Spin-Off – September 2019

Fall 2019 • Spin Off 27

have different fiber content and construction depending on

the use of the garment.

A good choice of fiber for a sturdy fabric is one that

contains a soft undercoat and a strong outercoat, either

from a breed that has both qualities in its fleece or by

combining different characteristics from two breeds. For

hardworking mittens, a yarn with longer, stronger fibers

may be suitable, while fancy gloves may benefit from a

finer fiber. Combed wool will add to the strength and

give beautiful stitch definition, especially for patterns with

decorative crook stitches (see page 30). Stronger ply twist

will also highlight the texture of crook stitches.

Short-staple fibers are not impossible to use for a

twined knitting yarn, but I don’t recommend fibers shorter

than two inches. My first Z-plied yarn for twined knitting

was spun at the beginning of my spinning journey with

The Z-plied yarn swatch

(left) feels smoother than

the S-plied yarn swatch

(right). The left halves of the

S-plied stitches are a bit tilt-

ed and higher than the right

halves of the stitches.

Reverse sides of twined-

knitted swatches. The

swatch with Z-plied yarn

(left) feels smoother than

the swatch with S-plied yarn

(right). I can feel the horizon-

tal structure on the purl side

of the Z-plied swatch, while

I can feel each individual

ridge on the inside of the

S-plied swatch. Twined knit-

ting with S-plied yarn is thus

quite uncomfortable and

results in a fabric that feels

and looks bulkier.