But, time to defrost and prepare that new spun yarn so you can use it to knit or crochet something warm. 1st you need to unwind the yarn from the spindle, If you have a kniddyknoddy (a wooden tool to wind yarn onto and measures it at the same time) or yarn swift, you are in great shape, if not there is always the back of a chair! If the top of the chair is wider than down by the seat, remember to wind it around loose enough to slip the yarn over the top of the chair. Before removing your yarn from a chair, kniddyknoddy or swift, you want to tie it in 4 equi-distant places around the yarn to keep it from tangling. When making the ties it is best to split the thickness of the yarn at that spot and tie it in a figure 8, this keeps it even more untangled and is the traditional way to tie a skein of yarn, do this in the other 3 spots. You can use any scrap yarn or string to do this.
Once you have slipped your skein off, you want to put it into a sink or basin of hot water (not boiling) for about 20 minutes. This sets the twist in the yarn so it does not unwind. Remove and let cool, then press the excess water out gently and blot in a towel (do not do this while yarn is still hot ( you will felt the yarn). A more efficient way to remove the cool water is to put the yarn in your washer and let it spin for about minute or less. DO NOT LET IT AGGITATE!!!! otherwise you will have a ball of felted wool that you can not use. Now hang it up maybe around a doorknob, to dry. If your yarn has been overspun & kinky, you can attach a weight to it while it dries. I recommend a coffee cup tied through the handle and onto the hanging yarn. When dry, carefully cut the 4 ties on the yarn and wind your skin into a ball for use.
Next time I'll deal with plying yarns, yarn weights and needle sizes.
See you soon!
Arlyne ~ http://www.thewooleywhale.com/
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