Chain Plying Tips, Tricks, Why and When, Slow Motion - Let's Make Yarn

If you've struggled with chain plying, knowing when it makes sense to chain ply, or why you might want to, here we go! Nothing will substitute for practice though!
Video to see the dyed top: • Finished Project Updat...
I still can't find the video I used to learn, but there are bunches!
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[@emmasmom60]

I love chain plying. I'm going to try your method next time I ply something. It looks very elegant.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

If your way is working for you, maybe you don't need to!

[@loribelmont843]

This was unbelievably helpful. It looks magical when you do it, and when I do it I look like a tangled mess. I just tried it along with the video and success! No weird bump! Thank you.. Your yarn looks beautiful.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Lori, that is awesome!

[@Zincchromeshema]

I didn't even know there was such a thing as chain spinning. I'm so impressed. I can't wait to see the socks!

[@jessicawright1656]

I learned how to chain ply just a few years ago. It's now my favorite ply method after only doing 2 ply for over 25 years.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That is awesome!

[@ritaorr766]

I had watched this earlier, but still learned a bit more on the rewatch! You explain things so precise. Thanks

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dhurd4099]

Another video saved for future reference. I have done chain plying but it’s helpful to get another spinners input. Thank you!

[@melanieo15]

Great demonstration, loved the slowed down part!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thanks!

[@MOHillbilly513]

I have watched many a video on chain plying and this has to be the best most informative one that I have watched

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you so much, Jimmie! Feel free to share it if you know anyone or groups that might find it helpful!

[@gerryivkovich1857]

You did a great job with the demo. If you can "finger crochet" , you can chain ply. Like you said, it just takes practice. Thanks.

[@lorikula8227]

I think I can learn from this video. I have always wanted to learn this technique.. Great job!!!

[@cindystoldt3476]

I love chain plying! You did an excellent demo and you're right, just practice and you eventually get into a nice little rhythm.....until your single breaks!! lol Can't wait to see the socks knit up!

[@kathycostello4104]

Thank you, Trish, for showing in slow mo how your chain ply. I think I see now how my style differs. I am going to attempt more tension at the join and less on the bobbin. As always, Love you too, Kathy

[@FiberLoveDiary]

You can do it!

[@WistfulCreative]

Yes, practice makes perfect. Very good demo!! The yarn is beautiful. Lucky knit-worthy guy!!

[@kimlyne9700]

I’ve chain plied before but your video is a great demo and gives me some ideas for tweaks I can make.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I'm not an expert or anything, just a lot of people had questions!

[@anabs_wrenandrita]

I absolutely love the chain ply, and you're absolutely right, it is all about muscle memory! I find it super relaxing :D

[@FiberLoveDiary]

We took a different kind of class last weekend, and the instructor kept talking about muscle memory. I've always believed that you can actually turn it into intuition, and he said the same!

[@Yarn_addict]

Thank you so much for your videos! I have just finished my first yarn plyed and everything it is wet finishing right now! (On a spindle)I have a wheel coming my way and can’t wait. Totally hooked 😜

[@LittleFischies]

thank you for this video!! Chain plying this has been tricky for me. And ive been sitting here thinking about how i want to blend and spin a snow dyed gradiant hank for a hat for my husband. i think i ought to practice first....lol thanks again! you are a great teacher!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@deeokeefe1602]

Thanks so much for this excellent video! I indeed struggled with chain plying, I could never tell what was being done with the left hand in other videos I'd seen. This cleared it up, and within a short time, I was doing actual chain plying! Woo Hoo! Although not that well yet (need more practice of course), but my hands grasped the basic idea and I made some decent enough 3-plied yarn. I am very grateful. You are such a good teacher.

[@maribethclark2798]

You hold the fibe like I do when I spin. The section focused on your hands was great. Thank you, I feel much more confident to practice this!!😊

[@StitchingNana]

Thank you for the great video. I enjoy chain plying on my drop spindle and now I think I need to try it on my little electric spinning wheel.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Go for it!

[@forseanearth]

Thank you! This is the best demo of chain plying I have viewed, especially for starting the chain and getting the flowing rhythm. (And you are selling me on e-spinners!)

[@thesimmeringdyepot8136]

As usual your videos are very helpful and easy to understand.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad you think so!

[@Alpine.energy.artworks]

Miss Trish. First off I love your videos. I just wanted to thank you for this video because I have successfully done my first chain ply and it is a total game changer. I loved it!!!

