{"product_id":"ply-issue-52-spring-2026","title":"PLY Issue 52 Spring 2026","description":"\u003cp class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLY The Magazine for Handspinners\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssue 52 Spring 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex_column av-3dwh4u-269f771766a0f65dd3b7b070a6d4e572 av_one_half  avia-builder-el-15  el_after_av_one_half  el_before_av_one_half  flex_column_div av-zero-column-padding\"\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"av_textblock_section av-36u3q6-f6bf32bebddf988e03a6de50ab8af152\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"avia_textblock\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperimental\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW265389067 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eThis issue is all about experimentation\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e, and our contributors have put on their lab coats and safety goggles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eto examine a range of possibilities with fiber and spinning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eWe start\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003ewith an article on how to design a spinning experiment and end with\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eone that gives five ideas to experiment with so you can set up your own experiments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP SCXW179635409 BCX8\" data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559740\":278}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eIn between those two\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003earticles,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eyou’ll\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efind experiments on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003ecombing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eshort fibers and carding long fibers (the opposite of the typical\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eprep)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eon adding fiber to the intake drum vs the main drum on a drum carder. But do you even need tools to make a great woolen yarn? We cover that too. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP SCXW179635409 BCX8\" data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559740\":278}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eHave you ever wondered if the length of draft for your long draw makes a difference? Or\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eif it matters if you use a short forward or a short backward draw?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eShould you spin locks from the butt end or the tip\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eend?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eAnd if you want to make sure you\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003er yarn is durable and strong,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eyou’ll\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efind several experiments that look at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003efine fibers and abrasion, how the prep\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003efor a worsted draft makes an impact, and h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eow plying plays a role.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP SCXW179635409 BCX8\" data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559740\":278}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eIf you change your drive band to a different material, what does that do to the yarn you create?\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eHow does\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethe weight of your spindle or the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003ewhorl\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eplacement on the spindle\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eaffect the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003espinning\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eexperience? How much twist can you add to your\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003esingles\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eyarn and to your plied yarn before it creates bias in the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eknitted fabric? What about twist direction for crochet?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eAnd we\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003ecan’t\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eforget the importance of finishing\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eyour yarns, but how do you decide what finishing method to use?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP SCXW179635409 BCX8\" data-ccp-props='{\"201341983\":0,\"335559740\":278}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eAll of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethese questions and more\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003eare answered\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003ein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW179635409 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethese pages!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Evanston Stitchworks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56975725560111,"sku":null,"price":13.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0876\/2988\/files\/PLY52_Experimental_Cover.jpg?v=1776629966","url":"https:\/\/evanstonstitchworks.com\/products\/ply-issue-52-spring-2026","provider":"Evanston Stitchworks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}