Do you want to have a go at hand spinning but aren't sure where to begin? Or do you already have some experience with this artform but are looking for more ideas or tricks? Well then, we are here to help because today we are going to explain how to make a two-thread artistic yarn, together with Sammie Knight, aka Koke Me Designs. An Australian hand spinner who is Highly skilled and authoritative .
Before comencing the tutorial, so as not to generate any confusion, we inform you that we are going to create three yarns. Two made with a production waste product, namely, the wool tops mill waste. like this we breathe new life into a product that would otherwise be landfill. This is great example of sustainability.
The third, on the other hand, has the particularity of Sammie having used our Colorlab bespoked dyeing service, which has allowed her to dye the Huacaya fiber into the Honey colour. You too must try your hand at creating the colour of your dreams!
MATERIALS
TWO-THREAD YARN
Wool tops mill waste
TWO-THREAD YARN WITH OUR COLORLAB SERVICE
Huacaya alpaca tops col. Honey
SINGLE-THREAD COMMERCIAL YARN AND A SINGLE-THREAD HAND MADE YARN
Wool tops mill waste
Fluffy yarn 50 g / 1.7 oz
Before going to see how each yarn is created, we want to direct you to the post on how to create a single-thread handmade yarn. It in this article, In fact, in addition to explaining how to create a single-thread yarn, we also instruct you on how to carry out the fiber blending process. We also give you useful tips and suggestions on the best way to spin.
METHOD
Split your batt into strips if desired. Predraft the carded fiber so that it is loose enough to allow the fibers to easily slip past one another.
Set up the leader cord on your spinning wheel. Pulling it through the rings & orifice on your particular wheel, I then draft out some of the fibre I’m about to spin with & thread through the leader on my bobbin and onto itself. Once this is complete you’re ready to spin!
Start peddling! (Treadling) - you want to make sure your wheel is going clockwise, this creates a ‘z’ twist in the single strange of yarn you are spinning.
Keep spinning! Try keeping your speed the same as this will help keep control & also keep the yarn even. Make sure that your drafting hand is between the fiber hand and orifice of your spinning wheel. You don't, however, have to keep your hands close to the orifice as you spin. Tip - Your non-dominant hand should be closest to the wheel and the dominant hand closer to your.
Once your bobbin on your spinning wheel is full, or you have spun the desired amount of yarn, switch to a new empty bobbin & repeat this process the same way.
When you have two bobbins full to desired amount pop them both on your lazy Kate for easy movements. I do this on my left or directly on my lap.
Set up the leader cord on your spinning wheel. Pulling it through the rings & orifice on your particular wheel, retrieve the two ends of the singles spun & thread through the leader on the bobbin and onto itself. Once this is complete you will start to treadle anticlockwise, while holding each single yarn (this creates control & tension). This will start to twist the two single yarns together to complete 1 yarn.
Once you have plied all of the yarn you will tie a knot at the end & wind the yarn from the bobbin onto the niddynoddy. This will create a large loop in a small amount of space, which you'll then tie in sections and remove by sliding it off one shoulder of the niddy.
Traditionally I will soak my 2 ply yarns to set them. Soaking/bathing yarn relaxes the fibre and sets them in place. Alternatively you can still steam the yarn, as this has the same effect.
Also in this case you will have already created the blend from which to make your two-thread artistic yarn.
METHOD
Divide the blend you have created into strips. Carefully select the strips so you are able to switch from one to another quickly and easily.
Place the wool close to you and start winding it to get at least 8-16 cm together with the primary yarn; I generally use a mohair yarn, because it is a more fibrous yarn and I believe that other fibers bind more easily to it.
Start spinning clockwise, in this way the twist will begin to wind and thus fasten the yarn fibers.
Hold the bulky part of your blend at about 90 degrees from the primary yarn. Slowly start spinning clockwise and let the fiber wind naturally around the primary yarn. Make sure you are not pedaling too fast, otherwise you risk that the yarn will not come out well.
Keep holding the fibers you need to wind at 90 degrees, this way the fibers will wind better.
There may result to be some blend strips that are thicker than others, however, don't worry, just keep spinning at a 90 degree angle.
Keep spinning until you reach the end. Secure the yarn with a knot and wind it on the niddynoddy. At this point your two-thread yarn is ready to use.
If you liked this article then we suggest also reading how to create a handmade yarn.
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