PLY #53 - The Purpose Issue, Summer 2026
 
This issue looks at all the ways you can spin with a purpose. Although spinning up a gorgeous skein of yarn seems like a project in and of itself, ultimately most handspun yarn is used to create something else. The contributors explore how to spin with a purpose in mind, how to decide on a purpose for yarn that’s already been spun, and various ways to use handspun yarn.
Want to know what you should think about when you’re planning a yarn for a specific purpose? You’ll find articles on how the choices you make affect the yarn, how to use various levels of sampling to get the yarn you want, and how to plan yarns for projects you intend to give to someone as a gift. And we can’t forget about planning yarns that will be friendly on our hands, both during spinning and for the intended use.
What about planning for specific crafts? Kira Dulaney does a deep dive on spinning yarns for crochet, going behind the question of twist direction to explore the effects of other yarn characteristics of various crochet stitches. A pair of articles explore different aspects of twist for weaving yarns. Other articles discuss spinning yarns for embroidery and crewelwork, and one article tackles spinning yarns for flatbed knitting machines.
If you’ve wondered how to spin a yarn that will work for an assigned pooling project, Carissa Browning has all the details, as well as a pair of cowls, one knit and one crochet, that use the assigned pooling technique. And Christopher Kale explains how to make an embroidered needle book using handspun silk embroidery thread.
The issue also looks at the idea of repurposing: using scraps for spinning projects and repurposing yarn from commercial garments, which might need some additional processing or spinning before you work with it. You’ll also find articles exploring historical fiber crafts, the spinning culture in the mountains of Crete, spinning as part of a competition, and what to do at a fleece sale.