Thwacking Yarn - How to Set the Twist

[@cheskydivision]

"If you have any rage or aggression " giggle giggle 😄

[@JillianEve]

Thwacking and needle felting! Haha!

[@HOLLY2901]

I’ve finally found YOU - someone who explains this all so well! I’m learning during COVID without a teacher and your advice is just what I’m needing. 😘

[@JillianEve]

Yay! Welcome! 💕

[@shadowlandsfarmandcreamery5400]

Same! I've binge watched as many of Evie's videos as I could and can't wait to see more of her tutorials!❤❤

[@Marialla.]

I just love seeing your cheerful, friendly face any day! If you were a friend I knew in real life I'd give you a happy hug and be so glad to share a cup of tea and a cookie with you! Thank you for being such a warm and grounding part of any day. As someone who hasn't got much family irl, your comforting smile gives me a hint of what feeling welcomed by family might be like.

[@ibexacres851]

I'm so happy to have blundered around and found you! I have been processing fiber from dirty fleece to woven product and am still learning after 18 years. I just love your personality and the way you present all kinds of fiber related things. Susbscribed, liked and belled! Like I say, "The world doesn't turn, it spins!"

[@vernonbowling5310]

Our lovely neighbors would surely call the police if they saw my wife or I outside thwacking yarn. Look Albert ! Those nutty people are at it again !

[@kimgreene9241]

It’s beautiful! A Fall Sweater? Thwack on Sista ❤

[@adamakaru2683]

WOW Mrs Eve, you got, so many presentations I'm running out of brith try to watch them all 😂😅. Thank you I learn, so much and more is coming.

[@beverleylawton6899]

Really enjoyed your finishing and thwacking video - very inspiring - thank you so much. I found the comparison between the finished and unfinished skeins incredible and so visible too. I never knew about the yardage drop either (am new to spinning!).

[@JillianEve]

Oh, thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Welcome to the spinning journey! 😀

[@paulbombardier8722]

How curious indeed. I would never have thought that there would be such a dramatic difference. Looks like I have a fair bit of thwacking in my future!

[@pedsrn2003]

The salad spinner is a fabulous idea. I would never have thought of that!!!

[@diannefitzmaurice9813]

Beautiful spinning. Gorgeous yarn . Nice comparison . Yes some soap is necessary to get out the processing oils from commercial fiber or for angora. Salad spinner is great . I sometimes put it into the machine on spin. It saves a whole day for drying time. Thwacking is not always understood. It helps with some fibers but is really a technique developed by weavers for weaving because they often used high micron wool and is not necessary for knitting especially with fine fibers as it will often weaken the fibers. Also the knitting process does relax the fibers adequately. Yes one of the reasons to wet down and setting twist is that it shrinks! So it not just less twist and fluffing up that losses yardage but also the shrinkage. So it is is necessary especially with wool . And of course different breeds will shrink more depending on the fineness. So if you are concerned about shrinkage then setting twist is necessary to preshrink. I would do a test of your processing and use half to weave and half to knit and compare. But again wet finishing of the finished product and especially blocking is necessary. I will definitely watch your next video and see the outcome.

[@robbiejoymeadows803]

I'm giggling at the idea of you saying you're impatient 😂 love your videos! You're so honest and down to earth and genuinely WANT to share your knowledge

[@JillianEve]

Thank you so much!

[@PixyKayte]

Thank you for this video! I thought I knew how to thwack, but I was doing it while it was still in the towel. I'll try it after taking it out of the towel and see what happens! I also appreciated how you showed how the fiber changed - that never occurred to me. (Thwacking is indeed cathartic, especially these days!)

[@ginnymaurer2580]

I appreciate your video in so many ways! I could just go on & on!

[@DeliciaNZ]

Love your videos so clear and your voice is easy to listen to. Learning to Spin all the way from New Zealand.

[@jaredrosa3415]

Omg that yarn is so pretty 😍 I think a fall hooded shawl or poncho would be wonderful for it. And the solid color could be used as a border or to create stripes.

