What it takes and what it makes...
We have been asked what quantity of yarn our fiber batts will make. My common response is that it depends on the thickness of your yarn and weight of your batt, and whether you are making a single or plied yarn. To further clarify, we thought it best to share a specific example.
Recently we were blessed with a 'girls' mini vacation to Ocean Shores and while visiting we thought it fitting to bring the 1.4oz 'Sea Spray' fiber batt we had cleaned, dyed and carded on the homestead. While enjoying the outdoor salty air, Mom spun it up into the first stage: a single.
Wonder Waves (Left) and a solid muted green (Right) singles. Notice the variety in bulk, weight and style.
Once home, she wound it on an empty toilet paper roll to access both the end and beginning to ply it on itself. This is a technique we learned from another spinner, however it did not work as seamlessly as anticipated. There is a learning curve to be mastered in any new method and it applies to this as well. Next time will be easier.
You can also ply a yarn on itself with Navajo plying, and this is an excellent way to highlight a colorway in the yarn, but it is a triple ply and uses more of the yarn single.
You can also ply a yarn on itself with Navajo plying, and this is an excellent way to highlight a colorway in the yarn, but it is a triple ply and uses more of the yarn single.
From a 1.4 ounce batt we have 154 yards of GORGEOUS, 2-ply yarn!
Now the yarn has been plied and put into a small hank. Measured at 154 yards, we can figure an average of about 100 yards per ounce, spun thin. The thicker Wonder Waves single (shown above) was plied with the green single to create just over 100 yards - what a difference! Armed with this information, you can better determine the number of batts you'll need to purchase to complete your anticipated project.
You'll also note that the picture says 'Before Fulling'. This is important, the final step to 'set' your yarn is to wash it and let it hang. With any yarn that includes our favorite fiber~Angora~ we also 'full' it by alternating it in hot soapy and cold rinse baths and giving it a good beating...
You'll also note that the picture says 'Before Fulling'. This is important, the final step to 'set' your yarn is to wash it and let it hang. With any yarn that includes our favorite fiber~Angora~ we also 'full' it by alternating it in hot soapy and cold rinse baths and giving it a good beating...
To finish the fulling we take one end of the skein in hand and beat it across a towel covered table or bench several times, rotating the skein to attack all sides of the skein. The point of this is to bind the fibers together a bit and it begins to bring out that luscious halo of the angora.
As you work with the yarn for your project, it will bring out more and more of the beautiful halo and because of the variation of fibers including wool,
alpaca - that is 4 X's warmer than wool-,
angora - that is 8 X's warmer than wool-,
and silk - also known for it's natural insulating properties;
you have a lofty, warm, one-of-a-kind luxury yarn for that perfect project.