Successfully spinning your first yarns by hand is all about fibre preparation. The choices you make here will influence your spinning style and determine the qualities of your finished yarn.

We’re proud to have partnered with Louët to bring you two fibre prep tools that are indispensable to the dedicated hand spinner.

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Hand Carders by Louët

Louët hand carders combine ergonomic design with a lightness in hand.

You’ll comfortably create rolags, mini batts and rovings ideal for woollen-spun yarns.

Available in a fine carding cloth of 110 tpi, suitable for a spectrum of medium to fine fibres.

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Mini Combs by Louët

Louët mini combs are a compact option for de-hairing, blending and aligning your fibres for worsted spinning.

These combs are suitable for a spectrum of fine fibres.

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If you’re interested in exploring fibre prep and how it influences yarn characteristics we recommend these fantastic resources:

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WAITLIST

The Spinner’s Book of Fleece

$55.00

Add To Cart

Beth Smith introduces you to a range of spinning and fibre prep tools, providing guidance on choosing the right tool for your project.

She explores various combing and carding methods and shows you how these can be used to influence the look and feel of your spun yarns. Learn more…

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WAITLIST

Yarnitecture

$46.00

Add To Cart

Jillian Moreno delivers an in depth discussion on woollen and worsted yarns, presenting an amazing collection of spun samples to illustrate how fibre prep influences colour distribution and texture. Learn more…

More From Louët

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Introducing the S17

by Louët

The S17 is the longstanding workhorse of the Louët spinning wheel range.

It offers the beginner spinner an enjoyably predictable spinning experience without any finicky pre-spin setup or mid-spin twitchy tensioning issues.

And, for those with a bit more experience and perhaps spinning for speed and production, it’s big-hearted take-up and huge bobbin capacity definitely won’t disappoint.

It’s geared for three speeds to help you expertly manage twist entering the forming yarn. Start slow for a beginner or perhaps to spin a bulky art yarn, then increase your speed as your coordination improves and your interest in spinning a range of fibres and yarns grow.

The Irish tension drive system, where the main wheel drives the bobbin (rather than the flyer), is known for its ability to deliver consistent tension throughout an entire spin. This allows you to almost ‘set-and-forget’ creating a more meditative spinning experience.

Louët are highly regarded for their craftsmanship and commitment to functional design. The natural timber finish and contemporary aesthetic will no doubt appeal to the modern spinner.

And finally, at a great entry level price and the inclusion of Loom & Spindle’s ‘Beginner’s Wheel Spinning Kit’ you’ll have all the resources and tools at your fingertips to start spinning your first yarns.

Features You’ll Love

• An Irish tension drive system, well known for its simplicity and spinning consistency.

• An indispensable hooked flyer, designed to help you smoothly and completely fill bobbins, and importantly, the ability to lace the hooks to reduce yarn take-up when spinning finer threads.

• Fuss free bobbin changes, it’s as easy as releasing the flyer brake, parking the drive band and lifting the flyer and bobbin straight from the orifice.

• A handy drive-band brake at the back of the flyer shaft – a favourite design feature at Loom & Spindle! This means you can ‘park’ the drive-wheel when changing bobbins or the wheel is not in use.

• An inventive yet simple solution for attaching the leader yarn to the bobbin – just make a knot in the leader yarn and slip it into a pre-made slot on the bobbin shaft.

• An orifice diameter of 13mm that will accommodate a wide range of yarn thicknesses.

• With the same technical specifications as the Louët S10 Concept wheels there are a range of accessories available to customize your wheel for different spinning experiences.

• A classic minimalist design with contemporary feel that has well and truly stood the test of time.

Loom & Spindle’s S17 kit includes:

• S17 Spinning wheel (see full specifications here)

• 3 Irish tension bobbins

• Built-in Lazy Kate

• Self-assembly kit with 8 page step-by-step instruction manual

• Loom & Spindle’s ‘Beginner’s Wheel Spinning Kit’, includes:

3 x 50g locally grown and processed wool fibre
1 x How to Spin, by Beth Smith
1 x Loom & Spindle Leader Yarn 3 Pack
1 x Loom & Spindle Yarn Gauge

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S17 Spinning Wheel by Louët

Last week I launched the first Learn to Spin Kit for Loom & Spindle. I shared my journey on learning how to spin yarn (HERE) and some of the frustrations I experienced.

Part of these early frustrations were the result of not having a clear method for spinning yarn on a drop spindle, and not fully understanding how each action influenced the yarn I was spinning.

Over time one key insight emerged, I found it much easier to regulate the yarn I was producing when I had an understanding of the process and mechanics of making yarn.

The resulting method I developed for the Loom & Spindle Learn to Spin Kit builds on this by teaching you the sequence for spinning yarn on a drop spindle, and importantly explaining how each action can be used to control the process of forming a yarn - giving you confidence through understanding!

I’ve shared my method on how to spin yarn on a drop spindle below and included a FREE ‘take-home’ copy for you to download. You’ll find the link at the end of the post.

Good luck!

PS: Remember, your first yarns might not be exactly what you envisioned, but they will be your most important lessons.

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How To Spin Yarn: Six Simple Steps

Step 1

Draft a small amount of fibre and loop it under the spindle’s hook. 
Using your thumb and index finger, PINCH together the pre-drafted end and main fibre supply.

Step 2

Spin the spindle storing TWIST in the length of fibre between the hook and your fingertips.
PARK the spindle.

Step 3

With two hands, DRAFT from the fibre supply using your thumbs and index fingers. Carefully allow twist to enter the newly drafted fibre.
When the twist energy reduces, pinch the fibres and stop any further twist entering the fibre supply.

Step 4

Repeat steps two and three until the length of yarn is no longer comfortable to manage.

Step 5

Remove the yarn from the hook and wind it around the shaft of the spindle, leave enough length to wrap the yarn over the whorl and under the hook.

Step 6

Repeat the PINCH-TWIST-PARK-DRAFT sequence for the remaining fibre supply.
As the yarn forms, you will need to monitor the fibre carefully for your intended characteristics –Yarn weight, optimal twist, etc.

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THE PINCH-TWIST-PARK-DRAFT SEQUENCE

PINCH – The action of locking the fibres between your fingers to hold the twist energy back from the fibre supply.

TWIST – The energy added to the fibre when the you turn or spin the spindle. The twist holds the fibres together in the forming the yarn.

PARK – Refers to the action of setting down and securing the spindle so you have both hands free to draft the fibre. Suggestions for parking the spindle include holding the shaft of the spindle under your arm or between your knees.

DRAFT – This is the process of thinning the fibre supply by drawing fibres apart lengthwise. A suggestion for beginner spinners is to use two hands to draft the fibre. The hand closest to the spindle controls the amount of twist that enters the fibre supply. The other hand controls the draft, how much fibre is drawn out of the fibre supply.

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REATTACHING THE FIBRE SUPPLy

It’s likely at some stage during the spin you’ll need to reattach the fibre supply to the forming yarn. This can be challenging at first but with practice you’ll gain confidence.

To reattach the fibre, begin by untwisting the last bit of spun fibre. Pinch behind the unspun end so the twist can’t re-enter the fibre. Add any extra twist to the length of yarn behind your pinching fingers. This extra twist will be needed to reattach the fibre supply.

Place the drafting end of the fibre supply onto unspun end. Pinch the two ends together and gently draw back the fibre supply. Allow the twist to enter the drafting zone, locking the unspun end and fibre supply together.

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THANKs FOR READING!

This method is also available as a neat little PDF package.
Click the button below and get your FREE copy!

SAMPLE

Download Method

Free Download: Spinning Your First Yarns

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