[@JillianEve]

Thank you! I started knitting with it to make a vest that I can wear over a black long sleeve shirt, but I'm not sure if I'm liking it. I love your poncho idea!!! I might have to 🐸!

[@kat1984]

I usually put my hand dyed skeins of yarn into fine mesh laundry bags and put it through the final spin cycle in my washing machine. I don't have room to store a salad spinner but will get one the next time I move. I've never dealt with tangles or felting using the washing machine method

[@orianaspiderowl769]

What song is that for the short? It makes me happy 😊

[@elizabethmonsees3643]

Thanks Jillian EvE😊 I think your wonderful and am learning a truck ton from you!💕💖😄

[@nikitaleeson3388]

When you do use soap, u can use shampoo it works to same as wool wash as I found out when I ran out hope that helps

[@jennifernorton4536]

So informative! I’m brand new to spinning and am just about to finish my first skein, this was very helpful thanks!

[@JillianEve]

You are welcome! Happy spinning!

[@heatherandgertrude]

Holy moly! This video is important! I almost didn’t watch it.. thanks for this information. I love how you experiment and break things down. I’m told to do things, but you explain why. So important.

[@jamie8510]

Gurl your makeup is ON POINT

[@paulettemorrissey9428]

I love your very clear instructions. I’m new to spinning and am a little timid with some of the steps but you make it all make perfect sense. And may I add, you have beautiful eyes.

[@carolharper268]

Thank you for this, what you lost in yardage you gained in the wpi. I’ve so many skiens to rewind to get my yardage. You’ve spurred me on to get it done. It’s been gorgeous weather here in the uk so lots of fleece washing and prepping being done outside. Keep safe and well xx

[@JillianEve]

I think of rewinding skeins like I think of housework. I don't want to do it. I avoid it. I enjoy it once I'm actually doing it. Then when it's done I feel super satisfied and wonder why I made it a big deal in the first place. Yep, exactly like that, haha! Enjoy your lovely weather. I can't wait to get out and wash some fleeces!

[@carolharper268]

JillianEve it’s certainly unusual weather for this time of year, I’ve even caught the sunshine and starting to go brown! It’s funny how we all have our hang ups about certain jobs, I hate housework and ironing but love the results when it’s done! 😂 there’s always nicer things to do. Xx

[@jennylockwood3775]

So entertaining AND useful. Thank you!

[@emmamclellan5785]

Thank you so much for this and the many other tutorials of yours that I have watched. You are so clear in how you teach, with lots of useful back ground information: it is very inspiring!

[@frankssisterincali]

Evie, thank you so very much for taking the time to explain about thwacking versus NOT wet-finishing. This was an enlightening video and helped this newbie spinner. You're a ray of sunshine -- not just to spinners but the whole world!

[@MalieKaiDesigns]

Your tutorials are so easy to follow! Thank you for going over all aspect of spinning yarn!

[@emmagoff]

Your videos are amazing, I'm new to spinning and there's just so much I didn't know I had to learn! Thank you for explaining everything so clearly 😃 x

[@MagdaKnits]

Thank you so much for all your wonderful videos! As a new spinner I found them all so invaluable and informative! Plus, this one also gave me some giggles :D

[@melissa-joy]

You are so fun to watch. I just discovered your channel and not only am I learning a lot, I am thoroughly enjoying your videos!

[@MS-sk2yk]

I love your personality!

[@ingebrinkmann3316]

Love your videos! Greetings from germany! 🥰🥰🥰

[@teriwise1009]

I really enjoy your videos, you are so cute and funny. I just started spinning and am plying for the first time with 2 singles. I didn’t thwack my first 2 skeins but will try it on the next to see the difference. Thanks for the information and please keep the videos coming!

[@Dina21976]

Thank you evie xx

[@aishamartowidjojo6381]

I'm glad I found your channel, you're very engaging. The more I learn about spinning, the more I want to know. It's endlessly fascinating. (FYI The Facebook link in the description box seems to be broken.)

[@JillianEve]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Sometimes I feel like the more I know about spinning, the more I know how much I don't know! ❤ I agree, it is endlessly fascinating! Thanks for letting me know about the link, I'll go fix it!

