PLY Issue 49 Summer 2025
PLY The Magazine for Handspinners
Issue 49 Summer 2025
The Tension Issue
Tension might seem like something we want to avoid, but we use tension all the time when we spin, from our wheel systems to how we manage the yarns we create. The Tension issue will help you remove tension in your body and head by explaining and exploring all the ways tension is useful when you are spinning.
Tension might seem like something we want to avoid, but we use tension all the time when we spin, from our wheel systems to how we manage the yarns we create. The Tension issue will help you remove tension in your body and head by explaining and exploring all the ways tension is useful when you are spinning.
- What material should you use for your drive band and your brake band?
- How do you know when you might want to increase the take-up or decrease the take-up when creating a specific yarn?
- How does adjusting the tension and angle while plying affect the yarn and how can you use that to create different textured and art yarns?
- How do you make sure your tension is right when using various long draw techniques?
You’ll find some answers to these questions and more inside these pages. For projects, we have a gorgeous cowl created by linking chains together, socks using opposing-ply yarn, and a crochet scarf from a fine laceweight yarn. You’ll also find specific hand exercises you can perform daily to help with keeping your hands flexible and injury-free as well as suggestions for using spinning as a meditation to help reduce mental stress. This is an issue you don’t want to miss!
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