegantly indie dyed with multiple shades of purple. The wool from two different sheep breeds are blended in this roving: Border Leicester and Coopworth. These sheep have many fleece traits in common, allowing this blend have a generous staple length (over 4 inches) and a soft yet strong handle.
Sheri Powers of Wind Dance Ranch, Ellensburg, WA. Sheri raises a flock of Border Leicesters, Bluefaced Leicesters, and Gotland sheep. Her farm blend roving is beautiful, plush, and naturally cream colored. All four sheep breeds found in Sheri’s flock are featured in this wool blend. The roving has a subtle, satin-like glow, and it feels luxuriously thick when squished.
Roving (l-r): Arlene, Heidi, Jami, Sheri
Spinning the roving
I spun Heidi’s, Jami’s, and Sheri’s rovings in the same manner from start to final yarn. I pre-drafted each roving to give me more control over the fibers. I spun the rovings woolen, using a long, backwards draw. I used the slowest ratio (5.5:1) on my spinning wheel to spin the singles to avoid overtwisting the yarn. I then plied each batch of singles from center-pull balls to make balanced 2-ply yarns, using a medium speed ratio of (7.5:1). I washed my freshly spun yarns in a warm, soapy water bath and rinsed them in water of the same temperature. Once the yarns were rinsed, I gave them the “whack” treatment against the edge of my sink to set the twist and hung the yarns to dry. The resulting yarns were fluffy and had the slight halo that makes woolen style spinning so wonderful!
Arlene’s roving had a large amount of texture, and I felt the best way to harness that texture was to make an art yarn. Thus, I spun Arlene’s roving into woolen thick-and-thin singles, with a short forward draw. To avoid overtwisting the yarn, I used the slowest ratio (5.5:1) of my wheel for spinning the singles and plying. I then plied those singles using a commercial silver-nylon thread with sequins. I bathed the yarn in cold water to set the twist, squeezed out the excess water, and hung the yarn to dry. The result of the spin was a fantastic flame-style art yarn. I was struck at how the color combination was reminiscent of the look of the clouds in the Pacific Northwest at the beginning of a storm, with the silver thread flashing like hints of lightning and the sequins falling like delicate raindrops throughout the yarn. It really showcased the potential of using a farm blend roving to spin art yarn.
Yarn (l-r): Arlene, Heidi, Jami, Sheri
Where do you get it?
You can start your fiber quest for farm blend roving by exploring local yarn shops, fiber arts festivals, or handspinning guilds, whether in person or virtually. You can also look at breed associations or search your favorite social media platform, such as Instagram, to find farms which raise fiber animals and contact them directly.
Farm blend roving guidelines
1. It should contain fibers from animals raised by the producer of the roving.
2. It is a woolen fiber preparation.
3. It can be hand processed or professionally milled.
4. It can be a unique mix of protein fibers, plant fibers, and/or synthetic fibers.
Tips for choosing farm blend roving
Choosing farm blend roving is subjective and depends on the needs of the handspinner.
It may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions: Is there a particular color I am drawn to? Does the texture or feel of the fibers speak to me? Have I already spun most of the fibers individually and want to try them spun together? Am I looking to try fibers that are new to me?
Be aware of the possible presence of some vegetable matter in farm blend roving, but don’t panic. It should fall out as you spin it. Also, make sure you have enough for your desired project. A farm blend roving is like a yarn dye lot – unique and irreplaceable. In terms of fiber volume, I find that 8 ounces of farm blend roving is enough for most small to medium spin projects (e.g., mittens, hat, or shawl).
Using it
There are many ways to use yarn spun from farm blend roving; however, to help me find the right project, I like to use the softness of a yarn after finishing as a guide. For example, a soft yarn can be used for next-to-the skin projects like cowls. A medium-soft yarn can be used for hats or mittens. A coarse yarn can be used for outerwear like a vest or socks.
Note: If a yarn spun from a farm blend roving does not work for your intended project, chances are high that the yarn you spun will be so gorgeous that it could be used “as is” to decorate your studio!
In conclusion
Take a step off the beaten path and partake in an exciting spinning experience that also helps fiber farmers continue to care for their fiber animals. Go forth – imagine and create handspun yarns from farm blend roving that you will treasure. Don’t forget to use the tag #inspiredbyPLY on your social media channels so others in the spinning community can admire your projects and be inspired!