[@KimPriebe-c7o]

I love your videos! Thank you for making them!

[@mjmartin8029]

EXCELLENT VIDEO!! Well done on important topic.

[@jacquelinesnyder1927]

Not me finding this video cause I typed in "how to thwack yarn" is there a technical term for this step? 😂 This was exactly what I needed though, thank you!

[@chriskey9097]

Thwacking is therapeutic kids... But make sure you thwack responsibly. It's never ok to thwack your spouse with a newly spun skein of yarn even if he is being a butthead that day lol.

[@JillianEve]

🤣🤣🤣

[@TaylorTheOtter]

Unless you have their consent of course.

[@jacobleatherberry]

Aww you take all the fun out of it 😄😄

[@Verityville]

Definitely weaving it.

[@kevindonohue2912]

A lot of the changes that occur in wet finishing will occur in the finished project if/when you wash it - and this can affect shape and size. Another thing that happens would be more evident if you unskeined the two yarns - the wet processed yarn will lie flat but the unprocessed yarn will try to twist back on itself (especially if you are spinning singles or did a tight ply). This twisting of unprocessed yarn can be a nuisance, creating tangles. I usually soak my yarn in very hot water with a bit of wool wash (I do not agitate or it will completely felt), let it cool, rinse it, thwack it and then let it dry with weight on it, to further relax any residual twist. I think the entire process is called "fulling" - the yarn actually partially felts and is stronger than unfulled yarn.

[@Clubkidknitter]

You're a GODDESS!

[@kittylevee4662]

What about using a salad spinner to spin the water out instead of just wrapping it in a towel❓🤔 ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@jesseandhollymorton7052]

I’m watching this two years later and want to see the next video in sequence since you said this yarn would be featured. I’m so eager to see it worked up!! How can I find that video? Thanks

[@dorothythompson8139]

I love your videos! I'm just a newbie to spinning ie 4 weeks' into it and your videos are SO helpful. I have so much trouble with the tension brake with the wool over-twisting, breaking etc so I've watched that particular video soo many times but am seeking help from experienced spinners which is really difficult during our lockdown and strict social distancing rules so it's Zooming! I'm in the Blue Mountains outside of Sydney in Australia and it's autumn here. Thanks again for your videos!!!

[@JillianEve]

I'm so glad I could help! Zoom is great. I'm meeting my local fiber group through zoom and it helps the loneliness so much! Enjoy your autumn. It's my favorite season! 🐨❤

[@qiqi2692]

Very interesting !,, thank you❤

[@TinaWells143]

Was your water hot, warm or cold? I think that yarn would make a beautiful Christmas Stocking 🎄 😍

[@AliciaCCTX]

I hope to start spinning next week. getting a drop spindle for my birthday! (so excited!) funnily, I have no desire to knit tho. =p

[@JillianEve]

Happy birthday!

[@AliciaCCTX]

@@JillianEve Thank you! I made my own drop spindle (i couldn't wait) and made my first length of two ply yarn, ugly but awesome! I have trouble reincorporating the strand when it breaks though.

[@liza5532]

Hi Eve, love your channel. Why is wringing the yarn any worse than thwacking?

[@sharonbelsham6195]

Thankyou so much i found my sweet spot and your really great and good teacher thankyou 😊

[@JillianEve]

You’re welcome 😊 Happy spinning!

[@swilkin4325]

Loved your vid. Really healpful.

[@JillianEve]

Awesome! Happy spinning! 🎃

[@samanthasmith4359]

I learn a lot about yarn and I would like to know more and like to see the yarn you did wet finish into a knitted top

[@JillianEve]

I'm knitting with it right now! I'll be showing the project in my next few livestreams (until I finish it) starting tomorrow! 💕

[@arelyspopys]

Instead of a salad spinner, you could also maybe use one of those mop buckets that you step on to spin water off of mops 💕 that would be less of a work out I’m sure lol

[@arelyspopys]

I take it back 😂 I didn’t see the thacking, it’ll be a work out anyways for sure!

