Fractal Spinning Technique: From Roving to Yarn

Imagine a tapestry of colour woven into the very fabric of yarn itself. Fractal spinning transforms simple roving into complex, beautiful yarns with patterns as mesmerizing as the spirals of a seashell or the delicate symmetry of a snowflake. The allure of fractal spinning lies in its simplicity and the stunning visual effects it creates.

In this article, we will guide you through the process, from selecting the perfect roving to finishing your uniquely patterned yarn, ready to be transformed into a warm scarf or a cozy blanket. Let's explore how to turn roving into yarn that is truly a work of art.

Understanding Fractal Spinning

Fractal spinning is a unique and sophisticated method for creating handspun yarn with a beautifully balanced and visually appealing colour distribution. This spinning technique involves a length of roving that is split into sections, each of which is spun separately and then plied together. The resulting yarn maintains the integrity of the colour transitions while introducing a pleasing, repetitive pattern.

This method is particularly effective for maintaining colour gradients and creating self-striping yarns with a fractal-like effect. Fractal spinning leverages the principles of fractals, resulting in a yarn that exhibits a harmonious, repetitive colour pattern that can be especially striking when knitted or woven into finished projects.

Benefits of Fractal Spinning

Fractal spinning offers a distinctive ability to craft controlled colour themes throughout the yarn, setting it apart from traditional plying methods that can blend and dilute complex colour palettes. This technique celebrates each hue, ensuring they assert their presence distinctly within the finished yarn. The deliberate stripes and vibrant colour sequences that arise from fractal spinning are visually captivating and enhance the experience of knitting, crocheting, or weaving as the colours unfold in a rhythmic pattern.

Furthermore, fractal spinning is a canvas for spinners to showcase their creative flair. By dividing coloured combed tops and employing thoughtful drafting techniques during spinning, spinners can create extraordinary fractal batts and intricate colour transitions. This is especially evident when employing the "spin from the fold" method, which is central to fractal spinning, where spinners exercise precise control over the sequencing of colours, thereby preserving the clarity and integrity of each strand.

What You Need to Start Fractal Spinning

Fractal spinning, well-loved for its intricate results, requires a few essential tools that facilitate stunning outcomes. Here are the essential materials you need:

1. Roving or Combed Top: Opt for roving with distinct colour transitions for optimal effect. Explore our range of Malabrigo Cloud or Nube to find a colour palette to suit your style.
2. Spinning Wheel or Drop Spindle: Either tool is suitable for fractal spinning, with a spinning wheel offering greater control.
3. Weighing Scales: Ensure even fibre divisions for consistent colour repeats.
4. Storage and Labeling Method: Essential for organising and preserving the intended colour sequence during spinning.
5. Lazy Kate: Indispensable for keeping singles organised and tangle-free during plying.
6. Niddy Noddy or Skein Winder: Use these tools to wind and set your finished yarn neatly.

With these tools and a commitment to precision, fractal spinning enriches your crafting experience, allowing you to create yarns adorned with vibrant colours and captivating patterns.

A Step-by-Step Guide for Fractal Spinning

Fractal spinning involves a series of thoughtful steps to achieve stunning yarn outcomes. In this section, we will give you a detailed guide to mastering fractal spinning, from preparation to finishing.

1. Preparing the Roving

Start by splitting your roving lengthwise into two (or more if you desire a 3 or 4 ply yarn) sections. One section should be spun as it is, preserving the long colour repeats. The other section should be split again, and possibly again, depending on how many colour repetitions you desire in your finished yarn.

• First Half: Keep this half intact. It will be spun into a single, preserving the long colour runs.
• Second Half: Split this half into narrower strips. These narrower strips will be spun individually, resulting in shorter colour repeats. Typically, the more you split the fibre, the more heathered and subdued the striping will appear, while fewer repeating smaller-scale strips will yield a bolder appearance in your knitting.
• Additional sections: If spinning greater than 2 plies, split the 3rd section twice as many times as the 2nd half for best results. If there's a 4th section, split that twice as many times as the 3rd, and so on. Aim to split your sections evenly. Using scales for accuracy to minimize left-over yarn on the bobbins after plying is a good idea.

2. Spinning the Singles

Take the intact half of the roving and spin it into a single. Aim for a consistent thickness, and allow the roving's natural colour transitions to dictate the appearance of your single.

Spin each of the narrower strips from the second half of the roving onto a second bobbin. Since these strips are narrower, the colour transitions will occur more frequently in the single. Ensure each strip is spun in the same direction and with the same thickness for consistency.

Note: If spinning a 3 or 4 ply, follow the instructions above using new bobbins for each section.

