![]() You want it a bit on the kinky side because it will relax a bit in the plying process. This is called a ply back test, and shows you how kinky (or underspun) your single is. Watch how when I release my right thumb it allows that extra twist to travel up, releasing that energy into the drafted fibers, turning it into yarn.Īn easy way to test to see if your yarn has enough twist in it, is to fold it back on itself and let it hang. I am positioning my left thumb so that it will now stop the twist from getting past it. (Your thumb’s job here is to stop the twist from traveling into the fiber.) I am now going to carefully draft out fiber from my roving and let that twist (energy) travel up it. See how I have a lot of extra twist built up in this photo? I’ve spun the spindle until I have extra twist in my yarn. Which is why beginners find the park and draft method easier! ![]() It is reminiscent of patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time, so it understandably takes some practice. This simply means that as you draft the fibers, the spindle is also spinning. When you build up extra twist, “park” the spindle – under your thigh, under your arm, between your feet, etc – and slowly draft out the fibers.Īs you get better at spinning and drafting, you’ll be able to move on to suspended spinning. Generally speaking, beginners find it easier to do the park and draft method, which means that you will spin the spindle (in a clockwise motion, if you’re looking down at it) until you build up enough twist (energy) in the already spun yarn located between the hook and your thumb. There are two methods of using a drop spindle: park and draft, or suspended spinning. Tip! I find it helps consistency if I leave a good 4 – 5″ of yarn above the hook after wrapping, so do not wrap everything you’ve got around the shaft. ![]() Voila! You are now ready to start actually spinning. This keeps it from slipping off as you spin. Twist a bit of the fiber around the shaft, directly below the whorl.īring the yarn back up over the whorl, and wrap around the hook TWICE. Now that you have a bit of leader fiber, you’re ready to start spinning! You can see that it is ONE strand of yarn, now doubled back on itself and twisted some more. (Spin the spindle towardyou, the spindle should be turning in a clockwise motion if you’re looking down at it.) Hook the yarn you just made and start spinning it back on itself. Twist and twist and twist some more until yarn starts to form. ![]() ![]() Here’s how:Ĭarefully draft out some fiber from the roving. If you do not want to start with a leader, that’s okay too! In this example I am starting with a piece of the roving itself, twisted so that it will not break. A leader is a long piece of string or yarn (can be just about anything) attached to the shaft of your spindle so that you can start fresh. Things to consider on a drop spindle:įirst, you’ll want to decide whether or not you will use a leader. Great for beginners while learning the process. Even as an advanced spinner, you may prefer using a drop spindle for various reasons, including portability and ease of use, among others.įor this tutorial today I am using Romney fiber and a top whorl spindle (pictured left) from this Beginner’s Drop Spindle Set I picked up on Etsy. As a beginner, it gives you more control over the process, letting you spin as slowly as needed while learning the intricacies of drafting fiber, building up twist (energy), and ultimately spinning a gorgeous, balanced yarn. In this article we will discuss how to use one, so if you are brand new to drop spinning, this article is for you!ĭrop spinning offers many advantages to that of spinning on a full size spinning wheel. There are many benefits of spinning yarn using a drop spindle. ![]()
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