How much twist?

modelwidow · How much twist?

I actually picked up my new drop spindle last night, and what do you know, some of that fluffy stuff actually looks like yarn now Laughing

well sort of Wink

I was wondering though, how do I know how much twist I need (sorry if this isn't the technical way to put it), obviously too little and the yarn pulls apart - but how do I tell if it's enough or too much?

Sprite64

Hmmmm I'm no expert so hopefully someone else will come along soon! Mine is twisty enough that iif you let it sort of go back on itself it will twist together (sorry - crap explanation) - sort of like its plied? I've just been doing it enough that it feels strong - probably totally wrong haha!

n

More than you expect is the quick answer.
Remember that you will take half the twist back out when you ply it, so you aren't aiming for something which looks like yarn, you are looking for something much more tightly twisted than that. If it looks like yarn, and you aren't going to leave it as a single, it's too loose!

Jane taught her nephew and niece to spin at the weekend... there are pics on her blog.
I though the analogies of the mouse and the spring were interesting.

n

probablyjane

The thing I've also learned is that the thinner the single, the more twist it needs to hold together and when I first started wheel spinning I was much more likely to over than under spin as my hands couldn't keep up with my feet until I realised that I could always treadle slower...

Sometimes my light comes on slowly.

modelwidow

Thank you.

I understand what you mean Sprite, and I was worried about over twisting so n has made me feel better about that.
At least I don't have to worry about co-ordinating my hands and feet Jane - getting the two hands to each do their own thing is bad enough. Lovely to see your niece and nephews yarn.

modelwidow

Just had another play, and am now wondering, what if I did want to leave it as a single - could I do that? would it be ok? Can it still be knitted up alright? I know I am supposed to 'set' it ? I've read about plied yarn being more balanced, but I am not sure I understand what effect that would have Embarassed

Gosh I feel lost with this Sad