What Do I Do with that Braid I Just Bought?
I often teach about color handling techniques. Here are some of my favorite techniques, all spun from the same braid of fiber.
The fiber is 80/20 wool/silk from one of my favorite dyers, Apothefaery.
By spinning the samples from the same braid, you can better see how the different techniques alter how we view the same set of colors.
Good Old Default 2-Ply
Split the braid in half down the length. Spin one half to one bobbin. Spin the other half to a second bobbin. Then ply the two.
The colors will roughly match with some barber-poling in the color transitions.
2-Ply Flipped
Split the braid in half down the length. Spin one half to one bobbin. Take the other half, flip it so that you are spinning from the opposite end to the first half. Then ply the two.
Depending on how the colors are laid in the braid, you can get some really interesting color play.
Ply it with a Solid
Spin your braid from end to end. Select another braid or other fiber in a coordinating solid color. Spin that, then ply it with your braid.
The solid creates consistency throughout the project, while allowing your braid’s colors to shine through.
Ply it with another Braid
A variation on plying with a solid, spin your braid from end to end. Choose a coordinating braid and spin that end to end. Then ply the two.
The resulting yarn can really make a crazy, interesting color pattern.
Chain Ply
So far, the techniques have all been straight spins. This one is a technique all on its own.
Spin the braid from one end to the other straight onto your bobbin. Then, using a technique like a crochet chain stitch, create a 3-ply yarn.
You’ll get clean, crisp colors from this technique.
Sort Your Colors
The dyer put the colors in a certain order. You, as the spinner, don’t have to keep that exact order. You can do what you want.
In this sample, I sorted dark colors into one pile to spin together and light colors into another pile, paying attention only to value and not to the specific color.
Fractal
Split the braid in half, length-wise. Spin the first half to one bobbin. Take the second half and split it length-wise 4 or more times. Spin each of these 4 lengths end to end. Ply that with your first bobbin.
This technique focuses on repeating color patterns in smaller and larger proportions and helps carry all of the colors within the braid throughout the whole project.
True Neutral
Featured in Spin-Off Magazine - Fall 2023 - Carding a True Neutral, p24.
Split the braid lengthwise. Spin the first half to one bobbin. Take the second half of the braid and card it together until it is one, muddy color. Then spin and ply that fiber with the first bobbin.
The neutral contains all of the colors from the braid, and pairs well with every color, almost fading into the background and giving the impression of more gentle striping than some of the other techniques.
