What? You thought Christmas was over? It is, most places, but I had to finish up my Gnomespun polwarth.
That’s the pretty braid Ann brought me back from Rhinebeck. I love the colors!
Navajo (3-ply) on left, two-ply on right
I spent several days discussing how to ply it. In the end, two-ply won out, because the yarn is SOFT, and I wanted to make the most of it. Yeah, the colors “stick together” a bit more in the tiny bit of navajo plying I did, but not enough to make me sorry I two-plied the bulk of the yarn.
Excuse the rough-looking hand
Those of you with some fiber-reading skills will note the vast difference in twist. Both yarns are balanced, which is to say that when the skeins were hanging to dry, in loops, there was no interest on either side of the bottom loop in bending to see the other side of itself. (Think helix?)
So, I’m asking my fiber mentors… The way I see it, a navajo ply is more akin to the “hard” twist in Socks That Rock, which makes the yarn wear well as a sock, but takes away some of the drape in a shawl, while the two-ply, albeit close to under-spun (to accentuate the softness of this yarn!), will have great drape and won’t be too friction resistant. Do I have that right?
Ironically, the three-ply (navajo plied) isn’t much thicker than the very light fingering of the two-ply. THAT surprised me!
What to knit? I was thinking maybe something like this… (Sorry non-Ravelry folks… It’s a scarf-shawlette-thingee…)
To those awaiting a Sissy update, well… that’s next. Hopefully, I’ll get that post up in the next hour or so.
Here it is, the latest update…
Chan Knits 
gorgeous yarn should look very pretty in a small shawl!!!
Never spun Navajo 3-ply, you’re ahead of me there. Wash the yarn, let it bloom, swatch, you know, the usual. Pretty stuff!
I love the rich colors.
Freakin’ Fantastic yarn! I love the lace edging on the shawl you linked. Stunning. g
Most of what you said was in a foreign language (to me), but that little shawl/scarf thingy is gorgeous!
What a pretty delicate shawl. Rob was looking at spinning wheels for me at Christmas, but I told him to stop. I don’t think I’d use it enough and I don’t really need another hobby, I can barely keep up with the ones I have.
Lovely, lovely yarn! The shawl you have in mind is perfect–enough “solid” knitting to really show off the colors of the yarn.
Soooo pretty…love the colors! Wow your navajo plying is great!
I know Nothing about spinning, but am becoming more interested. If I ever start I think I might start light with a spindle. But that yarn is beautiful and would make a beautiful shawl
Cannot wait to see it knit up. It is a great and intersting color mix.
So glad pup is going to be better. When you ears are that big, well, it just has to hurt more? Cookies do help
Beautiful shaw. I’m not a spinner YET, so I can’t really say more than…pretty colors…and I know you’ll love a project you spin AND knit.
Not sure about the durability difference. I am partial to the Navajo three ply, but in general I am partial to at least a 3-ply. It looks lovely, especially the 3-ply.
That spun up beautifully!!!! And yes, I do think that the small shall will look lovely in it. I can’t wait to see it all knit up!
Are you doing anything for pie day?
Pretty!!! Christmas is certainly not over… I still have Emma’s gifts to deliver!
Oh, this is so pretty!
It’s gorgeous! Just like I knew it would be. 🙂 I always put more twist in my singles so I can put lots of it in my 2-plys… I like a tighter twist in mine. But I don’t really know about being friction resistant… I’m not real knowledgeable about drape & whatnot. I’m more of a do I like the pattern? Do I like this yarn? Yep, ok that’s what it’ll be then. LOL
Oh the project will be so very pretty. Love love love the colors.
You’re on the right track on the plying issue. YAY!!!
the roving is pretty – the yarn is gorgeous!