This long journey started last summer with these little Corriedale mini batts that I washed, dyed and then spun.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKo-EvuX9ricj8Q2Zs8o9xXBEc3BWFlD4TuizxoMbvPosBdmN9hz9adAYIRVKrDjvPhdHMqhqYY4AIXxRly8EBKzis2VoarGicv7hhsb_Us6jK8MJWsxAgIjd4aehT2RbpPnJcK5LQPs/s400/3815175013_bfe1842ceb_m.jpg)
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I spent fruitless hours trying to learn how to Navajo ply so I could do justice to my hand dyed colors.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l1HhkqdMvNbF2HvZFml6p7ixxu-uRcqkgP1uiucn-8zArqHZbb66Ct6ouYRbulgNWbsnSJ8AvHxtQm9UMZc_7mwgxGtqD5LzPVSDoDy0K2JmDqMbZLj2G81EcOs7ZWSuJJXGLspNqps/s400/100_7370.jpg)
Then, while cleaning off my coffee table last night, I spied this copy of Spin Off in which Abby Franquemont, in an excerpt from
Respect the Spindle, demonstrates plying techniques and something just clicked.
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In minutes I had my mini batt singles chain plyed into something
almost acceptable. I say
almost because the yarn is not dry or knit into a sample and I certainly don't want to anger the yarn gods with my lack of humility. My last few samples came out looking like Curly Sue on a very bad hair day.
I am still waiting for my copy of Respect the Spindle to arrive. There is a Ravelry forum dedicated to seeing who will be the last to receive their pre-ordered signed copy. I ordered mine in October. Abby has had tons of issues getting the copies out and since fiber folk are the nicest people on the planet there is not a single snark in any of the 3293 posts. Amazing. My little sample proves that this must be a book certainly worth waiting for. And waiting for. Only now the wait has become even harder still.