handspun

Handspun yarn is unique.

Terms

• Energized singles - These are spun with more twist than other sections of the yarn.
• 2-ply - 2 strands of handspun are twisted together. The yarn tends to be oval in shape and is good for stockinette and lace knitting.
• 3-ply - 3 strands of handspun are twisted together. This yarn tends to be rounder in shape and is good for stockinette, intarsia, and cables.
• Chain-ply - behaves as a 3-ply when knitting, my process when spinning is different than a standard 3-ply.

Care

Hand wash cold, lay flat to dry.

I'm often asked how I care for my handspun. I confess I'm perplexed by the question; however, I understand it. Handspun can feel more precious and special than a commercially spun yarn. I care for it the same way I do all yarn and fiber; this is how I wash and wind my handspun yarn.

Washing

If you need to wash your skein or your finished item, please treat it kindly. In general, that means wash in cold water with a wool wash and lay flat to dry. If you need further instruction on using a wool wash, both Eucalan and Soak provide resources on their websites. There are other brands as well on recipes online.

Winding

This is where things tend to change from commercially spun yarns. I prefer to hand wind my handspun. There's something extra yummy about that process and I enjoy the extra time it takes, and I like the look of the ball of yarn instead of a cake.

I give the skein a bit of a snap with my hands before I put it on the swift, I've found this helps to reduce tangles. If you want to use a ball winder, go slow, and pay attention to the yarn as you go. If it's an art yarn, meaning for example includes beads or coils, then I strongly urge you to hand wind.

I hope these tips help you feel more confident caring for handspun yarn.

Gallery of handspun