One trick for a beginner is to skein off the single, as it allows any over-spun spots to ease out to either side. To put it back on the bobbin, put the skein on a swift and feed it back onto bobbins through the wheel with the tension off.
Thank you thank you! I have had an itch to try and make thread and this is such an excellent tutorial. Did they use to make finer thread by taking the shuttle cock and reversing it with the bobbin over and over?
Use a leader (a loop of wool upwards of 8" long) and use a wrapped hitch. Instead of just passing one end of the loop through the other, catching the shaft of the bobbin between, wrap the end you're going to pass the other through around the shaft several times. with the loop always inside the previous. Finally, pass the other end through it. You should be doing this anyway, but some folks just spin and throw it on. In extremis, use some sandpaper to roughen the bobbin shaft a little.
Four ply means you put four bobbins together rather than 2. You'll need to stop and skein off the receiving bobbin more often - and, of course, have 5 bobbins to start with. It's also wise to weigh the starter top into four equal weights before you start, so each bobbin holds about the same weight length of thread. If there's a lot left, use a navaho loop to turn one thread into triple-ply, and roll the ends together somewhat if you have to go into a second bobbin. Still twist it through the wheel.
You'll notice he span two singles against each other to make two-ply. You can also make cable by spinning two feeds of two-ply against each other, again reversing the direction of twist, giving you a four-thread. This can be useful in weaving, although the resulting thread may be slightly squarer than 4-ply.
Yes, folk have done this for centuries before Ashford came along! Spin one way, ply the other. I worked rope long before I spun. it's exactly the same, each level up, reverse the twist. You call it two-ply, we call it twine, reverse the twist to make rope, again to make cable, and again, hawser, although I don't thing you'll be able to knit with it!
Shouldn't be necessary - all it does is stop the take-up being at the same speed as the spin (otherwise it won't twist!) and the same is true of the ply.
@@resourcedragon You'll need one to go to a ball anyway. It's just easier to put the bobbin on a lazy kate and skein it onto the niddy-noddy, as you only have two hands. Essentially, into skein using a niddy-noddy, off skein using a swift.
One trick for a beginner is to skein off the single, as it allows any over-spun spots to ease out to either side. To put it back on the bobbin, put the skein on a swift and feed it back onto bobbins through the wheel with the tension off.
Fantastic. amazing...answered a lot of question I've had over the years
Thank you thank you! I have had an itch to try and make thread and this is such an excellent tutorial. Did they use to make finer thread by taking the shuttle cock and reversing it with the bobbin over and over?
thanks!!! from of Chile
very interesting thanks :)
Would love to see a video of how to ply on an Ashford Kiwi 2....there are no instruction on this wheel👍and I am having issues.
The twist of the ply is opposite to the spin. Just start the wheel in the opposite direction, and follow the advice above.
I'm having trouble with the bobbin not picking up the ply as I try to feed it. Any suggestions?
Use a leader (a loop of wool upwards of 8" long) and use a wrapped hitch. Instead of just passing one end of the loop through the other, catching the shaft of the bobbin between, wrap the end you're going to pass the other through around the shaft several times. with the loop always inside the previous. Finally, pass the other end through it. You should be doing this anyway, but some folks just spin and throw it on. In extremis, use some sandpaper to roughen the bobbin shaft a little.
Dear sir: do you know any tool that can help me to spit the yarn to the size i want: 4 ply to 2 of 2 ply.. Thank you
Four ply means you put four bobbins together rather than 2. You'll need to stop and skein off the receiving bobbin more often - and, of course, have 5 bobbins to start with. It's also wise to weigh the starter top into four equal weights before you start, so each bobbin holds about the same weight length of thread. If there's a lot left, use a navaho loop to turn one thread into triple-ply, and roll the ends together somewhat if you have to go into a second bobbin. Still twist it through the wheel.
You'll notice he span two singles against each other to make two-ply. You can also make cable by spinning two feeds of two-ply against each other, again reversing the direction of twist, giving you a four-thread. This can be useful in weaving, although the resulting thread may be slightly squarer than 4-ply.
Where do you put the bobbins with the singles?
Can you ply the same way on a joy wheel
Yes, folk have done this for centuries before Ashford came along! Spin one way, ply the other. I worked rope long before I spun. it's exactly the same, each level up, reverse the twist. You call it two-ply, we call it twine, reverse the twist to make rope, again to make cable, and again, hawser, although I don't thing you'll be able to knit with it!
Is there any adjustment to the scotch tension when double plying?
Shouldn't be necessary - all it does is stop the take-up being at the same speed as the spin (otherwise it won't twist!) and the same is true of the ply.
Having trouble with the tension while plying--any tips?
Keep an eye on the angle the threads come together at. Work more slowly at first so you can see.
Is there a reason for using a niddy noddy rather than a swift?
I think it's just that a lot of people are more likely to have a niddy-noddy than a swift. I can't see why you shouldn't use a swift.
@@resourcedragon You'll need one to go to a ball anyway. It's just easier to put the bobbin on a lazy kate and skein it onto the niddy-noddy, as you only have two hands. Essentially, into skein using a niddy-noddy, off skein using a swift.