The Woman Who's Making Yarn Substitution Easy // Casual Friday 3-45

[@maryherbert9082]

I appreciate your curiosity! The discussion on z ply/s ply was fascinating. And the interview with Wendy Peterson was so good. Thank you for doing the work to bring us this interesting information.

[@Killersquirrel66]

It is always lovely to see follow knitting nerds gushing about the topic they love, so I very much enjoyed the interview with Wendy. 😄 It's amazing that such an in-depth resource is managed by one person! Thank you also for the Coolors link; my brain is really bad at telling when colours match/clash (I generally end up asking whoever happens to be nearby for feedback on yarn combos 😅), so I know what you mean about avoiding colourwork to focus on texturework instead. But I'm gradually working on branching out a little, and having tools like this help a lot. 🙂

[@cydnicaldwell1337]

You consistently provide the most interesting and informative videos! I'm absolutely humbled by your knowledge and ability to share in a way that everyone can follow. I'm a really knowledgeable crocheter, but knitting I'm not so knowledgeable about as I'm an excellent beginner and a mid-level intermediate knitter. Your videos along with a few others are some of my go to places to learn. I'm a visual learner and a kinetic learner so seeing examples and demonstrations are so necessary to me for learning. You make things so every level of knitter can understand and attempt to accomplish for themselves that is something I believe everyone needs in a teacher/tutor. Wonderful work as always.

[@sunrhyze]

I have used Yarn Sub so many times without thinking about there being an actual human being behind the whole thing! So there she was. That was great. Also now I know how to use that site better. Thank you!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

What's more amazing is that she's doing all the data compilation herself!

[@maryjodemorrow6253]

I’ve used Yarnsub for a while now so it’s so nice to put a face to the site. Her twist and weave is my go to for adding a new ball of yarn. Thank you Roxanne and Wendy!

[@YarnSub]

That is so lovely to hear :)

[@Wayfarer889]

Do you have a link to this twist and weave technique? I want to try it!

[@maryjodemorrow6253]

@@Wayfarer889 here you go yarnsub.com/articles/techniques/twist-and-weave-color-change/

[@margaretwebby9723]

Thank you Rox I always wondered who had such a fantastic idea. I use all the time when looking for substitute yarns for patterns by designers outside the UK, and have for years. She is a genius and good luck with her ideas for the future.

[@maryalgar8779]

Excellent - especially interview with creator of Yarn Sub. I was familiar with that site - but have not used it extensively. Fascinating how she saw a need for such information and created a great resource. You did a great job interviewing her. I could see you were knitting soul mates before you even mentioned it.

[@sandygrogg1203]

That was such an interesting.. and informative video.. As usual, I thoroughly enjoyed it💜

[@cherylh3856]

Fantastic episode/interview. Thank you!

[@skvalberget]

In Scandinavian twined knitting you traditionally use z plyed yarn, because you twine two strands after every or every other stitch. It produces a very dense durable wind proof fabric. You can find out more if you search for the Swedish word tvåändsstickning. Thanks for another interesting episode.

[@genX49]

Yes! I am learning twined or two-ended knitting and z twist is recommended and helps with the twisting and untwisting process of two-ended knittng.

[@lmchatwin77]

Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into your videos. I'm so grateful you share your knowledge and talents. It truly has made a world of difference in my life. I so enjoy them all. The world is a much better place, with people like you in it.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Wow, thank you!

[@danielkiely9446]

There you go again, making Friday the best day of the week!

[@MW-iu1ed]

FAB-U-LOUS video. I was running late for work and actually brought my phone into the shower (waterproof case) so I could continue watching and hearing the video in its entirety. So glad you did the interview. I have poked into yarn sub but this gave me a deeper appreciation and understanding Thanks

[@francesc.2922]

I enjoyed that interview and learned a lot about yarnsub's capabilities that I wasn't aware of. Thanks!

[@kaybellor2284]

I love the interview! I have used Yarn Sub quite a bit and it was fun hearing about how it all started. Wonderful conversation.

[@danellem6325]

As soon as the interview started i knew i needed to ask about Wendy's sweater! I figured I'd watch the whole episode before commenting because I knew you wouldn't let us down! I can't wait to hear your revelations on shaped intarsia and I'm actually now excited to dig into intarsia!

[@YarnSub]

I can't wait for Roxanne to get going on shaped intarsia either!

[@juliaturney7017]

Thank you for the yarn sub introduction! Very cool.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad you like it!

[@ixtlanisabelle]

This is soooo interesting. I have been checking on their site, thank you for sharing this !

