Watch as I show you how to make a two-ply yarn from a single center-pull ball. Learn how to make an Andean bracelet, how to ply two an Andean bracelet into a two-strand center-pull ball, and how to spin that two-strand ball to ply.

In this video Megan LaCore of www.theartofmegan.com shows you how to hand-wind a center pull ball of yarn from a hank. Though this technique is shown with a handmade hank of yarn, any kind of yarn wrapped in any preparation can be wound into a center-pull ball with this method.

Crochet Cabled Cowl
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Over Christmas break, my husband Mark and I were watching a TV show with my mom about knit and crochet cables. I enjoy elegant details in my work, and loved the thought of crochet cables. However, I wasn't a big fan of how they worked their cables, and ideas started running through my head on how to create my ideal crochet cable.

I pictured this design as a cowl, because by design cables act a bit like ribbing, and a tube of ribbed fabric makes an excellent neck covering, which is perfect for the rainy winter months in the San Francisco Bay Area. The tiny scalloped top edging can also be omitted for a more masculine look.

Crochet Cable Cowl Close-up
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Hook size H
Gauge: 7 sts by 10 rows = 2 inches
Yarn: On Line Linie 208 Nature-Wool
Weight: Bulky / 12 ply (7-8 wpi)

Pattern:

Row 1: Ch 78, sl st into first st to join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.

Row 2: Turning foundation chain over, ch 1, then sc 77 into back loop of chain. Sl st into first st to join in the round.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc 77, sl st to join.

Row 4: Ch 2, dc 1, *(dc 4 into front of post, dc 2)* 12 times, dc 4 into front of post, sl st to join.

Row 5: Ch 2, dc 1, **(sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts, dc 2 into 2 following cabled post sts)**, sk 2, dc 2 into front of post, cross in front of work and dc 2 into front of post of skipped sts

Rows 6 - 8: Repeat row 4

Row 9: Repeat row 5

Row 10 - 12: Repeat row 4

Row 13: Repeat row 5

Row 14 - 15: Repeat row 4

Row 16: Repeat row 5

Row 17 - 18: Repeat row 4

Row 19: ch 1, sc 77

Row 20: Repeat row 16

Row 21: (Sl st, ch 3, sk st, sl st), repeat to end of row, slipping last st into first st. Pull tail straight up through final st.

Weave in ends. Block to shape.

I can barely poke my toes to the edge of the covers without being attacked in the night by the little red monster. I grumble at his first swipe, which lands on my foot but does not break the barrier of blanket, and so does he. When, mostly asleep, I stretch the toes toward the edge and wiggle, the monster can no longer hold his excitement, and drives his pointy claws and teeth deeper into my flesh.

With a muffled and exaggerated "nooo" I kick a little, but my efforts to shoo away razors and daggars comes to no avail. If anything, the monster deepens his chase, diving into the covers for a bite of pink foot flesh.

"That's it!" I cry out, sitting straight up but barely awake. I reach down to my feet and grab a fistful of fur, dragging the little red monster up into my arms. "Come here," I say, tucking a ball of fur and flesh under the covers with me. "It's time for sleeping still." A muffled cry is followed by a low meow, and I stroke behind the ears of my kitten-in-a-cat's-body.

With a grumble, then a soft purr, Cheddar gives in, and snuggles up for nap. After all, monsters need rest too.

In this timelapse video, you can see me carding cotton on 120 pt fine hand carders, creating cotton punis for spinning, then spinning and plying cotton yarn on a tahkli spindle.