Combination Spinning, Plying, and Steaming Melissa Spins

[@maryzcorner]

Yay, I found your video that explained how many peddles you did to ply. I forgot which video you explained it and now I found it again. ((happy dance)) Thank you, it really helped me.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Mary! Glad it's helpful :)

[@cheryldambrowski8751]

Great video! Those are beautiful colors! I really like seeing the process from spin to done.

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Sheryl! The colors came out pretty incredibly--I was worried about the possibility of yarn mud, but I like the distinct hits and bits of color. Thanks so much for watching!

[@pattylabadie954]

I love watching this particular video with your color combinations!!! I’m just learning how to spin and am trying to experiment with different colors. I have mostly just spun with Cheviot wool (undyed) for now until I get used to spinning somewhat consistently. I can’t wait to combine my colors, but want to avoid having a “muddy” look instead of nice color combos. Yours in this video are SO nice!!😲. I’m looking forward to doing the same someday!!😃 Thank you so much for all your VERY informative videos...I enjoy them so much😍

[@knittingthestash]

Patty, your comment made my day! my week, even! Thanks so much and I'm wishing you the best of luck with all of your projects! Time, patience and practice are all I know, but they seem to be working :)

[@LoveoftheDarkFiberArts]

I've never seen anyone ply like that before! A fun new thing to try :)

[@knittingthestash]

cool! Thanks!

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

Beautiful colors! I love how they turned out ☺

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks, Nicole!

[@lisad3381]

Love the outcome of this yarn

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks! I made a shawl from it and it's gorgeous!

[@heartcrafts3426]

Oh my goodness, what gorgeous colour combo! Your giving Spincycle yarns a run for there money :)

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks!

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

Thanks for these tips! I’ve been trying to spin fractals, but I never get the math right.

[@sheralync5854]

very pretty color combo. thank you for sharing the info. I'm going to try steam setting. One of my spins looked beautiful on the niddy-noddy. I then wet set it and the wool fuzzed :-( Steam would have been the better option.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Sheralyn! Yes, try steam! And thank you! I hope the next spin goes well!

[@xanadu1jw]

Hi, I've been wondering why I want to learn to spin yarn as I don't knit or crochet often. I am just fascinated with the process, the feel of the fibers, the wood grain of the machine, the technical aspects of it but since I don't crochet or knit much I tell myself it is a waste to learn to spin, especially with all the beautiful yarns at the store to choose from. And also there is SO much to learn, you seem like such a wealth of knowledge and skill that I am intimidated by what all I don't know by comparison. This yarn you created is so beautiful and so even it looks machine made perfection and mine is thick and thin all over the place. And being elderly (65) I don't know if I have time to learn so much. Wow don't I sound like Debbie Downer. Sorry. Well I've gotten a start anyway, I've ordered a kick spindle and some "top?" wool and meanwhile I have made myself a sort of spindolyn out of a vitamin bottle, a kid's figit spinner. a cup hook & a spindle made from a dowel and a wooden toy car wheel from Hobby Lobby. It works.

[@knittingthestash]

I love the idea of the handmade drop spindle! It's all you need, really! And your yarn will change with time, I bet. Save those early skeins! You won't believe how far a little practice can take you :) Thanks so much for your kind words and for spending some time with me!

[@xanadu1jw]

knittingthestash 😊 Thank you for the encouragement!

[@Lady_of_Ishpeming]

xanadu1jw There's always time to learn something new. Keep on practicing and you'll be glad you put forth the effort. You never know...someone may want to buy your finished yarn☺

[@xanadu1jw]

Niccole Fales thank you for your encouragement too Nicole. Since my kick spindle arrived Thursday I have actually started to get a clue on managing the thickness of the yarn as I spin it. It really tickles me to see some progress. 😊

[@828burke]

With a strong spin and a strong play I'd imagine that has some pretty good stitch definition.

[@jillainesmith2265]

Wow... steaming. I've never seen that before. Thank you. Curious to know what the difference is between steaming and wet-setting.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Jillian! Great question! Here is a nice blog post about some of the differences: queenbeeknits.com/2013/02/20/wet-blocking-vs-steam-blocking-vs-spritz-blocking/

[@almostheaveninthegreatoutd9989]

What wheel are you using, love it.

