PLY article index

Spinning a soft and lofty Merino/mohair yarn for a cozy cowl.

The brioche stitch as the main component of this cowl complements the loft of the rolag preparation and thick, low-twist spinning. Knitting pattern for a luxurious brioche cowl in 2-ply bulky weight yarn.

How does twist affect loft in yarn, and how do you measure it? This article investigates how to control and assess the loftiness of your spinning.

Spinners don’t always agree on what exactly defines an appropriately airy long draw draft. In this article, compare the methods and effects of supported long draw, unsupported long draw, double drafting, and point of contact draw.

If we change how we draft for woollen yarns, should we also rethink the mechanics of plying? Read on for tips on preserving the airy loftiness of your woollen-spun singles when plying.

Finishing your woolen yarn properly can go a long way toward keeping it both lofty and stable. Check out this experiment on the effects of soaking, thwacking, temperature shocking, menacing/agitation, and washing machines.

Can you achieve loft in ramie, a fiber known for its silky strength and softness? Learn here about blending ramie with other fibers both to stretch your ramie content and to create a loftier final yarn.

Brushed yarns can create incredibly lofty fabrics because their fluffy halo traps so much hair, but there’s very little information available on how to create brushed yarns by hand. This article explores that process and what factors to consider in making your own brushed yarn.

There are good reasons for deviating from traditional methods of preparation, such as creating a light woollen prep out of two dissimilar fibers: Polwarth and Suri alpaca. Explore the carding process of this unexpected lofty blend.

Spinning an unusual batt blend (Polwarth and Suri) for loft, warmth, and durability.

This project showcases the energy and halo of its handspun yarn. Knitting pattern for mittens with stranded colorwork and textured stitches.

Perhaps an unexpected use for fleece in a spinning magazine: wool mulch! Follow this spinner/gardener’s experiment with repurposing wool that was unsuitable for spinning.

Some of the best things about being a spinner are continually developing our skills and having the freedom to create the exact yarns we want. Read about combining a smorgasbord of fibers into a light and lofty batt.

Spinning a tweed yarn from a well-blended batt using supported long draw.

Knitting pattern for a slouchy fisherman’s style hat in stranded colorwork inspired by Bogolan (African Mudcloth).

What goes into a corespun yarn that turns out light and lofty instead of dense and overtwisted? This article explores the factors that will contribute to making the yarn you want (and not one you dread) with a variety of cores and fibers.

An experiment on creating loft through steaming fiber and spinning from the fold, conducted on luscious crimpy Targhee fiber.

Spinning fiber for a warp yarn should be smooth and strong—and it takes planning. Read about creating a semi-worsted yarn from Targhee to preserve loft in the fiber while making a yarn strong enough to withstand warp tension.

Weaving pattern for a large and comfy scarf from handspun Targhee. Uses a rigid heddle loom with at least 20-inch weaving width and 8-dent reed.

A historical profile of the Romney sheep breed, originating in Kent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and exported heavily to international markets.

Have you heard the siren song of the Great Wheel? Read this article for a few lessons that eager spinners may benefit from knowing.

Four spinners share their tips for creating an ideal lofty yarn.

Carding produces yarns with unique character. They are comfy, warm, fluffy, soft, and classic knitting yarns—but there are drawbacks, too. Reference this article for all the details on using hand cards to create beautiful woolen yarns.

Whatever your favorite “flavor” of wool is, shepherding skill, dedication, and generations of preparation have brought it to you. In this article, learn about what it takes to successfully raise and shear sheep.