Navajo Plying: Understanding This Transformative Yarn Technique
When it comes to spinning yarn, many think of the classic two-ply or three-ply approach. But there's a technique that offers something uniquely flexible, beautiful, and clever: Navajo Plying, also known as Chain Plying. It turns a single strand into a perfectly balanced 3-ply yarn – no extra bobbins required. ✨
🔍 What is Navajo Plying?
Navajo plying is a spinning technique that uses just one single strand to create a 3-ply yarn. Instead of spinning three singles and plying them together, you use looped chains, similar to crochet chains, to create a triple-thick yarn from one strand.
The result:
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a perfectly balanced 3-ply yarn
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excellent color control – ideal for preserving hand-dyed gradients
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a round, smooth yarn profile
🎯 Navajo plying is especially popular with handspinners working with gradient or space-dyed fiber batts.
🧶 Benefits of the Technique
✅ Keeps color sequences intact – no muddling of shades
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✅ Produces springy, strong yarn
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✅ Simpler than traditional 3-ply spinning
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✅ No need for multiple bobbins or complex prep
💡 Heads-up: The looping can feel fiddly at first, but gets easier quickly with practice.
👣 Step-by-Step Guide: Navajo Plying on a Spinning Wheel
Prepare your single – pre-spun and ready to ply
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Use one hand to form a large loop
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Pull the loop through to create a chain (just like crochet)
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Begin plying:
– Spin the wheel as you would for regular plying
– Pull and chain in rhythm
– Keep your tension even and consistent
🎯 Pro Tip: Practice first with a smooth, light-colored yarn – it's easier to see what you're doing.
🌈 Advanced Tips & Creative Variations
Change loop length to create texture – short loops = more twist, long loops = smoother yarn
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Try art yarn styles by intentionally uneven chaining
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Use a spindle if you're confident – it works here too!
💡 Bonus: This technique works beautifully with hand-painted roving, maintaining sharp color transitions in your finished yarn.
📦 Project Ideas for Navajo-Ply Yarn
Textured shawls with crisp stitch definition
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Beanies with striping gradients
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Crochet bowls or baskets
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Accent yarns in contrast to solids
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Tunisian crochet with extra structure
✨ My Takeaway: Three-Ply Magic from One Strand
Navajo plying is spinning at its most efficient and elegant. It's like crocheting your yarn into itself – meditative, creative, and wonderfully practical. If you want to turn your single into a strong, color-honoring yarn, this method is worth mastering.
🧶 Have you tried Navajo Plying?
Show off your handspun yarn or join the conversation in my Facebook Group – I'd love to see your spinning journey!
#strickenimtrend #navajoplying #chainplying #spinningyarn #handspinninglove
Have a nice day!
Yours,
Kathrin ☀️🧶