i am trying to weave cotton dish towels from the book ridged heddle weaving.  i had trouble understanding the whole 8/2 cotton yarn.  tha t is how i found this site. which i still don't u nderstand fully is the seecond number the number ply?  

ok the real reason for the post i bought peaches and cream 100% cotton and tried weaving them with this because we don't have good selection for yarn wwheere i live.  when i weave with it you can't beat the yarn without huge gaps between each weft.  i have reesorted to using a fork to eliminate the gaps.  then someoone said the gaps were suppose to be there they said when it shrinks they will disappear.  i am having a hard time understanding that.  cans anyone offer words of wisdom and encouragement?  thanks