[@cheriesmith5140]

new subscriber! just got a ladybug can't wait! thanks for your videos :)

[@melissalittlefield907]

excellent and welcome! The Ladybug is such a great wheel; I learned to spin on mine and love her. I'm planning some spinning wheel overview videos for later in the month. Thanks for subscribing! You can share your work over on Ravelry--I'd love to see what you make! www.ravelry.com/groups/knittingthestash

[@jeanlubo2446]

I have a serious problem with over spinning. Granted this is only my 4th spin on my echo. I think I’m having a problem with tension. Can or have you done a video on tension ? I’m apparently not getting it. It’s very frustrating. Love your videos, very informative. Thank You

[@knittingthestash]

Great idea for a video. I'll try to add it to the queue. In the meantime, have you checked out Rachel of the Wool and Spinning Podcast? She does such great work and gives wonderful advice about tension!

[@maggiepatterson7949]

The yarn on the niddy noddy - does it have to be aligned like that or were you just trying to see how it turned out? I have a tiny niddy noddy and my yarn gets all smashed together before I tie it and take it off. Also it seems that my yarn is wound so tight on the noddy in spite of my trying to wind it loose - not so it falls off just a tad snug. Is that ok? I can get it off and I don't leave it long on the noddy. Thanks for your advice. . .

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Maggie, Your method sounds fine to me. It's really up to the spinner. I wind mine tightly and align the strands so that it's easier to tie up and wind off later, but to each her own!

[@sammiejbrinkman8071]

Love this! Never thought of steaming this way! Question... why not steaming while its still on the niddynoddy?

[@knittingthestash]

I suppose you could! My niddy noddy is made of wood and so, I try to keep it dry--that's my main reason, but also, I think you may be better off steaming the yarn when it's NOT under pressure on the NN. Thoughts?

[@sammiejbrinkman8071]

knittingthestash ah! Mine is made of plastic, i wouldn’t suggest wood and water too hahaha.. right now i set my yarns on my nn in the shower... on 50 degrees temp (dutch showers dont really reach that heat in the time i put it under the water stream) and then ill let it dry on my niddy noddy... i just finished a center pull ply and its not set yet so i will try! Thank you💞🦄

[@knittingthestash]

Great idea! I hope the new yarn turns out well!

[@sammiejbrinkman8071]

knittingthestash dont know if ill be able to post a pic here but ill find a way and let you know how the steaming went!

[@sammiejbrinkman8071]

knittingthestash its so not helpful keeping the yarn on a nn! Annoying as .... and not getting the steam to cover all yarn places 😂

[@4vrceltic]

How did you decide on that spinning wheel when there is so many to choose from? Please be specific, I'm trying to decide which one to buy. I need one that would allow me to be able to do a variety of wool thicknesses. Thank you.

[@knittingthestash]

Hi there! I read a lot about the wheels online and then joined a guild where I could try out a lot of wheels. Many fiber or local yarn stores will have some wheels on the floor that you can try out as well. It's really a matter of personal choice--how you feel comfortable sitting, whether you like the double or single treadle (or even no treadles in the case of an electric wheel!). I find that the Schacht Ladybug is a reasonably priced wheel that is very versatile AND can travel fairly easily. The Matchless is much heavier and harder to port around. Both allow you to create a HUGE array of yarns and if you add on the jumbo flyer, you can create art yarns or other yarns that require a larger orifice. But, these Schachts are both caste wheels and some folks don't like the height of the orifice. SO, best advice: try them out if you can! And buy used--if you are buying from someone reputable. You can potentially save money that way . . . but beware the not all used wheels are created equal :) I hope that helps!

[@pathowes32]

Love the yarn you made. I have never heat set my yarn. Is this the method you mostly use? If so, why? I’m curious. Thank you

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Pat, I usually steam set just because it's a but faster . . . but it's perfectly fin to soak and dry as well!

[@sherrybarker8224]

hello, very informative, thanks. can you tell me here you found your Lazy Kate, is it home made or purchased? it is the idea i have been looking for, regards, Sherry

[@knittingthestash]

Hi Sherry--thanks! Here is a link to the info about our DIY (homemade) lazy kate--my husband built it! knittingthestash.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/diy-lazy-kate-2/ Let us know if you have questions!!

[@knittingismylife]

It looks amazing...

[@knittingthestash]

Thanks so much!

[@sueb-t2183]

love that yarn! I don't spin , yet.

[@missioncreekfarm7715]

You can use a bamboo rice steamer. Works great.

[@knittingthestash]

Great suggestion! Thanks!!

[@brittaniroberts4046]

Beautiful!

[@melissalittlefield907]

Thanks so much!

[@kayrigetta9462]

Nice