How Your Spinning Wheel Spins

Handspinning Twist and Tension

Learning to spin a fine yarn, with just the right amount of twist for the particular fibre, is a delicate balance between drafting the correct amount of fibre, treadling your foot at the appropriate speed, and adjust the tension on your wheel.

To understand how your spinning wheel controls twist and tension, perform the following tests using 2 plied yarns. I used 2 cotton yarns, in contrasting colours and tied the ends to the leader yarn that was threaded through the orifice of the wheel. For each experiment, I spun the wheel in the same direction, to the right(clockwise). I treadled slowly, trying to maintain an even treadling speed.

Spindle Whorl - Largest Groove

Spinning wheels generally have 2 or 3 different sized grooves on the spindle whorl. Start with the drive band on the largest groove. Holding the 2 yarns in your right hand, ply them together to the right. Maintain an slow even treadling and allow the spinning wheel to draw the yarns onto the bobbin. Notice that while spinning, the yarns are being drawn from your hand, through the orifice, and onto the bobbin. At the same time, they are being twisted together. After spinning a few yards, hold the yarns together with your thumb and forefinger (so they don't untwist) and make note of the number of twists per inch in the plied yarn.

Spindle Whorl - Middle Groove

Slip the Drive band onto the middle groove of the spindle whorl. Begin to treadle again, at the same speed as previously. Note that the yarns are being twisted together more tightly, although the speed of the draw onto the bobbin remains the same. After spinning for a few yards, again pinch the yarns together between your thumb and index finger, and make note of the twists per inch of the plied yarn.

Spindle Whorl - Smallest Groove

Slip the Drive band onto the smallest groove of the spindle whorl. Repeat the step above, maintaining an even, slow treadling speed. Notice that the amount of twist has increased. Again, spin a few yards, and note the number of twists per inch of the plied yarn.

Scotch Tension and the Brake

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Handspinning Books

Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning (Teach Yourself Visually Consumer) This visual guide shows you the basics, beginning with the tools and fibers, and takes you through spinning, plying, making novelty yarns, using exotic fibers, dyeing, and more. UK: Teach Yourself Visually Handspinning

The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook: More Than 200 Fibers, from Animal to Spun Yarn This covers almost every sheep breed in the world � from the longwool breeds of the United Kingdom to the Tasmanian merino, the Navajo churro, the northern European Faroese, and dozens and dozens more. It also includes goats, camelids (such as alpacas, llamas, and vicunas), bison, horses, musk oxen, rabbits, and even dogs. UK: Fleece and Fiber Source Book

The Whole Craft of Spinning: From the Raw Material to the Finished Yarn Everything you need to know from set-up to finished product in order to create distinctive yarns for use in knitting, weaving, crocheting, needlepoint, embroidery, and macrame. UK: Whole Craft of Spinning

In Sheep's Clothing A comprehensive look at the characteristics of wool of 100 breeds of sheep, this guide gives special attention to fleece characteristics, methods of preparation and spinning, and best end use. UK: In Sheep's Clothing

The Knitter's Book of Wool: The Ultimate Guide to Understanding, Using, and Loving this Most Fabulous Fiber The vast world of sheep and their wool into the language and context of knitting. UK: Knitters Book of Wool

The Intentional Spinner Offering a blend of technical knowledge, history, and easy-to-use tips, this inspiring collection of spinning wisdom deftly explores the three fundamental areas of yarn production: understanding fibers, managing yarn structure, and making yarns that precisely meet the spinner's needs. UK: Intentional Spinner

Spin Control Focusing at first on the spinning wheel, emphasis is placed on the importance of adjusting and customizing the wheel for best results. UK: Spin Control

Intertwined: The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns, and Creative Spinning (Handspun Revolution) Experimental, handspun yarns, and includes recipes for handspun yarns, project ideas for knitters and crocheters, tips on how to use one-of-a-kind handspun yarns UK: Intertwined

Spindle Spinning

Productive Spindling A look at top whorl, bottom whorl and Turkish spindle methods to boost your techniques for efficiency and make productivity fun UK: Productive Spindling

Spinning in the Old Way A guide to readers in the fast-track, low-cost, high-quality approach to spinning. No spinning wheel required. UK: Spinning in the Old Way

Respect the Spindle UK: Respect the Spindle

Respect the Spindle With step-by-step instructions, this essential manual details the basic steps of spinning and then advances to the more complicated spinning wheel,

Learn to Spin Drop Spindle Kit - Dyed A drop spindle and spinning fiber, everything you need to get started with handspinning.

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