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OOAK Batt Spring Time Limited Edition

Wraps Per Inch or WPI

Wraps per inch is a method of determining yarn weight. Knowing the wraps per inch helps fibre artists choose the perfect pattern for their yarn or the perfect yarn for their chosen pattern.

WPI is determined by wrapping a yarn around either a specialized Wraps Per Inch tool or around a ruler.

Too Cute Sheep WPI tool from Katrinkles 

Start by wrapping the yarn from one end evenly around the tool or ruler. Make sure not to overlap the strands so that your results are accurate. Once you have filled the space or an inch marking on a ruler count how many wraps you have.

I like using my little tool here. I find it easier to keep the yarn aligned and in place then if I were using a ruler.

I also like that it has the weights and their corresponding titles listed right there. The yarn I am measuring here is 10 WPI and is between a Worsted and DK weight.

Yarn weight can also be used to help determine needle size!

Alpaca was my first fibre love. 

I found the only Alpaca Farm on Newfoundland and I was in love.

Why was I in love... is was sooooo soft!

As we continued to travel across the country my husband and I made a point of visiting as many Alpaca farms as possible. We even considered buying land and owning our own animals... maybe one day. For now I am lucky to get my Alpaca from a wonderful farm in British Columbia.

This past spring I helped with shearing and got to pick the best fleeces.

I like to work with Alpaca because it has a different quality from sheeps wool. It does not have grease in it, but it is super dusty. I wash all my alpaca first and make sure to wear an apron or have a cloth down when I spin it. I love working with high quality soft alpaca. Like any fibre you want to touch before you buy or find a reputable source. All alpaca has guard hair, the best alpacas have been bred to have a finer guard hair that blends with the softer hairs in their coat. Dehairing alpaca is not necessary if the guard hairs are the same diameter as the regular hairs.

My favourite way to spin Alpaca is straight from the lock. I like the thick and thin quality I can achieve and especially like the soft fuzziness the final yarn has once the twist is set.