My issue with singles yarns, though I LOVE the texture of them, is that they just don't seem as stable as plied yarns. I worry that they may felt too quickly. I was reading Judith MacKenzie McCuin's new book The Intentional Spinner recently...she writes that plied yarn should always be a spinner's default position. She might have a point. I think I may start spinning singles yarn from primarily bluefaced leicester wool, which is next-to-skin soft but has a long staple length, in order to help counteract disadvantages such as rapid felting or fibers working their way out of the yarn (aka pilling). Falklands wool may be another option...it's a merino cross rather than straight merino. What do you think? Do you have any strong feelings one way or the other on this subject?
2 comments:
Hmmm - I have a nice scarf knit up from some merino spun into singles (I bought from hobbledehoy) that has held up VERY well - no pilling - and it gets worn under the collar of a wool coat.
Now, knit up into a sweater might be something else. I buy singles a lot - not because they cost less than plied yarns, but because I like how they look knit up. So there you go.
I know, I love how they look knit up, too! I spin plenty of singles...and apparently worry too much. :)
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