Knitting and spinning are basically solitary endeavors. With maybe the exception of the gossip wheel, and how many of us have one of them, it is one to a wheel. We spin alone. That’s what makes SNBs, Guilds, Spin-ins, whatever kind of get together so valuable. I always come away with a little more knowledge. Sometimes it doesn’t sink in right away. But, eventually something I’ve seen or heard comes niggling it’s way back into my thoughts. Case in point, last summer I took an Alden Amos workshop. Those of you who were there know what I mean when I say that I left feeling like it was interesting, maybe entertaining, but not terribly informative (unless you were anxious to learn how to make rope). Later, (days or maybe even weeks later) as I started to use the long draw, the only technique that stuck with me from the workshop, I realized that I had learned something useful and wonderful. Before that, I thought I used the long draw. Mine was medium, maybe, definitely not long. My draw lengthened. Aaha!
This weekend I had another aaaha moment. During the week I had read a little book on spinning, worsted vs woolen. How to. It mentioned long draw, said everyone should learn to use it when spinning from the fold. I didn’t like to spin from the fold, UNTIL Saturday. My friends on either side of me at the guild were using a short draw and from the fold. Same as always, beautiful, uniform, fine yarn. As I walked around, I saw a new member spinning very fine and from the fold. The difference was that she was holding the wool wrapped around her middle finger. It looked so orderly, I knew I’d use it. Since I’d only brought a spindle with me I had to wait ’til I got home. I LOVE IT. Who’d have guessed. Combined with the long draw, and now I mean as long as I can pull my arm back, it is my new favorite ‘way to spin’. Fast. Smooth. Simple. Something I just never noticed and never gave a thought to. One more tool for the basket, so to speak. It’s great when things fit together, huh?
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13 responses to “spinning techniques”
It’s fun to have hobbies that continue to give us a chance to learn. It’s one of the things I love about knitting. Now I have a long way to go before knowing much about spinning but a new process will be so much fun to learn.
I will have to try that…my “long draw” leaves something to be desired!
Middle finger, huh? Neat.
I just don’t get spinning from the fold. I’ve looked at web tutorials but then when I try it, I can’t figure out how to control the feed with the roving laid over my finger, and I end up with a tornadoed clump of wool.
And we never stop learning – that’s the best part.
I’ve spun for the fold before, but not very well. I like the sound of the middle finger, I never thought of that but I’ll be giving it a try.
I didn’t know you could combine long draw and spinning from the fold, though I guess it makes sense. I haven’t worked my way up to long draw yet, but I learned to spin from the fold at my very first lesson. I wonder if that would be a good way to ease into long-draw–combining it with a familiar technique?
Anyway, this was a very useful post–thanks!
From the fold always seemed less controlled to me. Then I stopped playing. I guess I need to go back and try it…can’t remember if I used index or middle finger.
It’s those “aaha!” moments that make me love spinning…year after year I still discover new or different techniques that keep the craft fresh….
I would love to learn how to long draw properly….perhaps you can teach me sometime 😉
When I’m speed-spinning I’ll often spin from the fold without bothering to put a finger in the slot. I just clutch the wad of folded sliver loosely and go! What is key is the shape of the drafting triangle. With good top and my Amos electric I can spin long-draw as fast as I can zoom my arm back and forth. What is best is when the fiber preparation is so perfect that take-up can be faster than the drawing back — the yarn RACES into the wheel.
Some people have a stronger sense of connection to their ring fingers, actually, and the tendon that keeps the middle and ring fingers close can facilitate a relaxed hand position for holding the folded fiber mass.
The one thing you want to avoid is having a tense hand, especially a tense pinching of thumb to index finger, because that can lead to CTS. Shake out those shoulders and crank up the Santana!
You learn something new everyday and sometimes it’s actually something useful! I love when things just click and suddenly, it feels like you know where you are and what to do next because this is where you were headed all along.
It’s what happened when I wrapped my yarn around my middle fingers instead of my pointer finger while I knit.
I finally got to see long draw in action watching Judith MacKenzie McCuin’s spinning DVD. Haven’t tried it yet, though. Was spinning some silk last night from the fold, I’ll try the middle finger tonight with it.