PLY article index

Ratios are the superheroes of the spinning wheel, but they can be tricky to figure out: let this article guide you through investigating your own wheel’s ratios.

The yarn we spin is affected by three interrelated factors: preparation, draft, and twist. In this article, follow along on an exploration of drafting styles and their effects on finished yarns.

A profile of a unique high fashion brand in Calabria, Italy, born of the desire to save the local weaving tradition and now a part of an international movement for ethical clothing.

You may recognize the names of well-known spinning competitions like Tour de Fleece, Spinzilla, or Bothwell Longest Thread Competition. What goes into participating, and how can you find a competition that fits you?

This article will help you get the most out of fiber events like workshops and retreats by preparing in advance.

Hog Island sheep, a breed original to Colonial-era America, closely resemble their historical ancestors. This article explores their history and present.

What are the best modes to achieve a good, strong, powerful yarn? Check out this experimental article on putting 5 fibers in 5 ply structures to the test, with the help of an unconventional buddy created just for this job.

Taking a circuitous route to planning and creating a yarn for both weaving and knitting.

A multi-craft adventure! This project combines small-scale weaving with plain knitting for a unique pair of mitts.

What makes for high speeds in spinning? What are its benefits? Explore acceleration in wheels and spindles in this article.

One spinner’s experience and advice when it comes to speed spinning on an e-spinner and a spindle.

Taking the time to understand your body is vital to making informed choices in your daily life and your spinning. This article investigates the impact of pacing yourself versus powering through pain—both on the body and on the yarn.

While most people think of mindfulness as something you need to set aside a specific time for, it can actually be incorporated into all aspects of our lives—including spinning! Read on to discover how these practices can intersect.

Futuristic fashion is often portrayed as integrating inorganics and synthetics, but natural fiber textiles have been one of the most important technologies through much of human history. How can we reimagine future textiles through consideration of the fibers that we have such a long relationship with?

Most people start out spinning small bundles of fiber; moving on to larger quantities can seem daunting. Let this article convince you that you can accomplish a big project and it won’t break you to do so.

This is the story of spinning yarn for a colorwork sweater, which required asking some very specific (and contradictory) things from the yarn.

Knitting pattern for a pullover sweater with charted colorwork in DK weight yarn.

If you are new to the raw fleece game, wool scouring can be intimidating. Let this article walk you through choosing a product.

The history of a uniquely styled and powerful spinning wheel born from the ingenuity of an indigenous spinner in British Columbia’s Northwest Coast.

There never seems to be enough time to get all our desired spinning done. Try these habits to make spinning a routine part of your life.

A profile of Bette Hochberg, influential designer and teacher of fiber arts.

How do you define a power spinner or power spinning? Our readers give us their best tips

How do you pamper, clean, replace parts on, and generally give your wheel the spa day it deserves? Our readers give us their best tips.

In this article, learn about what makes a single drive, flyer led (Scotch tension) wheel and how to adjust it for your preferred spinning experience.