A study of two plies
I’ve been spinning like crazy lately! Knitting: meh. Spinning: whee! I’ve been practicing making a smooshy two ply yarn, with varied results.
Pigeonroof Studios superwash merino in Vintage Blue, 102g, 185 yards.
I love Krista’s yarns and fiber. I have two more braids of her fiber in the stash, and they’re the prettiest things around!
I became very used to spinning really thin yarn when I made the Funky Carolina sock yarn, so this is practice in spinning something thicker. I did pretty well with this - it’s worsted weightish. And pretty. That paw is Silver, making her entrance. I can’t take photos of yarn without the kittehs getting involved.
Pigeonroof Studios superwash merino in Nightshade, 100g, 180 yards.
So when I spin, I have a 50/50 chance of producing crap. This is crap. The fiber is great, more Pigeonroof Studios, but the spinning is awful. I tried to spin the singles tightly so that it would look extra smooshy when I plied it, and the singles had little corkscrews in them. I figured the coils would go away when I plied it (when some twist is removed from the singles), but they did not. Yuck.
Hello Yarn BFL in Insect Wings, 140g, 156 yards.
This is the February shipment of the Hello Yarn fiber club. BFL is like buttah. I heart it greatly.
I think I’ve mastered the art of two plies, and I’m ready to move on to something else. Maybe adding a ply? Spinning a soft single? I bought a Spin Off magazine last week, and it’s full of cool techniques!
There’s also been some knitting - I picked up the Phyllo Yoked Pullover again. I’m going to MDSW in a couple of weeks (yay!), and I thought I could maybe finish this in time to wear in the cool MD weather. When Blackie isn’t sleeping on it, of course. I’m about halfway finished with the waist increases and then I’ve got both sleeves to knit. Can our brave knitter conquer miles of stockinette in fingering weight yarn? Stay tuned!
RSS
I think if our brave knitter has mastered that much spinning, fingering weight knitting is peanuts! These yarns are lovely. I couldn’t see why you said that middle one was crap. Looking forward eagerly to finished pics of the phyllo. I wish I were going to MDSW!!! Stitches West doesn’t seem like half the fun.
Your handspun is gorgeous! I’m very impressed.
oooooohhhhh, purrrrdy! I esp. like the Hello Yarn BFL! Yumtastic!
Your spinning looks great. I really like the Insect Wing!
Your yarn looks fantastic! I love the “insect wings” especially — those colors . . .
I need to get back to my spinning, and indeed have decided that I’m not going to buy yarn at Maryland, but I will have a small fiber budget . . . maybe we can shop together! :D
the BFL is beautiful! I love the colors. Looks like your wheel has been getting a workout!
I’m hoping the weather in MD is like last year - warm! My phyllo won’t even be close to done…
I’m betting the weather on MDS&W weekend won’t be cool. It’s supposed to be 75 degrees this weekend, which probably means it’ll really be 80. And we still have two weeks to go. I’d bring something for warm weather, too.
I have those wierd corkscrews that appear when I tightly spin singles as well. I’ve found that using a tensioned lazy kate to hold my bobbins when plying helps alot. Also, I use my forward hand to control how far the twist goes up the singles as I ply, and then let the individual singles run between different fingers on the back hand. If I curl my hand around on it, I can add extra tension and stretch those curlies out before the twist comes down that far and twists the curlies up into the yarn.
Did that make sense? The only issue with this method is that you end up with very tightly twisted yarn and it definately needs a strong wash and whack to finish it before you can use it. But, so far I have not had any yarn that I plied this way bias in the knitting, so wash and whack it is.
I’m on a stockinette-garment-in-fingering-weight slog myself; it’s taking forever (mostly because I keep ripping inches out to “improve” things), but I think it will be worth it in the end. And even if it’s too warm for your sweater during the day, it’ll be perfect for those cool spring nights!
Love the handspun! I totally covet your Vintage Blue hank.
What great spinning! The Insect Wings looks faboo. I just finished a Zeebee out of mine, with plenty left over–I will have to show you next week.
I know just what you mean about the 50/50 chance of good spinning, I always have these expectations for my yarns (which is crazy for me, since I don’t have a very advanced understanding of fiber properties!). I’m rambling on and on to say, I think all three of your yarns are so pleasing, and maybe in St st or garter st. you’ll be delighted to find out that you are producing a richly textured and interesting fabric! :)
Hi there! I feel like I’m in a similar place as I learn how to spin. I keep forgetting how long it took me to be a decent knitter with skills. That insect wing turned out so well! I have some a well and I’m hoping to spin it soon. Currently I’m shooting for 3ply sock yarn - those thin singles sure take a long time for me to spin!
If you’re looking for something new to try, I definitely recommend Navajo plying. It’s pretty easy and produces a really even yarn - also, you don’t need two bobbins!
Gorgeous yarn!
Your yarns look great, I am so into spinning too at the moment! My chance of producing a good yarn is not good but I keep on trying!!
Yer spinning looks like perfection to me! Also,
DUUUUUUUDE! Want. Your. Hanspun. All of it. NOW. Please say that someday you’ll want to do a handspun-soap trade!
I think all the yarn looks lovely…I would have been so proud if I could make something like that!
Spinning: I know nothing about it at all, but your yarns look amazing:) I’m going to be at MDS&W as well, can’t wait!
You are a spinning queen! Even your so-so spinning looks better than my, “I guess it will do” spinning.
Ok I’m at exactly the same place you are - Knitting not so much but spinning? So much fun! I’m about to try a 3 ply which is my first step out of the 2 ply phase so we’ll see how that goes…