Copying a Commercial Yarn
Copying a Commercial Yarn
Analyzing commercially spun yarns to recreate their properties with handspun
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This is a recording from a live virtual workshop. The footage was recorded and edited, and is now available for unlimited viewing.
Level: Intermediate (Able to spin a singles yarn continuously, ply singles together, and basic control of diameter of spun singles)
If you have any questions before or after taking the workshop you can contact Alanna via the contact form here.
Drop spindlers, wheel spinners and electric spinners are all welcome.
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Description:
Handspun yarn was spun to match the qualities of commercial yarn to use for a commercial pattern.
Now that you've mastered the basics of spinning and plying you might be interested in creating yarns that can be substituted in patterns written for commercially spun yarn. In this workshop, Alanna will walk you through how to analyze the properties in a commercial yarn and copy those qualities in your handspun. The techniques and topics covered will include:
- How to measure twist in a commercial yarn
- How to control yarn diameter more consistently
- Understanding the term grist and its impact on your yarn/pattern pairing.
After taking this workshop you will be able to select a commercial pattern and copy the recommended yarn for the pattern with your handspun yarns.
Materials:
Yarn making tool: (working spinning wheel, electric spinner, or drop spindle)
Spinning wheel oil (for spinning wheels and electric spinners)
1 empty bobbin with leader
Index card (white if using colored wool/fiber, colored if using white fiber for ease of seeing)
A length of commercial yarn you would like to analyze and copy (about 2 feet long)
A length of handspun yarn you spun a long time ago/beginner handspun (about 2 feet long)
One length of 2 separate yarns, one a dark and another a light colored yarn (high contrast like black and white or complimentary colors like red and green will work, about 3 feet long)
A small piece of masking tape
Sharpie marker
Ability to print a handout prior to taking the workshop
1 oz BFL humbug top fiber or equivalent combed top with multi-color striations (link with example of desired fiber type)
Ruler to measure 1”
*Optional* Magnifying glass for observing yarn properties
Have a question about the workshop? You can submit your questions below and Alanna will get right back to you.