Make a 1-3 feet cord using different ply yarns
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When you get right down to it, the best answer to this series of questions is to do a series of samples. A couple of years ago, I did just that while designing a yarn for a friend (read more here). Sampling is the only way to be sure. There are lots of variables between fiber and preparations, and even more things that vary from spinner to spinner. There is no single formula that will answer these questions for all possible cases. However, there are some generalities it can be useful to know.
singles yarn
Singles yarn
First, let’s talk about structure and define our terms. A singles is, well, a single strand if you’re a handspinner. At its most technical, some define it as being a yarn which is twisted in only a single direction, so you can technically have yarn composed of multiple strands, but if there’s only one direction of twist it’s still a singles. There are contemporary yarns spun at the mill which are like this — roller-drafted down to being very fine, assembled with multiple strands, then introduced to twist. I can’t really think of a good and functional way to replicate that as a handspinner though, or of a good reason to do so, but it’s relevant to the question of what a singles yarn is.
2-ply yarn
3-ply yarn
3-ply yarn
A plied yarn is one where multiple strands of yarn — already spun yarn — are put together and twisted in the opposite direction from that in which they were first twisted. A 2-ply yarn has two strands; a 3-ply yarn has three. A cabled yarn is a plied yarn which is plied again in turn, going back the other way from that in which it was first plied (so, the same direction as the singles were spun). There are lots and lots of other plying structures, but those are the only ones we’re going to talk about right now, and we’re only going to be seeing pictures of singles, 2-ply, and 3-ply. We’re keeping it simple!
Any time you ply your yarn, you’re making it stronger. This is because twist adds strength; multiple directions of twist add even more strength. You’re also tucking some of the surface of the yarn inside, away from the elements and wear and tear. Plied yarns will always be stronger and sturdier than singles yarns. For some applications, they also bring the benefit of counteracting twist energy in the singles yarn, such that plying can eliminate the risk of bias or skew in certain types of yarn uses — like some knitting. The nitty gritty of that subject, too, we will be leaving for another day. For now, suffice it to say that more strands make a yarn stronger, and more kinds of twist make a yarn stronger.
singles yarn
Singles yarn
First, let’s talk about structure and define our terms. A singles is, well, a single strand if you’re a handspinner. At its most technical, some define it as being a yarn which is twisted in only a single direction, so you can technically have yarn composed of multiple strands, but if there’s only one direction of twist it’s still a singles. There are contemporary yarns spun at the mill which are like this — roller-drafted down to being very fine, assembled with multiple strands, then introduced to twist. I can’t really think of a good and functional way to replicate that as a handspinner though, or of a good reason to do so, but it’s relevant to the question of what a singles yarn is.
2-ply yarn
3-ply yarn
3-ply yarn
A plied yarn is one where multiple strands of yarn — already spun yarn — are put together and twisted in the opposite direction from that in which they were first twisted. A 2-ply yarn has two strands; a 3-ply yarn has three. A cabled yarn is a plied yarn which is plied again in turn, going back the other way from that in which it was first plied (so, the same direction as the singles were spun). There are lots and lots of other plying structures, but those are the only ones we’re going to talk about right now, and we’re only going to be seeing pictures of singles, 2-ply, and 3-ply. We’re keeping it simple!
Any time you ply your yarn, you’re making it stronger. This is because twist adds strength; multiple directions of twist add even more strength. You’re also tucking some of the surface of the yarn inside, away from the elements and wear and tear. Plied yarns will always be stronger and sturdier than singles yarns. For some applications, they also bring the benefit of counteracting twist energy in the singles yarn, such that plying can eliminate the risk of bias or skew in certain types of yarn uses — like some knitting. The nitty gritty of that subject, too, we will be leaving for another day. For now, suffice it to say that more strands make a yarn stronger, and more kinds of twist make a yarn stronger.
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