PLY article index

Search for a list of articles in published issues of PLY Magazine. You can search by any or all of the options: author, word(s) in the title, word(s) in the description, issue topic, or article topics. Note that the article topics search will show results of articles that fit ALL of the selected topics.

Click the article title to open the single entry for that article (which makes it easier to read the description). Click the issue topic to find that issue in the PLY shop.

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Total Records Found: 1329, showing 25 per page
AuthorArticle TitleIssue dateIssue numberIssue topicArticle topic listDescription
Rachel Anne MacGillivray Trio of Tunics: A semi- study of drape and wear Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Debbie Held Spin It! Semi-shiny: How spinning from the fold can add luster Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Amy King Spin It! Semi-sweet Cowl Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Mary Beth Temple Crochet It! Semi-sweet Cowl Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Ekaterina Gorges Semi-supported, Semi-suspended, Semi-Russian Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Susan Hector Guilded: Old Town Fiber Arts Guild Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Melanie Duarte The Semi- Spectrum Across Plies and Knit Structure Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Kara Perpelitz Extreme Semi-: When fibre type shines through Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Mary Berry Weave It! Semi- Weaving Autumn 2017 18 Semi-
Tip Jar: How do you remember what you spun and how you spun it? Autumn 2017 18 Semi- organization PLY readers give you their ways of getting and staying organized and keeping samples straight.
Deborah Robson Seeking the Source and Meaning of Irish Tension Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin-led (Irish tension), historical

Why is the bobbin-led drive system also called “Irish tension”? This article investigates the potential origins of the term in spinning history.

Jessica Cook Bobbin-led Wheels Profiled Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin-led (Irish tension), wheel selection

This article profiles Ashford, Babe’s Fiber Garden, Heavenly Handspinning, Henkys, and Louet – all makers of bobbin-led wheels – and why SpinOlution ceased production on their own model.

Jonathan Bosworth History and Evoluation of the Spindle-wheel Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led charkha, spindle wheel, historical

The humble spindle is one of humanity’s earliest textile tools. This article follows its development from Neolithic stick to complex modern machines.

Jonathan Bosworth Zen Spin Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led charkha, self-care

This article meditates on the connection between crafter and tool.

Michelle Boyd Prep It! Prepping on Point: Preparing fibres for smooth, speedy drafting on a quill wheel Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led combed top, punis, rolags, roving, charkha, spindle wheel, quills, from the fold, long draw

Quill or spindle wheels like the charkha require some adaptations to fiber preparation. This article offers advice on easier spinning from rolags, punis, roving, and top.

Stephenie Gaustad The Point: The driven spindle Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led charkha, great wheel, woolen, spindle driven

Spindle driven wheels are no less versatile than their bobbin-led or flyer-led counterparts. This article addresses best practices for spinning on great wheels, charkhas, and treadled spikes.

Jessica F. Dunlap Guilded! Aurora Colony Handspinners Guild Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led community

This article profiles a modern guild’s mission to share the craft of spinning.

Rachel Smith Spin It! Quilled: Learning on a Lendrum Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led quills

Is a quill part of your spinning toolkit? There’s a learning curve involved! This article experiments with a quill attachment on a flyer wheel.

Hannah Merritt Woods Spin It! Quilled: Learning on a HansenCrafts Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led angora, cotton, silk, wool, e-spinner, quills

This experimental article details the process of learning to use a quill attachment on an e-spinner.

Joan Ruane Spin It! Spinning Off the Point Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led charkha, great wheel, quills, supported spindles

What’s the secret to spinning “off the point”? It depends on your tool: supported spindles, charkhas, quill treadle wheels, great wheels, and flyer wheels with quill attachments all require slightly different approaches.

Natalie Redding Deconstructing the Mystery Fleece Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led double coated, down and down-like, fine wool, long wool, medium wool, fleece

Before you decide how best to use a bag of mystery fiber (don’t we all have some?), here’s how to evaluate its characteristics.

Tip Jar: How do you get the most of of your bobbin-led wheel and how do you adjust it for finer yarns? Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin-led (Irish tension), fine

PLY readers give tips for getting the most our of your bobbin-led wheel (sometimes called Irish tension) and being able to spin finer on these notoriously greedy wheels.

Beth Smith The Bobbin-led Wheel You Didn't Know You Had Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin-led (Irish tension), flyer-led (scotch tension), double drive

Do you have a double drive or flyer-led (Scotch tension) wheel, but want to experiment with bobbin-led spinning? You may be able to convert your existing wheel!

Beth Smith The Bobbin Winder You Didn't Know You Had Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin winder, bobbin-led (Irish tension), rewinding

Did you know your bobbin-led drive setup can double as a bobbin winder? This article shows you how to do it.

Amy King Bobbin-led Breakdown Summer 2017 17 Bobbin-led bobbin-led (Irish tension)

What is a “bobbin-led” wheel? How does it work and how do you spin on it?