PLY article index

Article discusses tips for breaking down a larger project on supported spindles to help keep a long-term project moving forward.

These spinners share their favorite go-to neck and shoulders project.

Article discusses blending Bluefaced Leicester (BFL), silk, and yak on a drum carder and dizzing the fiber from the drum carder.

Article describes spinning the yarn for a shawl project (also in this issue) using a blend of Bluefaced Leicester (BFL), yak, and silk, emphasizing the drape and bloom of the final yarn. Includes final yarn stats.

Knitting pattern for classic shawl constructed like a modern hap–an everyday shawl that moves seamlessly from casual clothes to business. Pattern includes full written instructions plus charts.

Chart shows how a variety of sheep breeds compare with it comes to softness by comparing micron count and crimps per inch.

Article describes blending precious luxury fibers (yak, camel, cashmere, and silk) using a drum carder to maintain the luxury qualities of those “too special” fibers.

Description of the yarn spun for the weaving project included in this issue. Fiber blend of silk, camel, yak, and cashmere spun into a thin 2-ply yarn.

Weaving pattern for a garment (to be turned into a cape) on a 4 harness loom.

Instructions for using the woven fabric created in a pattern in this issue and sewing it into a circular cape. Includes instructions for creating your pattern and sewing the fabric.

Article explains how a fleece is sorted into firsts, seconds, and thirds, defining each one and describing a project that uses all three categories. Article includes an illustration of a fleece with these areas labeled.

Article describes spinning Wensleydale locks to be used for two projects in this issue.

Knitting pattern for a cowl using a lockspun yarn and a spiral-plied yarn. Pattern includes written instructions.

Crochet pattern for a collar using lockspun yarn with Wensleydale locks.

The authors share their process of creating a project inspired by varafeldur, an Icelandic term describing an old knotted fleece-pile weaving technique. They adapted the technique to accommodate much finer locks on a smaller scale and each made a scarf. Photos show the weaving technique in action and the results of both projects.

Article describes spinning cotton for a project in this issue.

Article describes dyeing handspun cotton for a project in this issue into a deep black color, which provided a challenge.

Crochet pattern for a collar showing a series of hearts and designed with eyelets and beads using a light fingering weight cotton yarn. Pattern includes written instructions and crochet charts for the heart and edging.

Article discusses several options for adding beads to a project: while spinning, while plying, and while knitting.

A recipe for a handspun shawl: a basic set of instructions that will allow you to use whatever type and amount of yarn you have on hand and that permits all sorts of customization.

If bitter cold can be catastrophic in our modern world, imagine what cold was like without the thermal properties of modern textiles. Luckily, the right fiber, spinning, and finishing can create a stable and lofty yarn to keep you cozy. Read this article for a look at why this ancient knowledge works.

The amount of air trapped between individual fibers in a yarn is strongly dependent on the crimp of that fiber, as explored in depth in this article.

Loftiness can be tricky to pin down, even with general guidelines for evaluation. Get an introduction to the ten popular sheep breeds best known for producing lofty yarns.

From fleece selection to final spun yarns, how can we maximize loft? This article investigates the specifics of creating loft in drum carded batts.