HAND SPINNING

How to Spin a Cabled Yarn

Making a cabled yarn can add variety to your spinning. If the yarn you have is too thin for your project you can double the thickness by using this cabling technique.

Difficulty Level:
Average
Time Required: 90 minutes

Here’s How:

  1. Start with a yarn that has been plied already and attach it to the leader of your spinning wheel. The plied yarn can be your handspun or any commercially spun yarn.
  1. Note the direction of the spin of the original plied yarn. You will be spinning in the same direction as the original ply. The yarn will be very overtwisted.
  2. Spin a second bobbin of the same yarn (or another type of yarn) adding the same amount of twist to it as the first bobbin. (same direction as the first – over twisted)
  3. Remove the second bobbin from the wheel. Now ply both bobbins of yarn together, spinning in the opposite direction.
  4. Plying in the opposite direction, you should get a balanced, cabled yarn.

Tips:

  • Spinning a cabled yarn is similar to making a twisted fringe on a handwoven item.
  • Make sure that you add enough twist into the first spinning in Steps 2 & 3.
  • Cabling creates a smoother surfaced yarn for knitting.
  • Cabled yarns are stronger than plied yarns and are great for knitted socks.
  • You can create interesting effects by cabling mohairs, silks, wools, cottons, different colours, etc. 

How To
How Long does it take to knit
How to Make an Alum Mordant
How to Mordant Cotton and Linen Yarns
How to Sew Handwoven Fabric
How to Spin a Cabled Yarn

How to Make a Tin Mordant
How to Make a Twisted Fringe
How to Use a Corker
How to Wash Fleece
How to Felt
How to Use a McMorran Balance

Handspinning Books US
The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook: More Than 200 Fibers, from Animal to Spun Yarn
The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn
The Practical Spinner’s Guide – Cotton, Flax, Hemp (Practical Spinner’s Guides)
Spin Flax & Cotton: Traditional Techniques with Norman Kennedy


The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning: Being A Compendium of Information, Advice, and Opinions On the Noble Art & Craft
The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber
The Intentional Spinner

Handspinning Books UK
The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook: More Than 200 Fibers, from Animal to Spun Yarn
The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn
The Practical Spinner’s Guide – Cotton, Flax, Hemp (Practical Spinner’s Guides)
Spin Flax & Cotton: Traditional Techniques with Norman Kennedy


The Alden Amos Big Book of Handspinning: Being A Compendium of Information, Advice, and Opinions On the Noble Art & Craft
The Knitter’s Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber
The Intentional Spinner

EBAY – Roving
ROVING – US
ROVING – UK