Hi Dona, There's a big world of threads to learn about, and many variations in measuring.
Each variety of thread has it's own numbering system. Generally, when listed as xx/y the first number is the size of one ply and the second number is the number of plies used. Fresia 60/2 and 60/3 would use the same thread but have a different number of plies. The 3 ply would be thicker than the 2 ply. And, yes, you can get a different look or feel on lace made with the two threads. 3 ply would be rounder and be sturdier. 2 ply could lie smoother. The purpose of a lace could help decide how many plies should be in the thread. DMC Cordonnet that we use alot for beginners has six plies. It's big enough to see what each thread is doing and is too sturdy to break. Some threads just have one number listed. It usually is the single thickness size and has two plies. Read the label or check the end of the thread. There's always an exception to this rule. I urge you to get a copy of Brenda Paternoster's book Threads for Lace....any edition of it. There are 4 out, I think, but even the first one (smallest one) would give you a world of information on the comparative sizes of various threads. Cotton thread is numbered differently from Linen thread, and again so is Silk thread. And even within a fibre, the different companies use different numbering systems. Brenda has taken all these threads and measured them against a set standard (wraps per centimeter) to get the comparative sizes, then listed them in her book. By comparing the wraps (how many thicknesses it takes to cover a set distance), you can see if two threads are almost the same size, or very different, and can figure out how much different. This helps in finding threads of a certain thickness, or can help in deciding how much to enlarge or shrink a pattern to fit a certain thread. You can probably find several thread discussions in the archives of the List. The subject comes up frequently since thread is a major part of lace. Alice in Oregon -- with sunshine but only moderately hot this week. ----- Original Message ---- From: Dona B. <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2009 10:51:33 AM Subject: [lace] threads - sizes and plies I have a question regarding threads and their plies. What would be the difference in say a Fresia 60/2 and a 60/3? I understand plies from a spinners/knitters point of view- I prefer to make and knit with a 3 ply as I like the more "round" yarn-particularly if I'm wanting to knit something with a lot of stitch definition. Are there particular types of lace that benefit from a yarn that "mashes" down better (as I assume a 60/2 would) and others that benefit from the added firmness of a 3 ply? I guess my question is, if I'd determined that a pattern required a Fresia 60 what would make me choose a 2 ply or a 3 ply? Of course, I'm assuming that a 60/2 and 60/3 are the same size -that is occupy the same amount of space, and that the 3 ply is made with each single much smaller than the singles in a 2 ply and perhaps spun more tightly. Then again my assumptions could be quite wrong. (wouldn't be the first time ;-) Dona Bushong For the most part all moved in and ready to make lace again after our move from MD to Groton, CT The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected] - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]
