Winter 2025: Long Draw
This winter let’s talk about woolen yarns spun from long draws. We want to fill this issue with all the different long draw techniques around: point of contact/supported/American, English/double draft, unassisted, and from the fold. Can you tell us how each works? Which creates the loftiest yarn? Are you able to help spinners work with the wheel they have, no matter the drive system, to spin long draw? What about spindles and long draw? Which is best and what should a spinner look for? Charkhas? When spinning long draw, how do you change your yarn’s diameter? What about getting more consistent? What about plying and finishing? How do you do it and how important is it to woolen yarns?
Conventional spinning knowledge tells us that woolen yarns are not as strong as worsted yarns, that they abrade quicker, that they don’t show stitch patterns as well, so let’s do some tests and see what’s true and what’s not. And if these things are true, how true are they? What about fiber preps? What impact do they have in the final yarn? Does it matter if we use a rolag, a batt, roving, or a puni? Let’s do all the tests and compare all the things!
Of course we need some projects featuring these light and lofty yarns too. Do you have a design in mind for a warm winter sweater? A spindle-spun woolen shawl or cowl? What about crocheting with woolen yarns?
We want to hear from you about all of this and anything else you can think of!
Article and project proposals due by December 1, 2024.
You’ll hear back from us in January 2025.
Final articles, samples, and projects due by June 1, 2025.
The last few mood boards are here:
Autumn 2025: Plants
Summer 2025: Tension
Spring 2025: Hue
Winter 2024: Care