Blue Moon Fiber 3 ply

Ah -- 3-ply!  I am in love.  Now don't get me wrong, at first it was a struggle.  I had only done a navajo 3-ply before and that was always on a spindle.  I attempted it once on my wheel after reading a Spin-Off article, but it was just so fussy.

After a few different placements of the lazy kate, and figuring out exactly how I needed to hold the plys, it just came together!  Here's what I did. . .

First, here is my super-deluxe lazy kate.  It's not unlike what Theresa has been using -- just a box with some knitting needles stuck through.  I put the kate next to the wheel and pulled up all three strands with my right hand.  This hand was kind of like a guide and the plies bent back around this hand before heading off to be spun.  This helped keep the tension and keep the plies in order.

My left hand actually had to keep things in order too, otherwise two of the plies sometimes wanted to go twisting up and leaving the third one out, so I separated them with my fingers up close to where the twist started -- this kept things all neat and orderly. 

The yarn was washed up last night and is still hanging to dry, but I can already tell that it's a winner!   I really like the 3-ply and I'm going to ply up the balance of this lovely stuff today!

And I just want to say thank you to everyone who left a nice comment about my friend.  We were able to get down to SC in time to see her before she passed away.  I have really wonderful memories of her growing up and as I said, she was a crafter.  I'm actually searching eBay for some of the crafts that she used to do back in the 70's and hopefully I'll have more to share with you soon.  I think it would be a nice memory of her!

Comments

[Scout]

Pretty yarn!

[Cara]

Thanks so much for letting us know how you did this - I've been wanting to try 3-ply. The yarn looks gorgeous on the bobbin - I can't wait to see it all skeined up!

I'm so glad you got to visit with your friend and say goodbye.

[michellelmf]

3ply is my favorite.. Love your lazy kate! ;o)

[--Deb]

Ooh, that looks so pretty! The singles I'm spinning right now are going to be 3-plied . . . though apparently not any time soon, since I'm spinning them as fine as I can manage, and it's taking a while . . . worth the wait, though!

[Devorah]

Lovely yarn! Don't you just love Blue Moon Fibers? At Rhinebeck I run right for them.

[Kelly]

Beautiful 3ply yarn!

[Deb]

Thank you for the tutorial. Great way to arrange 3 bobbins. My wheel has been calling to me. I need to get back to some of those projects!

[Rosemary Capitolo]

What a blessing for you and your friend that you were able to be with one another during this time. May all your happy memories bring you peace. Doing some of the crafts she loved will keep her in your heart. When my mom died I was going to donate toward a piece in the new Nativity set at our church. But....on the Mother's Day after she died my two daughters and I stood in Tiffanys and I said: "Forget the shepherds and the angels, your Nana loved jewelry." So, I bought a simple silver knotted ring with tiny diamonds. I look at it every day as I knit, and think of my mother.

Rosemary C

[Jess]

Ooooooooooh, look at the yummy yarn! So, so pretty! What weight yarn is this turning out to be?

I've not done a straight 3-ply yarn like this yet, it's been rather intimidating to me. I love doing a Navajo-ply on my wheel, though - it's a fun rhythm for me.

I'm glad you were able to visit with your friend before she passed on. It's comforting to be able to say your goodbyes, isn't it?

[jessie]

Love that 3-ply! Great colors, too.

[Spring]

Lovely yarn! I still haven't gotten down doing a Navajo ply that results in a useable yarn, I may have to break out my scrap handspun and see how I fair doing a three-ply.

[rebecca]

GORGEOUS!!!!!!