Hi friends! Welcome to this tutorial where I share my personal method of plying yarn from a spindle. While there are many techniques out there, this is the one that works best for me, and I hope it helps you too. (this is not a word for word transcript)
Getting Started
Before we begin, here’s what you’ll need:
- Your favorite spindle (or one of them, if you’re like me and have several!)
- A small amount of spun singles
- Your hands—no fancy tools required!
This method works best with a fiber that has some grip to it. Today, I’m using a beautiful fiber from Germany that’s naturally grabby, making for a warm and fuzzy finished yarn.
Step-by-Step Plying Process
1. Preparing the Singles
- Remove the spun singles from your spindle.
- Wrap the singles around your hand by first looping it around a finger and then wrapping it around your open hand.
- Once fully wound, slide the loops down onto your wrist, creating a bracelet of yarn.
2. Setting Up for Plying
- Find the two ends: the one from the inside of the bracelet and the outermost strand.
- Make a slipknot with these two ends and attach them to your spindle.
- Start spinning in the opposite direction from how you originally spun the singles.
3. Plying the Yarn
- Hold the two strands together and let the twist distribute evenly as you spin.
- If needed, gently guide the twist so that the yarn plies consistently.
- Wind the newly plied yarn onto your spindle and repeat until all singles have been plied.
Finishing the Yarn
1. Making a Skein
- Once all the yarn is plied, remove it from the spindle.
- If you don’t have a niddy noddy, use the old-fashioned elbow method: wrap the yarn around your forearm to measure out a small skein.
2. Setting the Twist
- If your yarn has extra twist, give it a quick flick or a gentle shake to distribute it evenly.
- Soak the yarn in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes to set the twist.
- Squeeze out excess water and hang it to dry.
Tips & Encouragement
- If you’re new to spinning, don’t stress about perfection! It’s all about practice and enjoying the process.
- Your yarn’s characteristics (twist, thickness, and texture) will determine its best use. Sometimes, the fiber itself will tell you what it wants to be.
- Spinning can be addictive, and it’s easy to fall down the fiber arts rabbit hole! Enjoy the journey and explore different tools and techniques at your own pace.
Join the Spinning Community!
Are you taking part in a spinning challenge? I’m currently spindling for 100 days, leading up to the Tour de Fleece! Whether you’re just beginning or have been spinning for years, I’d love to hear from you.
Leave a comment below: Are you new to spindle plying? What projects are you working on? Need any extra help? Let me know!
If you found this tutorial helpful, consider subscribing to my channel or blog for more fiber arts content. Let’s grow together—my goal is to reach 200 subscribers, and I’d love for you to be part of that journey!
Happy spinning, and may your yarn bring joy to your hands and heart!
Until next time,
Doll from Doll Can Create
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