[@Jezza11bh]

What a fabulous podcast! I loved all of it! I too could not control the yarn with my baby-alpaca, heavily-cabled, pullover (S/2 ply woollen spun) - the stitches looked very untidy. I even tried your technique to avoid excess twist (which I also LOVE!). In the end I bought an identical-looking (S 2 ply woolen spun) yarn from a different manufacture, which behaved much more neatly. (I think their was less twist in the original yarn but it looked the same thickness and the guage was within 1st per 10cm of each other.)

[@sylviamccormick9510]

Hello Roxanne, what a blast from the past, I used traditional Irish aran wool spun at Kerry Mills for a long time starting in the early 70s, I knit aran sweaters and cardies for a number of shops, this was my working from home while the kids were growing up, I still knit arans, and just finished a sweater for a Christmas gift in a wool, mohair mix. Thoroughly enjoyed this video, thank you again xx

[@jsorensens2]

Such a great episode. YarnSub is amazing! I've used it before, but had no idea that Wendy single-handedly manages the database. Wonder Woman. I have always been interested in trying a shaped intarsia project so I really look forward to that upcoming episode. Thanks Rox!

[@elaineenstone6834]

Excellent video. Still use oxo cubes to make gravy. Thank you for the introduction to Yarn sub. Will be looking at the website. 🇬🇧

[@debracisneroshhp2827]

That was pretty cool! I have yet to have an opportunity to utilize Wendy's website but am looking forward to doing so in the future. Thanks, Roxanne. You did a great job__can't wait to see the next installment re: shaped intarsia. 💖🙌🙌🙌😺

[@suki123sharp8]

Very informative! Great interview. And references I didn't know about. Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BeautifulOaks]

Hi Rox, I like your quest on explanations for Z and S twist yarns. I’m in no way very experienced in yarn arts, let alone yarns. However, as a consumer, it hadn’t occurred to me there was a twist difference and could work better for knitting or crochet. Sometimes a yarn a wouldn’t behave and I’d think, ‘bummer.’ The difference never came up through the decades whenever I was exposed to crochet or knitting or even yarn arts classes. Essentially, we worked with yarn we could find at the stores and made do, not knowing any difference or thinking ‘I want something more or better.’ I think the preference or explanations for yarn twist wasn’t as important to pass down through the generations as teaching or sharing how to make an item to achieve a product for self or sale. Thankfully, now we have so much access to information, people with information and yarn goods. Now, I would like try the different twist yarns to know for myself. Thanks.

[@moirahewitt813]

OXO it's a Brit thing Rox it's the name of one of the oldest stock cubes in the UK and had a series of famous adverts.

[@alisonnaylor2091]

Thanks for a great episode & really enjoyed the interview!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@GrapeApe2018]

Thanks Wendy!

[@christinecarr1679]

Wow! Sixty thousand subscribers. I'm not surprised.

[@michelleellis1290]

Excellent interview thank you! I love listening to your yarn journey thank you for letting us be a part of that ❤️

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@concettorametta9005]

Lisa Rametta writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you Roxanne ! If I’d had this knowledge last month , I would have saved a great deal of time and money ! Please accept a Ko-fi - You rock Rox ☀️

[@elinarlowry7897]

Another great video. I really enjoyed your chat with Wendy. Any chance of a live chat with questions from your audience? I'm intrigued by the shaped intarsia concept and will definitely be trying it out.

[@sylviemimichevol3567]

Lovely to meet Wendy! I’ve exchanged e-mails with her, but good to put a face on the name. I use Yarn Sub all the time, it’s an incredibly useful tool.

[@YarnSub]

Hello again Sylvie! Thank you for letting me know that Rastita has been discontinued :)

[@kentuckymarsha]

I’ve always had difficulty picking yarn colors, fabric colors. I’m so relieved that someone else does too. Thank you for sharing.

[@theastewart6721]

Hi Roxanne. Another fascinating podcast! I’m learning so much! I never would have thought about “S” spun verses “Z”spun yarns had you not brought it up. Very interesting stuff! You and Wendy are definitely kindred spirits! My teacher told me about yarnsub.com about 8 years ago and I have used it. But your interview taught me so much more about what other additional options are available on that site that I never knew about! I’m so pleased. I have had an idea about a topic I would be interested in. You may have already done a podcast on it but I thought I’d throw it out there. I’d love to know your thoughts on what books would be great to have in our knitting libraries. I find it strange that I’m even suggesting it because I learn much easier in my class or a tutorial, lol. But I see all of your books behind you and I am intrigued. I’m glad you mentioned Wendy’s sweater at the end. I figured it was hand knit and found the pattern very pretty! Looking forward to learning more about that. Thank you! Have a nice week and Happy Thanksgiving!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I've talked about the books in my library several times. Last fall, I did a segment each Casual Friday for 5 or 6 weeks, talking about different categories of books. If you look at the Casual Friday playlist, last year's videos all start with the number 2. The videos starting in the late 30s or early 40s are probably where the book discussions began. You can read the video descriptions for the time stamped links to see whether or not that video had book discussions, and from that point forward, there will be a segment in each video for the next five or six weeks.

