A student is attending Fibres West https://www.fibreswest.com later this month and asked me about the features I look for in a Plying Kate.
Free Standing: The ability to position the Kate a distance from the wheel helps to even out the twist.
Compact: Can be broken down for easy storage.
Angled Bobbin Rods: The rods sit at a 30-45° angle.
Solid: Counterbalances the angled rods so there is no need to clamp the Kate down.
Advantages to an Angled Kate:
- Passive tension: The angle creates natural, passive braking as the yarn feeds off the bobbins.
- No Brake System Needed: This eliminates the need for the fishing-line & spring brake system.
- Greater Control: Gives the hands control so they can make subtle adjustments to the tension as needed during plying.
- Improved Stability: When plying from heavy, full bobbins vertical rods can allow wobble. Angled rods load the bobbin against the rod, helping to stabilize rotation.
- I find my plying is more even when I use an untensioned, angled Kate. I think this is because instead of relying on a preset brake band tension, my hands control of the tension, allowing them to make subtle adjustments to the tension throughout the plying process.
If any of you attending Fibres West is interested in flax you should try to attend the lecture by Karla Sandwith. She will be sharing her experience growing and spinning flax as well as weaving and indigo dyeing with her handspun linen yarn.