Because Fleegle Asked...

Dear Fleegle,

Ask and you shall recieve. 

Here are more detailed instructions for the PseudoRolag technique.

First, kick the cat off of the fiber.

Next, pull off wisps of top and lay them in a row.  In this example, I wanted the striping to make short color repeats, so I pulled off a very narrow bit of the top.   If you want longer repeats, just pull off wider bits of top.  You're the boss.

Way too wide to easily roll up, so...

'

Scootch in the sides

Then roll it up.  There is a second stick in there - it's hard to see.

Here, you can see the blue and the purple blending nicely.  In a few days, I'll post another color-blending sample.  This is where I'd like to do some more experimentation, with color blending,

You can make small, dainty P-Rolags, or you can make big honking ones.  (Sorry for the awful photo, but I think you can get an idea of the size of this monster.)

This one has angelina and black alpaca added.

Tidying up...

I use a big knitting needle, and one which is short and very narrow - just because I have them - you can use whichever sizes you like.  You'll have to trust that there's another one in there - it doesn't stick out so it doesn't show up in the photo.

Ready to go!

Here is a photo which better shows the "two knitting needles" thing -

Whatever you've rolled up in there will draft out when you spin.  Use as heavy or as light a hand with the "extras" as you'd like.  Only experimentation will tell if your blend is actually draftable.

Here are some wacky tests - I had lots of fun with these.

Wool and already-spun yarns and string.  The grey yarn in the middle was already knitted, so it's all ziggy zaggy.  Of course, this would be lost the instant that the finished yarn got wet, but still, it was fun to play with.

I like to lay a very thin layer of wool on top of the "odd stuff" - it makes it a little bit easier to roll up.

FUN!!!

Picked Mohair...

I didn't take the photo, but I laid wool on top of the mohair, then rolled.  The yarn ended up sort of boucley

Wool, Cottswold locks..

Another fine layer of wool laid on top of the locks...

 This one was fun.  As I recall, it was tricky to midwife the locks through the plying stage, but they drafted out of the P-Rolag just fine.  My notes tell me to remember to fluff out the butt end of the locks first, so now you know, too.

HAVE FUN!!!

Your pal,
Rosemary