theartofmegan

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.

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.

Reading Shawl
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Last night I finished a new pattern I designed for a birthday present for one of my best girlfriends. It's a big shawl, perfect for the cool fall days in the bay area, and great for curling up on the couch to read with.

I have a feeling I'll be making a bunch of these this year, because they're fast, easy, and knit up with huge needles and only 3 balls of yarn. Can't go wrong there!

Reading Shawl
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Materials:
3 balls Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick yarn, 3 colors (pictured: oatmeal, barley, taupe)
1 set size US 19 ( 15.0 mm) knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)

Gauge for 4"x4":
7 sts by 8 rows

Approximate dimensions:
55" width x 35" length

Gauge and dimension are not critical in this piece, and dimensions can be altered by adding or decreasing stitches and rows to create desired length and width.

Reading Shawl
Originally uploaded by theartofmegan

Instructions:

Row 1: Starting with Color 1 (C1) and using the long-tail method, cast on 60 sts. Leave C1 to the side.
Row 2: Pick up Color 2 (C2) and k 60 sts. Leave C2 to the side.
Row 3: Pick up Color 3 (C3) and k 60 sts. Leave C3 to the side.
Row 4: Carry up C1, *k1, yo*, repeat * 58 times, k.
Row 5: Carry up C2, *k1, drop 1*, repeat * 58 times, k.
Row 6: Carry up C3, k 60 sts.
Row 7: Carry up C1, k 60 sts.
Row 8: Carry up C2, *k1, yo*, repeat * 58 times, k.
Row 9: Carry up C3, *k1, drop 1*, repeat * 58 times, k.
Row 10: Carry up C1, k 60 sts.
Row 11: Carry up C2, k 60 sts.
Row 12: Carry up C3, *k1, yo*, repeat * 58 times, k..
Row 13: Carry up C1, *k1, drop 1*, repeat * 58 times, k.
Row 14: Carry up C2, k 60 sts.
Row 15: Carry up C3, k 60 sts.
Rows 16 - 60: repeat rows 4-15.
Rows 61 - 75: repeat rows 4-14.
Row 76: Carry up C3, bind off. Weave in ends.

Here's more knitting shawls I've made in different colors: