#11 - The Singles Issue, Winter 2015

PLY Magazine — Singles Issue

This issue is all about singles yarns — those lively, unplied strands that spinners either absolutely adore…or side-eye a little. Wherever you land, there’s so much to learn here, and this issue digs in with curiosity, humor, and a whole lot of practical guidance.

Ever wondered what the real bias point of singles is — and how to avoid it in your knitting or weaving? Elizabeth Watt breaks it down in a way that truly clicks. Curious about how much durability you sacrifice when you skip plying? Grace Hopkins keeps a diary of a hardworking pair of socks to find out. Beth Smith shares which fibers shine as singles, Melissa Yoder Ricks explores long color stripes, and Katherine Johnson dives into using singles in naalbinding, tatting, and tri-pin looming.

Weavers, you are well cared for here: Carol McFadden writes about spinning singles specifically for weaving, and Deborah Behm explores tapestry weaving with singles. If you haven’t dipped a toe into weaving yet, there’s even a small beginner tapestry project to get you started.

And of course, there are knitting projects, too. Carol Feller and Susanna IC bring gorgeous singles-friendly designs — hats, shawls, and scarves — while Sylvia Becker’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” shows what happens when an uptwisted single collapses in all the best ways.

Stephenie Gaustad walks you through finishing methods to help tame a wild single, and Esther Rodgers, Amy King, and Arlene Thayer dig into the great debate: should you tension-set your singles?

It’s informative, playful, and deeply practical — the kind of issue that makes you want to spin, swatch, and experiment. Whether singles already have your heart or you’re still on the fence, this one will make you look at them in a whole new way.