This is a little trick that I learned from one of Elizabeth Zimmerman's videos. To test whether you have the correct amount of twist, it is often helpful to stop occasionally and fold your single back on itself. It's an easy, quick way to determine if your still on track.
The two photos below show an exaggerated example of a single with not enough twist. Notice that is very lofty (puffy) and that you can see light through the yarn. This occurs because there isn't enough kinetic energy in the form of "twist" to grab the individual fibers and hold them together. Singles without enough twist will drift apart when being plyed and create a finished yarn with very little definition or tensile strength.
Here are two examples of yarn with the correct amount of twist (for our needs at TFC). You can see the individual definition of both singles which, when doubled on itself, creates a yarn that resembles a string of beads. I've included two different diameters as examples.
Thinner....
Thicker (our "Regular Weight")...
Here is an example of a single with way too much twist. This curling effect is what I call "pig-tailing". There is so much kinetic energy in this single that it begins to double curl and creates a very harsh, hard finished yarn. As a plyer, this is the hardest kind of single to "fix"; it's hard on the machinery and on my hands. If, when you stop and look your work, you find these "pig-tails", you can either slow down your treadling, or speed up your hands to compensate.
When a single with too much twist is folded back on itself, it kinks wildly...
I was also asked for a few ideas about toilet paper rolls and what to do if they don't fit snugly over the ball winder. You have two options, depending on the diameter of the shaft.
The first option is to simply put the roll over the ball winder, then tape the bottom securely to the base of the winder to keep the roll from wandering up from the centrivical force.
The second option is slightly more involved, but more foolproof...
Cut the roll lengthwise....
Wrap the roll around the ball winder until overlaps and fits snugly (not too tight, or you'll have problems pulling it off after you're done)...
Then tape the edge closed. I find that electrical, duct, or masking tape works better on the cardboard than scotch tape.
Select a place to tuck the end of the single and start winding, keeping some tension on the yarn with your free hand. This creates a tidy, solid ball that doesn't wander on the roll.
Well, I hope this is helpful and answers some questions! Spinners: let me know if there are any other issues that might be helped by a photo Training Post!
