A core yarn, as the name implies, is a yarn that has a core,
or base thread, around which fibre is spun.
I believe that the first time I ever spun fibre onto a core
thread was to facilitate the spinning of a very short fibre,
in this case, silk noil. In those long days ago, I had not heard
of spinning with a long draw, and my method for spinning all
fibres was the same, that is short draw, which is the method
usually taught to beginner spinners.
Now this is a difficult and most tedious method if one is
spinning a very short fibre eg. Cotton, silk noil, camel, cashmere,
etc. So to have a firm base or core thread running through my
hands, onto which I layered/spun/wrapped my fibre, both speeded
up the process, and at the same time gave me a stronger and more
stable yarn. In this case, I was simply using a core to help
me with the "hard to spin" fibres. As well it gave
me a feeling of confidence and security as I was spinning. I
did not want to lose the character of the fibre I was using,
therefore my choice of a core thread would have been one that
was fine, and a good colour match.
A bobbin of core spun yarn consists of two elements- The core
plus the spun fibre. However, it should be considered as singles,
it is not a balanced yarn. If you spin another bobbin of core
spun "singles" and ply these together, you will have
a balanced 2 ply core yarn, strong and stable. The core will
not be visible but it is there acting as an "anchor".
From this I ventured further- What if my core did not match?
It could indeed be distinct contrast to the fibre I was spinning.
So I tried this spinning with cotton fibre. This time I did not
bother about completely wrapping with the fibre as previously
and I let glimpses of the coloured core shine through. I soon
discovered that such a variety of novelty yarns can be created
by spinning on cores of different size, colour and texture etc.
commercially spun yarns come in dazzling varieties of colour,
fuzzy, smooth, shiny, matt, sparkly etc. and can be a way introducing
real creativity and interest to your hand spinning. Of course,
if you wish, you may spin your own core thread. A bulky yarn
can easily be achieved by spinning fibre onto a thicker core
and making a 2 ply . To prevent overtwist when you are wrapping
fibre onto a core, set the band drive on your spinning wheel
on the lowest drive ratio to allow your hands extra time to draft
and wrap the fibres onto the core.
Here however I offer some advice. Fibre spun onto a core and
not plied produces an unbalanced yarn with the bias in one direction
and is not suitable for knitting, but can be used for weaving.
Wash the yarn to set the twist. Plying with a thin binder thread
(it can be the same yarn as the core) will balance your yarn
and will also help to hold the wrapped fibres in place. Always
check the direction of twist in the core you are using and spin
in the appropriate direction. Actually it is worth experimenting
and finding out for yourself the different effects obtained by
spinning both S and Z directions of twist- you may be surprised,
great fun.
A fuzzy yarn works better as a core than a very smooth silky
one, because the wrapping fibres will stick better to the core.
Do remember to wash the core spun, singles or plied, to finish
and set the twist.
Think of the cones of yarn that you may have accumulated in
the cupboard- what inspiration! Go to it and discover all those
creative talents!
Further reading - Spinning Designer Yarns: Diane Varney, Interweave
Press, 1987, U.S.A.
This book is available in the Handweavers and Spinners Guild
of Victoria Library