[@mommyo2b]

Wonderfully clear tutorial! Almost mestmerising to watch how smoothly you move while chain plying

[@FiberLoveDiary]

My husband says mesmerizing, and that it is very relaxing to watch 😂😂

[@michellelange74]

Love the chain plying lesson - every time I watch someone's explanation I learn something!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That's how I taught myself really. I just watched videos and practiced. I do think I got something out of each lesson that finally clicked!

[@iknit8b707]

Hi Trish, I’m one of those people that asked you for a chain ply video. Thank you so much for this video. I’m going to save it to my favorites and play it a couple of times before I try to chain ply and keep watching it till I can do it on my own. You make it look easy!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Just go really slowly at the beginning until you start to get the muscle memory going. You can do it!

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

Hi Trish, thankyou so much for thus video/podcast on chain plying. I'm new to the Spinning game. Just using Drop Spindles. I live the way you slowed down & your explanation & the closeness of the yarn, is going to be a great help. Thankyou so much for sharing this. Love the colours too. Happy Spinning. Take care & stay safe. Love from England xx

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

Hu Trish, yeah was really helpful, thanks fir sharing this idea Take care stay safe & well. Lots of 💘 Jen xx

[@Janet-ov7zx]

Thank you for such a clear demo. I chain plied for the first time today (newbie spinner here) and I got my fingers lassoed by the singles like a calf in a rodeo. Seeing when to get the middle finger and thumb into the new loop was very helpful. harpingJanet

[@spinfunfiber4649]

I just want to say I love all of your videos. ❤ This one in particular came up when I did a search on how to make a 3-ply using chain plying. Been subscribed ever since and recently binge watching from the beginning. You are awesome. 🤗

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad I could help!

[@sandrahageman9955]

I find chain plying very therapeutic. Great explanation of the process.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Me too, nice and rhythmic

[@Ahlathein]

Thank you for sharing this video! I have not put enough effort into chain plying to be very good at it.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

It's not a "must" or anything, but it can be really helpful if you do a colored spin and want to preserve stripes. Or if you want to turn a single into a 3 ply with no extra singles on bobbins!

[@LindseyHeine]

Thank you for showing us this technique, very helpful!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jenmqkeeper]

That's fascinating! It's like a super elongated crochet stich that you add twist to. This is my first time seeing chain ply.

[@edithmaurno348]

Thank you for sharing this. I have chain ply before but looking on how you do it it has giving me on how to improve my technique. Thank you

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bonnielundholm5535]

That yarn turned out gorgeous! The slow motion was great.

[@melaniehuhta8853]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I’m sure I will be watching this a hundred times over. My 1st attempt was really over plied. 😜

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Well, slowing down will fix that, so maybe you are all good to go now!

[@carrietreder8474]

I love the rhythm of chain plying when I really get into a groove. I didn’t know that trick about keeping tension to eliminate the bump, that will be very helpful next time I chain ply.

[@bonniemcgee6648]

The yarn is truly beautiful. 🥰🧶

[@joelwilliams5634]

Thanks for the video Trish. Stay well

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you! You too!

[@janetaultman9537]

That yarn is beautiful! I love those colors together

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you! 😊

[@jennileggate4334]

Thanks for the demo. I always find getting started tough on chain plying but once I get going it’s quite rhythmic!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I like the rhythm of it too.

[@kachsavage4047]

Great instructions, very clear. Wish this video was around when I was learning to chain ply. I had a few disasters before figuring it out properly. It's one of my favourite ways to ply now, I just love the rhythm of it.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Me too. It gets to be a little like a dance after awhile, I"m sure you know what I mean.

[@aliciawatt1184]

Yes! I finally tried this and it's my new favorite thing. You explain it perfectly. Now if only I could spin as beautifully as you do...

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Only practice! 😂😂

[@t.williams9849]

Thank for this informative video. Will have to come back to it when I get my first wheel

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Good luck!

[@sandraescamilla1849]

Thank you for slowing it down. Its so much easier to see.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

You’re welcome 😊

[@dawnuselto8777]

Love watching you spin, your so smooth and it's just a joy to see! Thanks for slowing this down so that we can see what you do. Your yarn came out so nice, I can't wait till I can spin even close to the way you do! Hope your sense of smell comes back quickly and that all of your family stays well! Take care and be safe!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I'm sure you will get there!

[@ValliDesign]

This is brilliant. I get myself in such a pickle. I'll have another go now. Thank you, heaps!

[@marie8812]

Thank you! This made perfect sense and I successfully chain plied my first bobbin!

[@sheenargh]

Perfect timing! I’m planning to chain plying my first, non-practice skein! :) Thanks for the great video!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Exciting!

