When you hold a floof of fiber in your hands you can get a little overwhelmed with all the possibilities. There are so many different spinning and plying techniques to try and there’s only so much time in the day. That’s why I decided to share my 3 favorite go-to techniques for those days when you’re suffering from decision paralysis.
Center Pull 2-Ply
My first favorite spinning technique is also one of the easiest. All you have to do is spin up a single and then wind it into a center pull ball. Then, pulling from the center and the outside of the skein simultaneously, you can ply the two ends of your skein together to create a 2-ply yarn. The two ends of your center pull skein will meet perfectly in the middle so you won’t have any annoying leftovers.
The two ends of your center pull skein will meet perfectly in the middle so you won’t have any annoying leftovers.
Depending on how the fiber is dyed, this can sometimes result in a neat barber-pole effect for your finished 2-ply yarn. You can see this effect in action in the spun sample of our superfine merino in the color Globetrotter below. Read this great article for 3 tips on how to make this plying technique even easier.
Chain Ply
Also known as navajo ply, this is another plying technique that you only need to spin one single for. Once you have your single spun, you will chain and ply simultaneously to create a sturdy 3-ply yarn. It sounds complicated, but the chain technique is exactly the same as a chain in crochet.
The benefit of this plying technique is that it keeps your colors together so that you don’t get any muddy mixes. It is also inherently sturdier than a 2 ply, and like with the center pull 2-ply, there won’t be any leftover bits to worry about. You can read more about this technique here.
Fractal
If you’re feeling fancy and you want to make an extra special skein of yarn then you should definitely opt for a fractal spin. This technique works best with fiber that has long sections of distinct color sequences. In addition to our superfine merino, it also works well with our Falkland wool Double Dip fiber.
This technique involves a little prep work before you start spinning. Start by splitting your fiber in half lengthwise. Save one half and split the other one in half again. Repeat this last step as many times as you want. Then you’re ready to spin! Starting with the biggest chunk, work your way through to the smallest chunk. Ply it all together (I recommend the center pull ply) and you’re done.
It may not look like much in the skein, but the real magic happens when you begin to knit or crochet with it!
It may not look like much in the skein, but the real magic happens when you begin to knit or crochet with it! You will notice prominent stripes in your work that get thinner and thinner as your work grows. This effect is particularly striking in shawls and sweaters. Check out this super informative article from Knitty to learn more about the ins and outs of fractal spinning.
Did you learn anything new today? What is your all time favorite spinning or plying technique? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
If you spin anything with our fiber, then tag us on social media @livingdreamsyarnvingdreamsyarn
It will really make our day!
