This Is Your Brain on Spinning
We all find comfort in the flow of fibre through our hands and the gentle rhythm of treadling and drafting. And it turns out it’s all because spinning does good things to our brains.
We all find comfort in the flow of fibre through our hands and the gentle rhythm of treadling and drafting. And it turns out it’s all because spinning does good things to our brains.
Much has been written about finding time for ourselves. Especially during the COVID-19 lockdown in the United States, I saw many articles discussing the ways in which one can take advantage of the downtime. “Learn a new hobby!” many suggested. “Read these books this week!” I saw, too. Back when we thought the pandemic would last a whopping two weeks, we saw people find new ways of spending their time.
Let’s face it. Comfort spinning is a thing. So I turn to my wall of tubs – 42 tubs stacked against the west wall of my bedroom, my entire stash and most of my spindles, all that remains after serious destashing and moving halfway across the United States during the first summer of Covid.
I always admire those who are able to spin mountains of yarn for a big project, ready to knit a wonderful sweater or cardigan. It is a satisfying feeling when you finish all that work, especially if you started with washing and combing the wool or even raising your own sheep.
The Spring 2022 issue of PLY hits the shelves early next month, and we are so excited because the topic of this issue is….
GOATS!
This issue has it all: amazing Angora, marvelous Mohair, and cushy Cashmere. We’ll cover processing, dyeing, prepping and spinning these fabulous fibers from our cloven-footed friends. Plus, plenty of pictures of adorable goats to lift your spirits after a long, dreary Winter.
We hope you’re as excited for this issue as we are! Be sure to subscribe (or renew your subscription) by the end of the month to make sure you don’t miss out on this issue!
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
In this quarter’s vlog, Jillian and Jacey discuss the Winter 2021 Head and Hands issue, starting with the things they love most from this issue. Jacey does some modeling of the gloves and mittens she especially enjoyed. Jillian shares the businesses that contributed to this issue: fiber, tools, and wheels. Which wheel does Jillian really want—and was actually Jacey’s first wheel? Jillian also shows off two new features that started in this issue: Take 5 and PLY Tutes. Jacey—with the caveat that she is not Stephenie Gaustad—demonstrates double drafting using several types of fiber. She also discusses some of the different types of long draw (especially point of contact), and Maggie Casey jumps into the conversation as well. And Jillian shows off the Clemes & Clemes Lock Pop, which she says replaces her flick card and is a really simple and extremely helpful tool.
Next up: Jacey shares some sneak peeks at the next issue—Goats! At the photo shoot with the goats, what did a goat run away with? You’ll also see fiber examples that contributors for this issue sent in for their articles, including the different types of Pygora in lock and roving form. Jillian shares the vendors who will be coming to PLYAway.
And finally, Jacey makes an exciting announcement, which we’re not going to spoil here…
Links to Things Mentioned in the Vlog:
Spinners Phone Stand by Twin Mommy Creations
Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em Sweater Spin with Deb Robson
Thanks to the following companies for providing wonderful fiber and tools for our magazine!
Camaj Fiber Arts
Mielke’s Fiber Arts
Jessie Driscoll
Knitter’s Pride
Ashford
Bricolage Studios
Frabjous Fibers
Rhapsody Fiber Arts
WebspunWares
Yarn Geek Fibers
Peaceful Prairie Ranch
Abstract Fiber & Yarn
Gritty Knits
Wheels used in this issue:
Kromski Sonata
Hansen miniSpinner Pro
Daedalus Starling
Majacraft Aura
Louet S-10
PLY Magazine believes that Black lives matter, as well as LBGTQI+ lives. Those most vulnerable and persecuted in our communities deserve our love and support. Please be good to each other.
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you know we also have a monthly PLY newsletter? Sign up here!
Did you get an email from us that it’s time to renew your subscription? If so, all renewals must be in by Friday, August 25, 2017, in order to get the next issue, which comes out September 10! Remember we have digital subscriptions now!
Yarns exist on a spectrum with the most intimidating (and sometimes unattainable) ones at each end – TRUE WOOLEN and TRUE WORSTED. Everything else is in between, and it’s this everything else that the Semi issue is focused on. Honestly, it’s probably what most of us spin most of the time, so get ready for an issue that’s about your yarn.
It’s packed full of information, experimentation, and opinion but very few hard and fast rules (because there are very few of those in spinning). It begins with prep: changing or drafting against the prep you currently have and, more importantly, why in the world you’d want to. Of course, there’s lots of semi- spinning, again with how, why, and what, if any, difference it makes on the yarn. You’ll want to read the illuminating articles on the actual wear and tear of different types of semi- yarns; it’s not what you might expect!
With those results in mind, what about end uses? Which semi- yarns are best for which applications? We’ve got that, too! We’ve also got Russian spindles (like you’ve never seen them before), a hot button where nobody really agrees, semis for weaving, a Guilded about spinning embroidery thread, and 2 fantastic projects, one knit and one crochet. So don’t miss this informing and gorgeous issue where we give you the information to finally decide: is the yarn semi-woolen or semi-worsted (does it rely on prep or draft?) or, and this is a new one, is it really the fiber?
The Autumn 2016 “Bouclé” issue is busy making its way to various destinations around the world. Whether you’re a subscriber waiting for your copy to arrive, or you’ve been thinking of subscribing and you’d like a preview before you buy, today’s post is here to give you a sneak peek inside the issue!
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The word bouclé is French for “buckled,” which makes sense because a bouclé yarn is bent back on itself, creating loops of yarn along the strand. This technique takes time to create and even more to master, but we think it’s a worthwhile endeavor! This textured yarn can be light, airy, big and bulky – all at the same time! Dig into this issue and brush up on your bouclé making skills with us!
We’ve rounded up the a talented group of spinners and asked them to share their insights and experiments with us, and as always we’ve got a tip jar full of helpful hints from our readers, new information on the spinning SCENE, and how to keep your spinning body happy by Carson Demers! Take a look at what you’ll get:
In every issue of PLY, you’ll find a handful of projects for knitting, weaving, crocheting and more – along with instructions for how to best spin the yarns you’ll use in those projects. Here are the projects from the Autumn issue:
We know that bouclé is a tricky technique to master, so in Tip Jar we’re rounding up the best tips from our readers to help you spin with success. Scene is full of things on the spinning scene that you’ll want to know about including new books from Beth and Jillian, fiber festivals and fantastical retreats, and a brand-new magazine for men. And don’t forget to check out our Independent Spinner page to find all the details on the products featured in this issue!
If you haven’t subscribed yet, you can do that right here on our website! And be sure to pick up a copy of this issue if you don’t already have one (or it isn’t on its way to you)!
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