[@theastewart6721]

Thank you. How did I miss this? I’ve been a subscriber way before last fall. Oh I get. My mom passed away in July and I took a break. There were things that I needed to take care of because she lived in Florida but was buried up here in the northeast and I’m the only one up here. I will definitely check out the podcast. It gives me something extra to look forward too! Thanks again!🤗🤗

[@ruthlee2752]

Really interesting on all the info. Thanks

[@maryrichardson8790]

I'm not so good at guessing colours either. I just googled 'striped jumper' for my daughters jumper, and saw a great coloured jumper I knewshe would love, so I bought yarns in those colours even though a very different design. It worked!

[@verdandiknits]

Dear Rox, I'm watching your exploration into the ply-direction for some time now. I think I remember, that the different directions for spun yarns was (and probably still is) used in weaving. The wharp and the weft were of opposing directions. But because I'm no weaver, I can't tell you more about it. But it may be an interesting thing to have a look at.

[@elainedarquin]

Fascinating!

[@joanneyoung1081]

Thank you for the very useful information.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You are welcome!

[@marthaellensmith7913]

It was my understanding that Z-ply yarns were more intended for weaving, but that S-ply works better for handwork. So it depends on the use for which the yarn is intended.

[@heleenoomen1404]

I have just discovered the both of you, happy me.....

[@danielleboots7032]

Nice interview. Thank you.

[@ShowandTellknitting]

One of the big yarn companies (maybe Knit Picks??) also has a color chart helper tool similar to what you described.

[@virginiaperezhernandez9143]

just wanted to share this video by Arne and Carlos about the OX pattern. Have a nice weekend.

[@gfixler]

Oh, I love yarnsub! I've wanted to send in a pile of yarn data to help out.

[@YarnSub]

Yay! Please do!

[@EstillaSz]

I am such a newbie to knitting.

[@broadwayandcrochet1394]

I wonder if the mills were standardizing at a time when crocheters were working mostly with thread (assuming knitters actually did prefer s-plied yarns)? I haven't studied this, so this is wild conjecture, but it seems like pre-1960s crochet was mostly done with thread, not yarn. Interesting question, and I look forward to learning what you discover.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

A lot of the patterns from the early 20th century included a combination of knitting and crocheting, including the Roaring 20's sweater I knit earlier this year. They were calling for the same yarn for both elements.

[@broadwayandcrochet1394]

Well, that's not it then. 😁

[@TheSuzberry]

I think I heard that large mills that produce for commercial knitting are the same mills that produce smaller quantities for hand or home machine knitting. And they do not want to set up for both S and Z twists.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

But the question remains: WHY do they all set up for S-ply to begin with? Why doesn't it vary from mill to mill?

[@PCVKnits]

Amazing discussion! I love YarnSub, thanks for putting a face to the site. I also love Wendy's sweater and had never heard of shaped intarsia either. Please say that there is a pattern for that sweater. I'd love to learn the technique and get that awesome sweater in the end. Thanks so much for all you do!

[@patmillett8056]

Usually a person knitting wraps the yarn counter-clockwise on the needle. This would tighten the twist of s-twisted yarn. If a person (such as a left-handed knitter) wraps the yarn clockwise, would the s-twisted yarn loosen the twist?

[@teresaallan6841]

More chapters for your book!

[@teslaandhumanity7383]

We have stock cubes called oxo been around since war times in 🇬🇧

[@marilyn1228]

My limited understanding is that z-twist also suits people who knit Continental or picking better than traditional English throwers.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It suits crocheters, who bring the yarn around the hook clockwise. Continental knitters bring the yarn around the same direction as English knitters (counterclockwise), unless they knit Eastern (which creates new sts that sit on the needle with the leading/right leg over the back). Combination knitters bring the yarn around the needle in one direction for knits and the other for purls, so for them, it depends on how much they're knitting vs purling.

[@Ami5Jo]

Hi! I tried the coolers.co site but it didn't exist. Then google suggested coolors.co and there was a color tool. So is it my web or a typo😉

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I did spell it wrong, but the link I included in the video description was correct. Thanks!