Jacqueline Harp is a freelance writer and multimedia fiber artist who spins, felts, weaves, crochets, and knits in every spare moment possible. She is also a certified Master Sorter of Wool Fibers through the State Univ. of N.Y. (Cobleskill) Sorter-Grader-Classer (SGC) Program. Her Instagram handle is @foreverfiberarts
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Harp1-scaled.jpg20822560Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-08-25 08:00:002022-09-16 10:28:29The Beauty of Farm Blend Roving
Just as there is art and science in spinning yarn, there is art and science in the mixing of cocktails. My husband and long-time partner Steve has always had a passion for mixology and got his bartending certificate in 2015. It goes back to his roots in chemistry. “I find it frustrating that people separate taste from knowledge and science,” he told me. “I see it as a craft and I treat it as such. That’s what I find rewarding.”
I swear I had absolutely no ulterior motives when I signed Steve up for bartending school – I didn’t just do it so I could have a live-in bartender to hand deliver Aperol Spritzes and Rob Roys to me at my spinning wheel. Pure intentions, I promise! What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was along for the ride and I learned that my own passion for material sciences would find me perusing his class notes and practicing pours. It was a natural progression for me to start pairing drinks with fiber arts.
Here is a list of classic cocktails and the best fibers to serve with them! For those who don’t drink, there are nonalcoholic alternatives for most of the cocktails listed below. Either way, you may find you need a cupholder accessory for your wheel going forward.
Fiber
Fiber qualities
Cocktail qualities
Cocktail
Medium to fine wools
reliable go-to, 90% of what is in your stash right now
as classic as a cocktail gets, smooth, rich, boozy
If all of these manage to miss the mark and you’re still looking for the perfect drink to put next to your wheel, I’ve got a custom cocktail that might just do the trick; try the Niddy Noddy! My personal bartender – I mean husband – approves! This variation on a classic fizz combines the malty flavor of scotch whiskey with citrus and herbal undertones for a mellow aperitif with a touch of foam. It pairs well with salty snacks like cheese, pretzels, or nuts. If a niddy noddy doesn’t sound like something that will make you tipsy, I don’t know what does!
Niddy Noddy
2 oz scotch whiskey
1 oz lime juice
¾ oz simple syrup
sprig of fresh thyme
1 egg white
club soda
citrus peel to garnish
In a shaker, muddle lime juice, simple syrup, and thyme. Add 3–4 ice cubes, scotch, and egg white. Shake vigorously for 45 seconds. Double-strain into a chilled tumbler glass and top with club soda. Citrus twist to garnish.
Note: Don’t try to substitute dried thyme in this cocktail. Not only is it not potent enough to transmit the flavor, but there is nothing sexy about bits of herbs stuck between your teeth.
Egg whites are a traditional method to add a frothy texture and foam to cocktails. For those who fear raw egg whites, have an egg allergy, or are vegan, try substituting aquafaba (chickpea juice) for the egg white. You can also find information about egg safety in cocktails at CocktailSafe.
If you do imbibe, do so responsibly, friends. There’s only one wheel you should get behind while drinking and that’s your spinning wheel! Never drink and drive, but feel free to drink and draft all you want!
What cocktail did we miss that you think belongs on this list?
Bio
Meagan Condon is a librarian and fiber artist. With more than a decade of spinning experience and a focus on digital connection, she teaches spinning in person and online and live streams to a diverse community of spinners. You can follow her at luthvarian.com.
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
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https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NiddyNoddy1-scaled.jpg19202560Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-08-18 08:14:002022-08-21 14:25:49Served with a Twist
Jacey and Jillian talk about the Goat and Mix issues of PLY. Jacey spills Goat Drama, in which we learn that you should never try to work with goats in the world of magazine photography, because they will absolutely cause chaos wherever they go. She also reveals some recent Goat Drama in relation to Mohair and crimp (fun fact alert!). Jacey also demos the strength of plied yarns.
Jillian demos the EEW Yarn Counter (she’s a little obsessed) and talks about the back issues available and her current mission to index the magazine.
There is a Loft Issue preview, and chat about some great PLY Away changes.
Did you know that both Jacey and Jillian have spinning Patreons?
Watch the vlog and join in on the fun!
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.png00Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-07-21 07:58:002022-07-19 20:13:50PLY Vlog: July 2022
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
https://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/PenPlace-scaled.jpg25601920Jessica Cookhttps://plymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/plylogo-condensed-pnk-300x164.pngJessica Cook2022-06-30 08:00:002022-07-01 15:42:43Teach or Vend at PLYAway 2023!
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