APPLE LEEF FARM, LLC

Fiber Shop  ~ Working Farm

The TAO of TWIST ENERGY in YARNS

This class is designed for the advanced beginner on up to experienced spinners.   It is for anyone that would like to improve their plying skills and really learn to make twist work for their yarns in a variety of ways (yes, even unbalanced twist!).  You will learn how to make wonderful plied yarns that will work for you, and how to even bend the rules a little.  You will also perfect your skill at spinning yarns that meet project goals in both size and performance, plying with confidence and purpose. 

You will need to know the basics of two plying, how to set up your wheel and work on your various whorls.

Things to bring: 
notebook and pen or pencil
3x5 index cards
gallon size ziplock bag, with washcloth
towel
spinning wheel
lazy kate (preferably tensioned)
4 bobbins
small sample niddy noddy
About 3 - 4 ounces of your favorite staple spinning fiber
1 - 2 ounces of a nice variety of spinning fibers from your stash, protein, cellulose, synthetic, bring it on!
Bring any yarn you have had plying problems with
Bring any of your singles that you want to sample

COST - Introductory cost $50 for a full day

I.                FIBER ANATOMY

A.    Structural differences that affect twist

II.              WHY SAMPLE?  CONTROL CARDS…

A.    Single control:  S vs. Z, Twist vs. Size and Hand

B.    Finished yarn size: spinning for size, and gauging

C.    Finishing twist, control and balance

D.    Wet finishing and why

E.    How twist affects design options in spinning

III.            2 PLY STRUCTURES

A.    Over twist, how to correct

B.    Under twist, yarn dormancy, how to correct

C.    True Balance and what this means

D.    How to put poorly plied yarns (Energized yarns) to work in various structures

IV.            3, 4 AND MORE PLIES

A.    Reasons to ply more than 2, form and function

B.    Managing the singles:  hands and tools

C.    Navajo plying

D.    Cabled yarns

V.              PLYING FIBERS THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER

A.    Fibers that vary in ply size and/or twist

B.     Plying fibers of different fiber type