The Spinning Technique

To successfully spin yarn or wool, you have to know the right technique and be associated with the common materials used for the approach. There are several kinds of spinning tools and materials that will help you make more yarns with good quality. Spinning is an art in itself and the quality of your weaving will also be affected by how you make yarn.

Spinning Wool

First, you need to prepare the wool. It is very easy to find carded wool or wool that is already brushed out and ready for spinning, at various craft and yarn stores. You can also find the needed materials online. Wool does not weigh a lot, so you will find that shipping from abroad is very easy, quick and affordable. Remove a section a few inches off the roving, then take a single end in each hand. Tug the wool loose. You will notice that the fibers will separate from one another, but not break. The wool will be less densely packed. Begin the spinning with the fiber initially loose. The yarn will become finer and you will have less lumps in the yarn.

The Drop Spindle

Prepare the drop spindle. You can use a leader yarn. Take some yarn then tie to the hook located at the top of the drop spindle. Position the loose end of the leader yarn on the end of the loosened wool. Pinch the fibers and leader yarn together, thereby allowing the drop spindle to suspend, then spin the drop spindle in a clockwise manner to start spinning. The fibers from the wool will start to draft right onto the leader yarn. You will then create the first thread of homemade yarn.

More on the Approach

As soon as the fibers are already spun together for a foot or so, you can stop then take out the tie from the leader yarn found on the spindle hook. Tie the end of the leader yarn with the new homespun yarn that is still connected to the spindle. Wind the rest of the leader yarn and some of the new yarn onto the spindle shaft. Wind up the shaft then catch using the hook, so that the yarn still hangs in a perpendicular manner to the floor.

Winding

The number of fibers that enter each segment while spinning will determine the consistency and thickness of the yarn. Take note of the draft zone. You should control the width of the completed work, since the yarn and spinning will attempt to pull several fibers as possible into the draft zone. Spin and inch the fibers to form the yarn. Once the thread gets too long for the arms, stop then wind onto the spindle, just as you did to the leader yarn.

Final Tips

Spin slow and allow your hand to maintain the yarn properly. Spinning should always be done in a clockwise manner. Set the twist by immersing the spun yarn in hot water for a few minutes. Never twist dry, but instead, pat dry then wrap in a towel before squeezing.