A Special Sneak Peek

By Jodie Morgan

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Letter From Jodie Morgan: Founding Editor

For the past few weeks, I’ve been working on a very special project…

The latest addition to my Success Manuals series! The first was Knitting Habits, the second was Crochet Habits, and the third is going to be…

WTK Issue 36

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Yarn Habits! A success manual dedicated to helping you get the most out of yarn. This is something I highlight in the first chapter:

Yarn. Our craft’s building block, how we express our creativity, and sometimes, the bane of our existence when it tangles!

As with the past two Success Manuals, I want to ensure it’s super valuable to you, my lovely members. And I can’t do that without your help!

So, in this special edition of What To Knit Next, I’m celebrating the upcoming launch of my new Success Manual; Yarn Habits, by sharing a sneak peek with you!

Here’s a taste of what I’ve got so far for the chapter on Plies, Twists & Textures.

It’s a work in progress but I’d love to get your feedback. Please leave a comment, contact me, or email me on jodie@knitlikegranny.com

I really appreciate any suggestions you have. As a thank you for taking the time, I’ll give you a complimentary month’s membership, a spot in the acknowledgements, and, of course, a complimentary copy of the finished Success Manual!

Sneak Peek From Yarn Habits

Chapter 4. Plies, Twists & Textures

Decoding Yarn Construction

A ply is a single strand of fiber spun together with others to create yarn. You might see yarns labeled as 2-ply, 3-ply, 4-ply, or more. I once made the mistake of assuming more plies always meant a thicker yarn. Not so!

For example, I once worked with a delicate 2-ply lace weight yarn that was much finer than a 4-ply fingering weight. The number of plies affects the yarn’s strength, durability, and how it looks in your finished project:

  • Single-ply yarns: Soft and lofty, great for creating a rustic look and has excellent drape. They’re prone to pilling and splitting.
  • 2-ply yarns: used for lace weight and fingering weight yarns. They have a good balance of softness and definition.
  • 3-ply & 4-ply yarns: excellent stitch definition and durability. Perfect for socks and heavily textured patterns.
  • 5-ply & higher: less common, but strong and great for cables and hard-wearing items.

Some yarns have more complex constructions:

  • Cabled yarns: These are made by plying already plied yarns together. They’re very strong and round, great for cables and textured stitches.
  • Core-spun yarns: These have a strong core yarn strand wrapped with one or more softer fibers. They combine strength with softness.

The direction and tightness of a yarn’s twist (a S-twist or Z-twist) makes a big difference in how it behaves. A S-twist goes from bottom-left to top-right, like the middle of the letter S, while a Z-twist goes the opposite way.

Once, I was working on a reverse stockinette swatch and couldn’t figure out why my stitches looked wonky. Turns out, I had chosen a cotton yarn to knit the short-sleeved Tee that had a twist direction that emphasized the “lean” of my stitches.

The tightness of the twist matters too:

  • Tightly twisted yarns are more durable and have great stitch definition, but they sometimes feel stiff.
  • Loosely twisted yarns are often softer and have a beautiful halo, but they’re prone to pilling and splitting.

I love using loosely twisted yarns for cozy scarves and hats, while I reach for tightly twisted options when I’m making socks or other hard-wearing items.

Texture is where things get fun. There’s so much variety! Smooth yarns are great for showing off stitches and intricate designs. I love using these for lace or cable work.

You’ve also got highly textured yarns: anything from subtle slubs (thick spots in the yarn) to full-on novelty yarns with sequins, feathers, or other add-ins. They’re great for adding interest, but be prepared for the texture to affect your gauge.

Speaking of gauge, it’s important to remember plies, twists, and textures all impact your gauge. I always, always swatch when trying a new yarn or making a project.

So, what did you think? Suggestions? Improvements? Anything I should include or cover in the Yarn Habits Success Manual?

Leave a comment, contact me, or email me: jodie@knitlikegranny.com with what you’d like to see added or improved.

And as an extra thank you for sending me your feedback, I’ll give you a complimentary month’s membership, a spot in the acknowledgements, and, of course, a complimentary copy of the finished Success Manual!

Until next time, happy knitting! It'll be back next Tuesday with a brand new issue... - Jodie Morgan, Founding Editor, What To Knit Next

P.S. Don’t forget to become a VIP member for even more knitting inspiration…

About The Author

Jodie Morgan From Knit Like Granny

Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

jodie@knitlikegranny.com | Lives In: Regional Australia

Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate knitter and blogger with 40+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother and wonderful grandmother “Mama”, she fell in love with crafting from a young age. When she’s not knitting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online knitting community. Get to know Jodie and the team on our meet the team page.

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