Comments on: Question Roundup for June 12

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:53:36 +0000

So I tried the hot-cold-hot wash method (less abusive, no plunger action, saving that for next time…), and all I can say is “Yeah, Baby!”.

The hot water consisted of a sink of hot water with a kettle full of boiling water added for good measure (yes, it was very hot).

I intentionally over plied my singles in anticipation and I am pleased to report that after their treatment, they are now nicely balanced, unlike their maker.

Of course your post predated a similar article in this summer’s Spin-Off. You have your finger on our pulse. Keep it up.

Another tool is added to my spinning belt. Thanks.

Jim

By: Jen

Jen — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 12:45:45 +0000

That you so much for the informative post! And for answering some of my questions too. I’m going to look for that issue of Spin Off, I think one of the local places carries it, and then I will brave finishing the yarn I spun from some of your fiber.

Thanks again!

By: Judith

Judith — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:10:45 +0000

what a great post! re: losing twist when plying – I ply on a Majacraft Suzie (but spin on a doubleband drive wheel). The band going over the bobbin on my Majacraft is some kind of polyethylene, plastic-y substance, the bobbins are plastic as well. I would treadle like mad, let the yarn wind on and find the plies lying side by side as if they were never plied – HMMPPFFFF! Finally, some knowledgeable person told me that when you spin very fast, the plastic-y stuff heats up and actually STICKS to the bobbin, thereby preventing twist from entering. I replaced the band going over the bobbin with nice, smooth carpet warp and it plies just fine now! Who knew??

By: Kristi aka Fiber Fool

Kristi aka Fiber Fool — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:18:07 +0000

Thank you so much, Abby! It was a matter of single vs double drive and I am a hold back and feed on in one swoop plier as that was how I was taught in my class. I think I had plied in your method prior to taking that class though. I’ll have to give it another go.

By: Lisa in NC

Lisa in NC — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 02:16:23 +0000

Hi Abby, thank you so much for answering my question on Pebbleweave. I’m looking forward to reading your post about it!!! I’m going to start warping up a project meanwhile to try and get some practice. The looms I have been able to get info on for Central Asia where basically varients of the horizontal loom (ormuk, ormek?) which had a heddle and stick system very similiar to backstrap looms. I’m trying to find more documentation on them short of going on a trip to see for myself. Thanks a lot!!! Lisa in NC

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 01:32:33 +0000

Hi Abby
thanks again for such detailed and helpful information. It is much appreciated by a novice spinner. I have learned a lot from all of this information. Is there any type of wheel you would recommend for the high twists you prefer. I don’t mean a brand, just double band, bobbin driven, etc Thanks again for taking the time to help everyone else.

By: June

June — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 19:04:16 +0000

Had to bust your chops for 1 minor mistake – today’s June 11!

Re – redistribution of plying twist: When I move things from wheel bobbin to storage bobbin, from storage bobbin to plying bobbin, from plying bobbin to niddy noddy, I generally give the yarn about 10-15 feet to help balance out variations in twist. I don’t know why some wheels have built-in lazy Ks, it doesn’t make sense to me to do that.