Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Carded, medium to long fibers are the easiest to begin on. The reason for this is simple: you will be
doing a lot of multitasking to spin your yarn, and the last thing you need to worry about is clumpy
roving. Fluffy rolags of wool are good starters, because they will draft well, which we'll look at
next.
Spinning Terms and Techniques
Drafting is the first step to spinning. Pulling some of the fibers out from the rest is called
drafting;
giving it twist is called
spinning
. As you draft and spin, the wool stretches and moves and turns into
yarn as you know it. Whether you spin gently on a drop spindle or rhythmically with the treadle
and wheel, the twist is the difference between roving and yarn. How it is drafted and spun will
determine what kind of yarn you end up with:
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Novelty yarn.
When you're comfortable spinning, the itch to create might strike you. Subtle
changes such as the varying thickness of the yarn, to dramatic novelty techniques such as
adding in ribbon or glitter, will keep you busy indefinitely. Depending on the drama, novelty
yarns could sell for more, but they could also be sold less frequently, as they will not appeal
to so wide an audience. But it never hurts to play!
/
Plied yarn.
Spinning can and certainly often does end at just the first spin. However,
plying
it—putting a reverse spin on two or more strands to join them together into a stronger
strand—can be quite valuable. Plied yarn is stronger, more even, and more forgiving in use.
A spinning wheel makes this process relatively painless, as it will do the reverse-spin for you.
Because plied yarn makes much more yarn out of your fleece, it is likely worth the bit of
extra finishing time it will take to ply.
/
Woolen yarn.
Shorter fibers carded into fluffy rolags will spin well into woolen yarn. Rather
than spinning from a dense draft, you will modify the technique to allow for some air to be
trapped in the fibers. This makes woolen yarn light, airy, and lovely for soft garments.
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Worsted yarn.
This is the most common technique and the best for beginners. To spin
worsted yarn, you must use longer fibers that have been combed or carded—the mini combs
and flick carder discussed earlier in this chapter work very well. You will then draft the fiber
before the twist begins, flattening it as you draft. Worsted yarn makes durable, warm fabrics.
When your hank of yarn is finished, you can set the spin by soaking the yarn in warm water, then
squeezing out the water and hanging it to dry. If the yarn hangs freely and doesn't curl up or into
itself, it is set. If not, try soaking again and hanging a weight on it when it is drying.
Congratulations! Your yarn can now be rolled into skeins and sold or used for crafting.