3. Plying the Singles

Plying the singles is where the magic of fractal spinning happens. Ply the two singles together, combining the long colour repeats of the first single with the shorter, more frequent transitions of the second single. This juxtaposition creates the fractal effect in the final yarn.

• Set Up Your Lazy Kate: Place your singles on a lazy kate to keep them organized and tangle-free during plying.
• Ply Consistently: Maintain an even tension and speed while plying to ensure a balanced yarn.

We will discuss more about plying techniques for fractal yarns in the next section of this article.

4. Finishing the Yarn

Once plying is complete, remove the yarn from the bobbin and wind it onto a niddy noddy or skein winder. This helps set the twist and provides a convenient way to wash and finish the yarn.

• Wash the Yarn: Gently wash your skein in lukewarm water with a mild soap or wool wash. Avoid agitation to prevent felting. Rinse thoroughly.
• Set the Twist: After washing, remove excess water by rolling the skein in a towel and applying gentle pressure. Hang the skein to dry, and add a weight at the bottom if needed to help set the twist.

Fractal spun yarn is stunning in projects showcasing its unique colour patterns. It is ideal for knitting, crocheting, and weaving, where the fractal effect can be fully appreciated. Consider using it for items like scarves, shawls, and other accessories where the colour changes will be on full display.

Diving Deeper into Plying Techniques for Fractal Yarns

Fractal spinning blends colour theory with hand spinning, offering versatile ply techniques to create unique and visually intriguing yarns. It is a method of spinning that empowers spinners to explore a spectrum of ply techniques, each offering its own artistic possibilities and enhancing the allure of handspun creations. Here’s how each method enhances your crafting:

Two-Ply Yarn: Enhancing Colour Dynamics

Two-ply fractal yarns begin by splitting roving in half. One half is spun as is, maintaining long colour repeats, while the other half is divided into thinner strips for shorter, more frequent bursts of colour. Plying these singles together creates a yarn where one ply shows longer colour stretches, contrasting with the second ply’s quicker changes. This contrasting scale gives two-ply fractal yarns their distinctive appearance, perfect for highlighting knit, crochet, and woven patterns.

Three-Ply Yarn: Adding Complexity

Three-ply fractal yarns offer more profound complexity by dividing the fibre braid into three sections of varying widths. One section remains a single with long colour patterns, while the others are spun into singles with progressively shorter changes. Plying these results in a yarn with intricate self-similar patterns across different scales, offering a rich texture and unpredictable colour shifts for adventurous spinners.

Chain Ply Fractals

It is not necessarily what one might automatically consider when planning a fractal spin, which is known for softening striping and colour transitions, but it is worth considering for the effects you can achieve when the yarn is later worked up. The colour transitions will be bold, and they will have an interesting effect when knitted, woven, or crocheted. If you are planning on doing this, simply spin your additional sections onto the same bobbin as your first single.

Using Fractal Yarns in Knitting and Crochet Projects

Fractal yarns offer a unique visual allure to knitting and crochet projects with captivating colour transitions. These yarns excel in patterns that highlight stitch details, allowing both the colours and the intricate textures to shine harmoniously. Here’s how you can incorporate fractal yarns into your creative endeavours:

1. Shawls and Wraps: Utilise the long colour transitions of fractal yarns to create stunning waves of colour across large, flat surfaces, making them ideal for eye-catching shawls and wraps.
2. Hats and Caps: The short bursts of colour in fractal yarns add dynamic interest to smaller projects such as beanies or caps, injecting personality and flair into everyday accessories.
3. Scarves and Cowls: Opt for simple stitch patterns to showcase the complex colour variations inherent in fractal yarns. Let the yarn take centre stage as it weaves intricate designs effortlessly into your scarves and cowls.
4. Sweaters and Cardigans: Transform a basic sweater or cardigan design with the striking visual effects of fractal yarns. The subtle colour shifts create a sophisticated look without the need for intricate patterning, enhancing the appeal of your garment.

When working with fractal yarns, simplicity in stitch selection is key. By choosing straightforward patterns, you allow the yarn’s natural beauty to unfold, highlighting its mesmerising colour sequences and enhancing the overall impact of your handcrafted creations.

Craft Unique Yarns with Fractal Spinning

Fractal spinning is truly a beautiful technique that blends art and mathematics to create visually stunning yarn. By carefully splitting, spinning, and plying your roving, you can produce yarn with a beautiful, repetitive colour pattern that enhances any finished project. Whether you are an experienced spinner or a beginner looking to try something new, fractal spinning offers a rewarding and creative way to transform roving into a unique, handcrafted yarn.

Browse Thread Collective for a wide selection of Malabrigo fibre, or craft your own unique fractal colourways by mixing and matching from our natural coloured or dyed fibres. You'll also find all the spinning tools you may require to create your own yarns.