Wednesday, April 08, 2009

tie a string around your finger so you won't forget

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I've decided the only way to remember how to Andean ply without checking a reference, is to practice the winding method. Also, tying the starting strand to my little pinkie finger reminds me which path to take.

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As the yarn comes off the cop, my middle finger and thumb start to experience a peculiar sort of claustrophobia. I resist the urge to grab scissors and free them. And I discover that I can answer the telephone, drink my coffee and even throw a log on the fire all whilst winding singles on. ...(and yes it is still that cold)

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When the wound yarn is slipped to the wrist, I still find it amazing that there are not any tangles, and it slips effortlessly off itself and into plied yarn to be wound again, this time back onto the spindle.

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Just as all was going well, I hit a thin spot in my twist- GAH!- snap! Now what? I enlist the help of a seltzer bottle and begin again.

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No worries, it's all good. Hopefully now, I've had enough practice to be able to remember the process without checking a reference the next time I need to wind Andean style. I just need to remember to tie a string around my finger.

11 comments:

elizabeth said...

First! ha-ha, I've always wanted to say that! ;o)

I used to Andean ply like that but now I've gotten lazy and do a center pull ball around my thumb and pinky. It's only good for relaxed singles!

Manise said...

First! Nice Ledbetter spindle- Judy has the same one with bird's eye maple and the Jasper inlay. I've done the center ball method with my Turkish spindle and wound up with horrid knots sometimes. Need to learn and try your method. Thanks for the tutorial.

vanessa said...

i bought one if thise wooden andean plying tools, but haven't tried it yet...

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Tee hee... love the string trick.

Tammy said...

Amazing to me that there are no tangles...always something new to learn...thank you for sharing.

Judy said...

Not just cold enough for a fire..cold enough to snow! I was in town all day and there were flurries flying the whole time. Do April snows bring May flowers?

Tina. said...

I love reading your blog. I would love to spin. I do knit and use natural fibers, and have a hard time finding time to even do that! Well maybe someday...

Leslie Shelor said...

It's cold here, too. I love your explanation of Andean style, and now I want to try it!

D'Rimba said...

My dear friend, I love nature too. Don't forget to visit my blog. you and all of your friends are invited. I really appreciate your support. Thanks...

KnitChick said...

I love Andean plying, and it's true, you can do all sorts of things with a ball around your wrist...I drove 50 miles, had dinner at Carrabas, drove another 20 miles, THEN plyed it off!! (In pioneer garb no less!)

When I hit a thin spot I usually spit splice it on my leg or other arm and keep going...but I guess you wouldn't be wearing shorts right now :)

Cathy said...

Love the explanation and of course, I'm trying to look at the crocheting behind your hand (you know me!!)

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