[@kathymikulin9006]

You make it look so easy, we'll have to try this.

[@beverleylawton6899]

Great video...nice to refresh the technique and to see how you do it. I need more practice ...

[@FiberLoveDiary]

No such thing as enough practice!

[@pennygonzalez8772]

What a GREAT video!! Thank you! I think I can do this now 😊

[@ashleyb2083]

Okay, I have continued to fail at this many times, but I think I'll try it again with this video on. I am pretty monogamous when it comes to spinning projects, and I usually only let singles rest for as long as I have to. Buuuuut I've had a bobbin of singles I want to chain ply looking at me (taunting really) for about year. I just can't seem to get going on chain plying. Thanks for the slowed down version and showing the movements in more detail. I'm gonna do it!

[@WellWoopdidoo]

Great demo, I’ve been practicing chain plying on my drop spindle all week and keep getting the bumps! This is exactly the info I needed. :D

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I can't even wrap my brain around doing this with a drop spindle. I can spin and two ply on one, but I have never even tried chain plying!

[@tools4ewebycarolhowe496]

Thanks for sharing. Love how you do this!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thanks for watching!

[@tronald42]

Found the video I was looking for finally. Thank you

[@Sal_Pizzazz]

So well timed! I just learned about chain plying but want to get better

[@OoOlijfje]

Very helpful! Thanks so much for posting this!

[@fanciflower]

So happy you are getting better, this COVID is some scary stuff‼️ I really enjoyed this video and the finished yarn is beauteous. You are so smooth and rythmic, very zen. Thank you!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you so much!

[@dawanariley4183]

Wow you make it look so easy.

[@heidicook2395]

The yarn is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

[@dianegratcofsky6134]

Thanks for making this video, I think I finally get it!

[@CloTricots]

First comment! Happy to see you.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Happy to see you too!

[@crazeyspinner]

Great job Trish! I also make a loop at the end of my leader. This makes the beginning of plying easier.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Thank you! I have always used one. I think it makes starting slippery singles easier too.

[@copingwithyarn5455]

That is so cool that you can make your own yarn-well done!

[@ms.beatle248]

Thank you. This video helped me the most.

[@spincrochetrepeatrcc8961]

So grateful for this video! I had been wanting a closer look at your leader loop. I'm getting my first wheel soon!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wildcottageknitting]

Really helpful to see it slowed down, thanks!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendabacon1613]

This is so great. Thank you so much for making this video. You’ve made it so easy to see the movements.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@melaniereising5661]

Hope to be able to use this technique soon!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Good luck!

[@karenfowler8169]

Loved the demo!

[@susanwhaitiri9749]

Great video so easy to understand and follow thank you 😊

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Kivvrin]

Thank you so much for the demo! It is very helpful. ❤❤

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lorainew4281]

This is such a great video and explanation on the 3-ply yarn. The slo-motion was perfect! Thanks Trish!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad it was helpful!

[@creativitybytrisha6819]

That yarn came out amazing! I was wondering how to help with the bumps and now I know! Thank you!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Glad I could help!

[@karenbroussard2641]

That’s so helpful! I tried it once with a premade yarn and managed, so I’m excited to try again with one of my singles.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Have fun!

[@TRaceTK]

Great video Trish, not sure if it is how I do it; it’s been awhile. I think I will watch this again just before I do my next chain ply. I am pretty sure I don’t smooth the joint 😕 Yarn is beautiful!! Take care.

[@heatherkather653]

Awesome video! Learning to chain ply is one of my goals this year 😊

[@FiberLoveDiary]

You can do it!

[@KnittingmommyArts]

Chain plying is one of those things I still need lots of practice doing. I usually end up 2-plying from a center pull ball. I really need to chain ply more often to get that muscle memory. I think I've only chain plied about four times so far. This was a great tutorial, though, and I'm really excited about trying chain plying again while following your video.

[@amym5926]

Chain plying was super tricky for me to learn for some reason, and I’m still not sure what to do when the single breaks. But that’s kind of a plying/general skill problem in general, I guess. 😅 These are helpful tips! Thanks, Trish! I’ll have to rewatch when I’m about to chain ply again.

[@sadiesspincraft6319]

Thanks for this trish I'm gonna give it another go xx

[@colleenharlan6519]

Very excited to try this after a bit more practice just doing singles and 2-ply. You had 4 of my kids ENTHRALLED watching how you did this :) (A huge accomplishment because most of them aren't so into Mommy's fiber habits!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I'm so honored! 😂😂

[@plansandprocrastination]

Gorgeous yarn from some amazing teeeeeeeenythin singles!! Really nicely done tutorial Trish...I see a couple things that I do differently, so I shall try to incorporate them next time I chain ply. Thanks for the tips!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Oh thank you!

