PLY article index

Article discusses the spectrum of yarns from woolen to worsted and how fiber preparation and spinning method plays a part in describing your yarn along that spectrum. It also provides specific descriptions of different types of preparation (hand-carded rolags, carded roving, blending board rolags, carded batts, pin-drafted roving, commercial combed top, and hand-combed top) and drafting styles (short forward draw, short backwards draw, short forward with twist in the drafting zone, point of contract draw, and English long draw).

Article discusses the main ways of adding twist to fiber (spindle and wheel) and some of the other tools to consider for prep and yarn management.

Article describes a spinner’s chatelaine (a belt from which tools are hung for easy access), why a spinner might want to create one, how the author created several chatelaines, and recommendations for what readers might want to include to build their own.

Articles offers a tactile example of how to feel the differences between yarn weights based upon items such as uncooked pasta and sewing thread. Using that tactile reference point can help your hands recognize the diameter of the yarn as you spin and help keep your spinning consistent.

Article investigates how the direction of ply twist affects the fabric created through knitting and crocheting. Author spun yarn samples with the final spin in both Z and S twist directions (singles yarn, 2-ply, and 3-ply) and then made knit and crochet swatches, examining the experiencing while making the swatches as well as the finished swatch.

Articles explains the basics of natural dyeing with the types of dyes (adjective dyes, substantive dyes, mineral dyes, and vat dyes) and modifiers. The author then explains a process of experimenting with new dyes to determine their potential range by using various modifiers and mordants by going through the process with an example color. Article includes photos of the full range of colors produced with this experiment.

Article explores various structures of yarns (3-ply, chain ply, opposing ply, cable 4-ply) and how well a sock made from that structure wears over time. Shows results of the wear test including descriptions and photos of comparisons of unworn vs worn socks for each yarn structure tested.

Article explores the various ways to measure our final yarns and what each measurement type helps us understand about our yarn. Measurements discussed include yardage, twists per inch (TPI), twist angle, wraps per inch (WPI), and grist.

Article discusses planning a yarn based upon the purpose/project for that yarn using a decision tree and considering the various options and the end results of those options.

These five authors share how they keep track of their spinning: taking notes and videos of the process to better help recreate the yarn, using shipping tags to store samples and yarn information, using a lab-type notebook, using a reference journal, using a digital spreadsheet (and pattern visualization), and using a bulletin board to organize samples.

How do you store your fiber supplies after a spinning class? PLY readers give you tips and tricks on their best methods.

We were all beginners once. PLY readers give you tips and tricks on how to help newer spinners grow their spinning skills.

Stephenie shares her experience of spinning throughout her life and reflects upon the changes she’s gone through in spinning and in life

This article is about natural dyeing and runs through some of the plans you can grow and use in natural dyeing: coreopsis, marigold, golden marguerite, Japanese indigo, black hollyhock, Black Knight Scabiosa.

Experienced spinners know we always have to finish our yarn. Giving our yarn a warm, soapy bath helps remove spinning oils and impurities from the yarn and allows the fibres to relax and absorb the active twist in both our singles and our plies. But finishing does something else, too. It allows our yarns to bloom.

This article discusses fiber, twist, and finishing for bloom.

This article gives you factors to consider and tips for spinning a thicker yarn: fiber prep, wheel setup and spinning (takeup and speed), and using multiple plies or other plying options.

If you’re like me, a list–maker, a doer, and a planner, I’m writing this for you – a step-by-step plan to grow as a spinner.

The law of diminishing returns is the principle that after a certain point, increasing a particular input (such as more plies in a yarn) will result in progressively smaller increases in the result. Have you ever wondered how adding more plies to a yarn affects its thickness, durability, and other qualities? As spinners, we know adding plies makes a yarn thicker than the singles, and when working with 2-ply and 3-ply yarns in knitting, we notice how yarnovers in lace with 2-ply yarns open to create a more dramatic lace. We also know yarns with more plies take longer to spin and usually pill less than a singles yarn. So when is it worth adding another ply to our yarn construction? That’s what we’re going to find out!

There are no end of amazing strategies, resources, and fantastic tools that can help you incorporate small, medium, and large amounts of fibre into an even larger whole. With such a plethora of options, it’s easy to be frozen in analysis paralysis. So, in approaching limited quantities, I like to think about what will be most joyful. This lens shifts the focus away from what is missing and allows the fibre to grow through what’s most inspiring. Basically,  joy offers parameters, and what started as a sea of choice becomes an actionable plan.

Choosing a spinning wheel is a big decision for a new or advancing spinner. The wheel everyone in your spinning group has may not be the best wheel for you. Looks into various factors to consider when choosing a wheel: drive systems, treadle width, flyer/orifice position, wheel engineering, available ratios.

Spinning certification programs are an option available to handspinners for both personal and professional growth. Article provides an overview of several of these: Certificate of Excellence (COE) in Hand Spinning provided by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. (HGA); Master Spinner Certificate (MSC) program offered by Olds College; Spinning Certificate Program (SCP) and Master Spinner Program (MSP) supported by the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners (OHS).

Describes the author’s experience with the Spinning Certificate Program through the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners (OHS)

Describes the author’s experience with the COE in Handspinning

Describes the author’s experience with the Olds College Master Spinner program