How to Use a Spinning Wheel

Most thread and yarn making is done in large factories, but spinning wheels are still in use, especially among artisans who loom their own fabric or create their own custom yarn blends. Interested in creating a truly handmade sweater or garment? Here's how to use a spinning wheel to make your own thread or yarn.

Things You'll Need

• Spinning wheel
• Fiber to spin into thread or yarn
• Flicker brush
• Pair of handcards
• Pair of combs

Instructions

1. Select the fiber that you want to spin. Most beginners have better success with a coarser wool fiber than with something more delicate, like angora.

2. Card your fiber. This can be done with flickers, handcards or combs. Flickers look like the dog brushes sold in many pet stores. Handcards and combs are sold in pairs and are brushed against each other with the fiber in the middle. No matter which one you choose, get all the fibers going in the same direction. This makes it much easier to tease out a finished thread.

3. Pre-draft your fiber, if it has not already been done. Pull a strip of fiber until you feel it loosen. You don't want to pull the fiber apart completely, but you do want to feel the individual threads slip alongside each other. This thick thread, called the draft, will form the base of your spun thread or yarn.

4. Tie the first two feet of your thread to one of the bobbins or spindles. If this leader thread does not pull the remaining thread onto the bobbin or spindle, adjust the tension on your wheel.

5. Start pushing the pedals with your feet (treadling) while you pull out (draft) the fiber into the wheel with your hands. You've created your own custom fiber.

Tips & Warnings

• The first spinning wheel was built in India between 500 and 1000 A.D.

• For spinning a small quantity of fiber, a flicker will work just fine. If you are doing a larger quantity, go for the handcards or combs.

• Pre-draft your fiber if it has been sitting a while. Fiber that sit become compressed and difficult to work together.

• Hone your spinning skills by joining a spinning group or taking a spinning class.

• Don't get discouraged if your first attempts at spinning are unsuccessful. Spinning requires a lot of coordination and concentration in the beginning.

Resources

• Spinning wheels and supplies
• Video demonstrations of handspinning