[@ideamissing]

This video went from, 'what even are you talking about,' to 'WHAT SORCERY IS THIS?!' really quickly! i had no idea that this technique existed and now that i've watched your hands hit the rhythm and start doing it very quickly, i'm suddenly really excited to try! thank you for posting this!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

The magic is what drew me to spinning and it never stops amazing me ❤️

[@fearthetree2014]

This is sooo hard for me! The you’ve given me hope that I can chain ply. I struggle with not getting enough spin on my singles, so they break when I’m playing.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I used to have that problem, but over time, it just resolved itself as I did more and more spinning.

[@Quietcloud]

The slow mo was super helpful so I could watch each of your fingers in action. How do you gauge when you have enough twist while your hands are so busy?

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I wish I had a better answer, but I sample a little bit. I have a natural rhythm like this - I think most people do. Then I adjust the e-spinner or treading to match it. I also really kind of know how I want it to look while it's under tension, so I use the rhythm and I watch if that makes sense.

[@dmbrown240]

I have done a chain ply once so far. It was over twisted when it was done. I had to put it through the wheel to loosen it up. I’ll be trying it again soon. Thanks for the tips! Your yarn came out beautiful. Your singles must have been very thin to get 500 yds. ❤️

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Even the yarn seems really thin when I'm knitting, but when I release tension it puffs up nicely

[@shadysusan4244]

Beautiful yarn

[@seekingtoremain]

The slow mo helped a lot! Thank you! So question for a new spinner - turkey hand vs chain ply? When to use which and why?

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That's a big questions! Turkey hand gives a 2 ply. Chain ply gives a 3 ply, so that's one thing. Then how color is being handled plays a part too. chain ply will keep the color changes more intact. You would get more barber pole with multicolor singles if you use turkey hand.

[@seekingtoremain]

@@FiberLoveDiary fascinating! I think I assumed chain would be only 2 ply because of the outer edges of the loop, I didn’t account for the center string also being pulled in. Thank you!!

[@terryvanderslice4825]

I love chain plying and do it a lot, but your video shows why some of mine look better than others...thank you

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I'm glad it helped you!

[@barbarareeves9669]

I must try this again!

[@tracyirwin9578]

This video is so helpful for understanding the method of chain plying. I see that you use an electric spinning wheel in this video. Do you always chain ply on the e-wheel. It must make it so much easier because you don't have to stop and move the yarn to a new peg on your flier every few minutes. Every time I stop to move the yarn I get a yarn barf because the bobbin just keeps going and everything curls up in a blob on the floor lol.

[@FiberLoveDiary]

I ply on all my wheels, but if I'm doing something sock weight or thinner, I often use either the e-spinner or my Ashford with the woolly winder. I do just think it's nice to be able to go and go on a huge bobbin without stopping to change hooks if possible.

[@happyneedlebinding]

Thank for your video it is the best of KZbin 😀

[@sharonking7978]

Such a beautiful finished yarn. Nice tip to avoid the bumps. What do you do if that thin yarn breaks? Do you have a close up slow mo of you spinning that beautifully thin and consistent yarn? I haven't seen one in my search. Thanks for sharing all your smarts.😍

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Good question. I'll show sometime in a Q&A!

[@ashleyb2083]

And one hour later I've done it! Thanks!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That is so, so awesome!!

[@lorim.8136]

That is really cool 😃

[@janiewhitney1156]

I tried it because it looked like fun. My yarn turned out very bumpy and very over spun. When I wound it in a hank it just twisted right up. Washing it and thwacking it didn't even help. 😥 I didn't know about the tension so I will try that next time. Thanks for the video!

[@FiberLoveDiary]

Overspinning is easy to fix, you just treadle more slowly or feed it in faster. Have fun!

[@bentrent5924]

Great demo video! Maybe your LYS will have you teach spinning classes??

[@FiberLoveDiary]

That's so nice! They have a great teacher and I get too stressed to teach formal classes. I feel personally responsible for every student's success and make myself crazy even if they don't put the time in. It's not good for me

[@bentrent5924]

@@FiberLoveDiary it's good that you know that about yourself. No one needs that kind of stress in their lives. 💗

[@FayJayLins]

Amazing explanation

[@SusannaGatz-kt3mh]

This was great! Thank you!!