[@susanwood1445]

If you ply yarn in the opposite direction to the spin does z ply and s ply yarn depend on whether the single strand of yarn was spun with a twist to the right or left? If modern equipment spins in one direction would you get plied yarn in only one direction?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Modern equipment can twist in either direction, but there could be lots of reasons why they would choose to set up the equipment one way and not want to change it. Smaller mills work with smaller batches, and can keep track of a particular customer's batch of fiber, and customize how it's spun based on the customer's specifications. Larger mills have larger capacity, but they are limited to how small a batch of wool they can process. It could be that changing from the mill's standard method would be prohibitively expensive for the customer. There may be some "pooling" of wool to form larger batches, which would then need to be processed the same way.

[@susanwood1445]

@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you I didn't know I must admit I asked the question before watching through. It does make sense if switching between settings can be time consuming. Law of diminishing returns as the bulk of consumers do not look at how a yarn is plied so why bother changing with bulk commercial yarn. Great information as usual. Thank you.

[@denisenj7648]

I think stockinette in Z makes stripes in columns and S makes regular looking knit stitches in stockinette. The left legs of the loop just blends into a long column w Z yarn and you lose the stitch defintion. I think. Maybe. Someone confirm.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Single yarns typically have a z-twist, and you will see a vertical column for one leg of the stitch, just as you do for s-on-s ply yarns. A balanced yarn, whether it's s or z ply will have the even \/ formation of sts, although the legs have a slightly different appearance. When you take a yarn with a twist angle to the right / and then compare the legs of those right and left stitch legs, the twist angle of the yarn will look different in each leg (basically vertical in the left leg), but the leg itself will still be angled. Likewise, with a z-plied yarn, which angles \ the twist angle of the plies will be more left-angled, and the right leg plies will be nearly vertical, but the stitch legs themselves will still be \/. I did a video in September on "Why do my stitches look weird?" which talks about why/when you get stitches where the legs are actually vertical |/ or \|

[@denisenj7648]

Thanks so much!

[@gfixler]

Some of my artist friends have seen their Instagram posts of their art compiled into books and sold by scammers on Amazon, and Amazon won't bother to help them fix it 😞 One even had his art book recreated, in much worse quality.

[@margieszymanskyj5416]

Can anyone tell me how to get notifications when new videos are uploaded? Years ago I used to get notifications, but that stopped some time ago. I never know when new videos are available to watch. Thanks.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

YT stopped sending email notifications this past summer. You can either go to your YT subscription feed page to see what new videos have been published (for channels you subscribe to), or if you use Chrome or the YT app, you will get a notification on your screen. I use kzbin.infosubscriptions as my YT bookmark, rather than the YT home page.

[@margieszymanskyj5416]

@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you very much Roxanne!

[@judithtaylor6916]

Unfortunately Yarn Sub is only suitable for European yarns and not yarns made or supplied in Australia, making the choice of subtitution yarns impossible.

[@hilarycohen1470]

Can searcher specify country of origin?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

There's tons of information on the yarnsub website about how the filters work. That's the best place to get your answers, and to play around with the search engine. "Country of origin" might be hard to define. Some wools are produced entirely outside the country where the company exists, but they might be shipped from country to country and continent to continent from the time the sheep is sheared until the yarn is complete, having only one aspect of the production process performed in each country. Other yarns are produced in the same country where the wool originates, and processed completely in a vertical mill.

[@hilarycohen1470]

Pet peeve: yarn co recycles name of one yarn to a different one. Ex: valley yarns (WEBS) Colrain was available in worsted weight- suddenly its a LACEweight. Quite a shift!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Cascade 220 used to be the name of a worsted weight (non-superwash) wool that came in 220yd hanks (hence, its name). There are all manner of Cascade 220 yarns, now (in different weights, different wool breeds, and some superwash, to boot!). It looks like the laceweight version of Colrain got its name from having the same fiber blend as the original.

[@robyn3349]

oxo = hug, kiss, hug ;)

[@pilargarcia448]

Loved the interview and information about YarnSub. BTW, Arne and Carlos have a segment on the XO pattern: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4S8l6WFrZtspaM

[@mmmsss2443]

Slighty off topic - I don't know whether you have decided on a 1940s sweater project yet? If not, one option might be to use the old sweater you are reverse engineering and use the yarn to make something new. I think that would be very much in the 40s spirit!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

What a great idea! Two potential issues: it's an Aran weight yarn and by the 1940s, they were knitting more form-fitting sweaters with much thinner yarns (usually fingering or sport weight). The other is that it's a chainette construction, which affects how the fabric drapes. (I don't think chainette was around back then.) Because the sweater was a gift from my beloved MIL, I am sentimental about it and inclined to preserve it as it is. This is the first compelling reason I've received for re-using the yarn from the sweater, so thanks for that!

[@francesc.2922]

I enjoyed that interview and learned a lot about yarnsub's capabilities that I wasn't aware of. Thanks!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad it was helpful!