[@theholisticinitiative]

Do you put it back on the niddy noddy to measure yardage or do you measure on a flat surface for example ? Thank you !

[@conniecopenhaver120]

So interesting!!!!!!! Can you provide a Link to your YARN GAUGE please? ... Can you provide the Link to your video showing us your Yarn Gauge and how to use it, if you've made such a video, please? ... Thank you dear🌷🐑

[@resa367]

Water temp?

[@JillianEve]

Warm/cool

[@carlamccall9996]

Should you do this with purchased skeins, or from locally hand dyed skeins before doing a project?

[@JillianEve]

If they finished it, then you should be fine. If you are unsure if it was finished, then you might at least want to wet it and dry it to see if there is any twist energy that has been blocked out of it just incase it causes a diagonal bias in your finished project. This is why I always wash my swatches before I knit a whole project. 😊🧶🐑🌷

[@Katzenmonster60]

Hi Evie, I just found You. I'm always put my finished yarn into water. But May You explain me, why you thwacking the yarn? Thank you so much for your Videos. Regards ❤️ Chrissy

[@JillianEve]

It blooms more. 😊🧶

[@Katzenmonster60]

@@JillianEve Thank you! I know you said it in the Video, but I couldn't find it

[@deborahellis7885]

How well does thwacking work for alpaca? I love your videos.

[@JillianEve]

Thwacking is great for alpaca, but not quite for the same reason a wool. Thwacking alpaca brings out the halo. That's how you get that soft fuzzy alpaca look.

[@inezmichielsen9950]

You are so funny! 🤣

[@michelerubio-eickhoff5859]

This was all mill spun but not washed. There are a lot of skeins. I don’t have time to thwack all the yarn. I will be dyeing the yarn but have never thwacked it. Is it necessary if dyeing?

[@JillianEve]

You could thwack it after you dye it if you want to. If it was spun woolen (airy, fuzzy, lofty) thwacking can make a big difference. If it was spun worsted (aligned, compact, dense) it will make less difference but can still be helpful for finishing your yarn. So I guess, only you can really say? You could always test one skein to see what happens and if it would be worth going through it all. 💜

[@lkcantwell]

Knit a shawl!!

[@JillianEve]

I might! I haven't used it in a project yet! ❤

[@freshwaterwi]

How does thwacking compare to jerking (imagine your two hands in front of you, palms facing each other, and inserted into two ends of your open skein....then you pulse your hands outwards quickly, rotating the length of the skein to address all sections). I've done thwacking and noticed the blooming of the yarn....but was then told thwaking is useless and so began the jerking (there is another word for this that I am not recalling at the moment) where I found similar but reduced blooming, and correction of some overspin in the plying. What do you think?

[@JillianEve]

I like to thwack my woolen yarns to get that lovely bloom. I think the technique with the thumbs is called "snapping" and if I want my yarn to stay sleek and smooth (ie. worsted), that's what I'll do. That said, I think it is always good to try different techniques with your own yarn. Every spinner is different! 💖🧶🐏

[@sandraholden9066]

I am going to look up snapping yarn now as I am aiming to reduce bloom in my skeins. Thank you

[@QuiTollisPeccata]

Would this even out spinning tension inconsistencies?

[@JillianEve]

It can! 🧶💕

[@nicolelatham979]

Does a yarn ply have to be balanced or can it be a little twisted?

[@JillianEve]

It can be under twisted, just right, or over twisted and you can get different effects each way. There's no right or wrong, just what works for your project.

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

Thanks for doing this! I make art yarn and I’m afraid of thwacking it, so I usually steam it. What are your thoughts on steaming it?

[@JillianEve]

Yes, steaming is what I do for textured yarns (art yarn). Sometimes the roughness of thwacking takes away from the delicate texture of art yarn construction. Steaming is a great alternative!

[@ColorsofHopeCraftsASMR]

JillianEve thanks for your response and for being so kind to me in that live chat the other day. That was so sweet!

[@marjankooijman]

Jillian , what’s the temperature of the water?

