Going Loopy
My first efforts in spinning bouclé were pretty ugly, but this is my more recent attempt:
Spinning loop bouclé is something I need, and want, to practice. There’s a grace to be had in whipping mohair singles around a core yarn in just the right way so that it forms those pretty loopy circles.
This was my three-step process. Spin crazy handpainted adult mohair top into a Z-singles (spinning clockwise). Then take those singles and “ply” it together with an already plied core yarn (I used black wool from the school stash) — this is plying counterclockwise or “S”. When I say “ply”, I really mean pushing the mohair (held in the left hand) at right angles to the core yarn (held in the right hand) so that it wraps around loosely and forms little loops. Finally, take that loopy plied yarn and ply it again clockwise with a binder thread (I used copper-coloured metal thread).
I usually run in to problems with bouclé because I spin the initial mohair singles too thinly. Then when I try plying it with the core yarn, it refuses to loop and instead plies back on itself forming little “eyelash” bits. So, I just need to remember to spin a little thicker and not so hard twisted. Ta da, yarn that looks like Christmas lights.
Tags: loop bouclé, novelty yarn
Well, the results look quite impressive to me. I try to visualize your technique and I cannot even conceive of the hand motions you have to be making. I think I’ll stick with machine plied boucle for the time being.
That’s amazing! So pretty.
Wow - that is so colorful and bright, I love it. Thanks for the step-by-step on how you accomplish this, its something I’d like to try someday, you make it sounds relatively simple.
It’s so pretty. Nice work!
Hehe, it looks like somehting you’d find at a street market in Singapore!
It looks great, and I’m sure it’s waaaay more complicated than you just described it.
Looks very cool! Great job.
You made such pretty yarn.
Wow, that is really gorgeous! I love the technique and your colors are stupendous. I should try boucle sometime, though I can’t imagine knitting with it. What do you plan do to with it? It is so pretty in its own right!
It really does look like Christmas lights! Or at least tinsel. Makes me want to hang it on my tree (I have a tree up year-round that I decorate for the various holidays. Currently it is decked out for Easter)!
Gorgeous. My wheel is sitting at home waiting for me - fresh off the UPS truck today. I hope that someday I’ll be able to spin as beautifully as you.
Beautiful!!! I am still spinning old 2-ply white merinos… soooo classical! I’ll take my time!
Looks very nice! How does it feel using adult mo’? I’ve avoided adult because I was afraid of prickles.
Wow, what a difference between this time and your first try! These look great. I think I’d have to see it done to really get it, I can’t seem to picture what to do.
The yarn looks great and seems like the loops are perfectly spaced. Have you tried knitting any of it up?
I love it! How does it knit up? I bet the colors look even nicer in person.
Your boucle looks great! Wonderful job.
Gorgeous!
so pretty! and the colours are perfect! What are you going to create with it?
it’s beautiful!!
Beautiful work. I like the metallic accent.
Your boucle yarn is fantastic - I love the bit of green to make the marine colours pop. And the sparkle is fun.
It’s gorgeous! They really do look like Christmas lights.
Gee, I’m totally impressed! I doubt I could make a boucle as perfect even though I’ve been spinning for almost as long as you’ve been around, Felicia. It’s too gorgeous. Pat yourself on the back!
Gorgeous work!
This sounds complicated, but the results are so pretty! I love boucle yarns. There’s a part of me that is just itching to try spinning, and you’re photos always motivate me to consider it further. LOL - My partner thinks you’re a bad influence, so I remind him how much enjoyment he gets from the end-products!
nice try! pretty loops!
i had been trying boucle. it was more succesful when i do it mindlessly than when i use a deliberated effort. does your loop want to stay in place?
It’s beautiful !!
It is beautiful. I have not moved beyond a two ply yarn and my, that boucl?© looks really challenging. What will you knit with it?
Handspun!!!!…Stunning!
Handspun!!!…stunning!
I hate to gush and just say me too…but wow, that yarn is beautiful! I would love to spin boucle like that! Wowwie, wow, wow.
Wow Felicia, this is one of the most beautiful fiber photos I’ve ever seen. What an accomplishment - breathtaking really, when you think about it, and I’m sure you have. I love this. Completely love it! Not just the photo but my gosh, you spun boucle. I don’t know what you see but it looks just perfect to me.
Oh at this moment, this is my favorite. I just can’t stop looking at it.