PLY article index

This article describes how to create a boucle-like yarn by making a cabled yarn. It discusses the wheel setup, suggested materials/fibers, spinning the single, spinning the first ply, and spinning the binding ply.

This article explores creating a boucle-like yarn by using the idea of differential shrinkage, which is what happens when fibers react differently when washed, some shrinking more than others.

This article explains how to create cloud boucle, a light and airy yarn with a beautiful feel against the skin. Instead of loops formed by a buckled single, the fibers spun aruond the core are buckled and bound in place to form airy puffs.

This article explores which longwool breed works best for making a boucle yarn: Bluefaced Leicester (BFL), Romney, and Wensleydale.

This article explores creating a boucle yarn by using silk not just as the core or binder but instead as the wrapping yarn.

This article provides the information to spin the yarn used for the soap bag project included in this issue. It uses hemp to create a boucle yarn.

Knitting pattern for a soap pouch made from boucle yarn made from hemp. This would make a great gift!

This article explores creating a boucle yarn by using horsehair, which is a slippery stiff fiber with a staple length of about 2 feet.

In this article, the author takes up the challenge to spin a true boucle on spindles. It covers the trick to tensioning, wrapping and sliding, and how to manage all the elements using only two hands (when it feels like three would be better).

This article explores the possibilities of weaving with a boucle yarn and provides several options for how to incorporate this yarn into your weaving projects.

This pattern describes weaving a blanket made out of boucle yarn. It discusses preparing the warp yarn and choosing the weft yarn, weaving the blanket and finishing the project.

Weaving pattern for a winter hat that uses a smooth plied warp yarn and a boucle yarn. Provides calculations to determine your warp and weft measurements based upon the size you want to make and the yarn you have.

Nervous about spinning circles? PLY readers give you tips and tricks for getting started.

A brief overview of what defines a bulky yarn.

Spinning a bulky yarn once you’ve learned to spin fine isn’t as difficult as it may seem. This article offers tips on using your existing skills to get back to bulky.

How do you spin a bulky yarn that will hold up? This article dives into the importance of fiber length and twist in constructing a useable yarn.

Tips and tricks to draft thicker using short forward draw, short backward draw, and long draw.

Don’t let anxiety about new techniques get to you. Use the tips in this article to release that anxious tension in your body.

Using brake band tension to affect your wheel’s take-up doesn’t always have the same outcomes. This article describes the adjustment’s different potential effects on a variety of drafting styles and wheel types.

A profile of the SpinOlution wheel company.

This article explores using a diz in both pre-drafting and inline while spinning.

The process of choosing and preparing fiber for a bulky singles yarn.

Pattern for a textured knit cowl in bulky singles yarn.

Anyone – everyone! – can spin a thick-and-thin yarn. This article focuses on the importance of staple length and drafting distance for a consistent end product.