[@JillianEve]

It's warmish or cool unless I'm scouring. Then it's 🔥 HOT

[@joecochran7378]

Thank you for this video, this is great for Wool. I’ve started spinning cotton. What process do you recommend for setting the twist for cotton?

[@JillianEve]

Since cotton doesn't "bloom" the way that wool does, I would wash it to freshen it up and allow it to relax into the yarn, but the thwacking portion of finishing would be unnecessary. I have heard that some people boil their cotton? I don't think it needs to actually be that hot for cotton. A warm soak is probably fine. Happy spinning!

[@OrchardcottagefarmCo]

Do you advise spritzing any kind of oil on the fiber before spinning?

[@JillianEve]

I haven't added oil before spinning, but I'm curious to try it. I have spritzed for combing when the static was just out of control. I think I might need to do some experimenting with this...

[@shannonbleakney8372]

I don't thwack my yarn, I was taught to hang it up wet and hang a weight from the bottom of it until dry to set my twist. Is this OK?

[@ruthcline5465]

The more I learn the more I realize I don’t know the spinning vocabulary, when mohair is properly thwacked it will bloom??!! What does that mean? If you don’t wet finish the yarn what happens? Is it necessary to wet set the fibers to make it strong enough to weave/knit with? What is the difference between a bat and roving?

[@robinmitchell4721]

A serape. Western colors.

[@lizatraut]

I really like your short hair

[@NikkiRox85]

Is the wet finish something you want to do on all yarn you spin? I am working with wool right now so I was curious. Fantastic video! Love that yarn combo. So pretty!

[@JillianEve]

Thank you Nikki! To answer your question, I do the wet finish on all my "traditional" plied yarns and I always thwack the yarns that I want to bloom. That includes almost everything I spin from a rolag and any wool that has a lot of crimp. The crimp gets stretched and pulled straight during processing and spinning. Some combed top is even ironed at the mill to keep it straight and flat. Since getting it wet and thwacking it causes the wool to crimp up and poof out, I wouldn't ever want to use a yarn in a fitted project like a sweater without wet finishing it first. You run the risk of having a sweater that shrinks when you block it! Yikes!

[@NikkiRox85]

Very understandable! I will be looking forward to getting my agressions out.🤣 With me being new to it all there is always so much twist so everything I do is a work in progress. Thank you for videos like this! Us newbies appreciate it a lot!

[@snazzypazzy]

@@JillianEve I was going to ask this, if not wet-finished yarn could change after knitting and washing or wearing, so thanks a lot!

[@starrynights5855]

What temperature should the water be? Hot or cold?

[@JillianEve]

I like to use hot, but others use warm. Try different ways and see what works best for you! 😀🐏🧶💜

[@sonjanordahl3158]

I wish we could give multiple thumbs up. Since we can't I adding a comment this time.

[@robbienewbold6842]

I love you 😍

[@michelerubio-eickhoff5859]

What do you do if you have many skeins of yarn. It will take a long time to thwack. Is there an option?

[@JillianEve]

Are they all handspun? I would focus on finishing the yarns you made from roving, batts, or rolags and spun woolen. Those need thwacking and finishing most so I would start with those and just work my way through. 🧶💕

[@kittylevee4662]

Oops‼🤣 Should have waited to ask🙄

[@JillianEve]

😁

[@fairytailfibersfashion5693]

you crack me up.

[@sheilamacisaac1482]

As an almost lifelong spinner, I have often pondered what Americans mean by 'thwackin'g' - now I've seen it, I can only say I've never done it or seen a need for it. Guess it's a cultural thing like 'yarn chicken'.

[@WhyCantIJustBeKirby]

soaking for 40 minutes?!?

[@JillianEve]

You can soak it for less. This had mohair in it that I wanted to really fluff up so I let it go a bit longer.

[@WhyCantIJustBeKirby]

@@JillianEve I tend to do 15 minutes, which was why I was so shocked, haha! Very interesting, though!

[@vernonbowling5310]

Better to have it shrink before you begin a project.

[@JillianEve]

Yes it is!

[@etm567]

By the way, that's a hank, not a skein. But otherwise love your work!

[@robinpennell1594]

Poor chair😢