24 Spin Off • http://www.interweave.com
Twist is a fundamental ingredient in the creation
of most yarns. The idea is simple: as twist is added to
fibers, it begins to lock them together and prevents
them from coming apart. However, every handspinner
knows that there is a more complicated story that
lies behind this simple fact: twist can vary in degree
and direction. High twist can give us strong andTwist Analysis
Twined Knitting
By Josefi n WaltinPhotos^ by^ Dan^Waltindurable yarn; low twist can make a soft and warm
yarn. Layers of twist in singles, plies, and within the
textile structure itself greatly impact the life span of
a textile. The knitters who came before us knew this
well. A fascinating case study in twist comes from
central Sweden in the form of a mitten dropped in a
churchyard long ago.Twist direction can be used to highlight or strengthen a special technique.
It can also be adapted to better suit the maker’s techniques, such as
knitting with the yarn held in the right or left hand. As spinners, we can
create a wide spectrum of qualities just by making changes in twist.