Secure the ends to prevent tangling, and if the fiber is animal-based, gently wash it to remove lanolin and debris. The wheel’s momentum should pull the fiber through your hands, and you will feel the resistance change as the twist moves up the strand.
Washing Animal Fiber Before Spinning: Removing Lanolin and Debris
The Role of the Bobbin and Flyer The bobbin is the spool that sits on the shaft and holds the finished yarn, while the flyer is the U-shaped component that contains the hooks and whorls. Preparing the Fiber for the Draft Before the wheel touches the fiber, you must prepare a consistent supply of material known as a rolag or batten.
Gently pull the locks of wool, cotton, or silk between your fingers to align the fibers in the same direction, removing any harsh vegetable matter. Using a spinning wheel transforms raw fiber into continuous yarn, a process that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.
Washing Animal Fiber Before Spinning: Removing Lanolin and Debris
Conversely, if the yarn becomes a tangled mess, the wheel may be taking up too much yarn, requiring you to loosen the tension or increase the distance between the flyer and the bobbin. As the wheel turns, the bobbin draws the spun yarn onto itself, and the twist travels up the length of the fiber in the drafting zone.
More About How to use a spinning wheel
Looking at How to use a spinning wheel from another angle can help expand the discussion and give readers a second clear paragraph under the same section.
More perspective on How to use a spinning wheel can make the topic easier to follow by connecting earlier points with a few simple takeaways.
