Woollen Longdraw - for handspinning

[lababla1lababla]

Hello Ruth,

you mentionned Romney medium length of fiber. Is there a specific range of fiber length for best longdraw spinning (in inches or cm) ? also is the size of handcards (and therefore the diameter of rolag) important ? mine are ashfords 3.5 x 7.5 inches.

I tried it with fiber that is 2 inches long and only short woollen draw works..maybe and need more fiber loaded on the cards?!. thanks a lot.

[stanbrinsmead]

I just love your video, and keep coming back to it. I am just learning to spin and you really encourage me. One of my faults was gripping the rolag too tight, I see that you have a very gentle touch - it almost looks like magic to a newbie....Jane

[stseraphina]

There is nothing like a pile of rolags to make a spinner happy. Thanks for the nice video!

[TheMdmdragonfly]

Thanks for the video. I like that you show the technique repeatedly at a normal speed and uninterrupted by doing other things. It is good to see you dealing with tufts and slubs as part of normal procedure. The written explanations inserted are much clearer than someone fumbling through verbally and interrupting the flow of the spinning. The video is beautiful in simplicity, just what I needed.

[swoonthesober]

Thanks for the superb videos and the music is great WOW THANKS

[ARoode]

Thanks for this video, it helped me immensely with longdraw, something which has often eluded me. It also helped with my handcarding!

[Syburi]

Thankyou for the video. I'm just starting out spinning after "inheriting" a couple of sheep! You make this look so serene and enjoyable, you must have been spinning for a long, long time.

[chocolatefountainpro]

That is art!

[xlsdx]

you have nice legs and feet

[53cbrooks]

Ruth, Thank yo so much for your video. It's packed with information! I just learned to long-draw (on the fly in a Spinning for Shetland Lace class) this weekend at Black Sheep Gathering and needed a visual review from beginning to end. I'm headed back to the wheel to incorporate what I learned from you. Thank you! Cydney - who is also headed to iTunes to check out the music.....

[silverleat]

Ruth - I just had to write and say thank you for your video - I can't tell you how many times I have watched it - and my only wish is that someday I will be able to spin like you.

Regards Hilary

[DLowryVA]

Gorgeous video! Thanks so much!

[theladybaltimore]

Thanks for posting this!

[Matrinka69]

Ahhh... I can't wait for my new wheel to get here so I can sit and watch you while I spin.

[6bettyboo9]

your awesome!  by far the best spinning vid on you -tube! im a carpenter and have tried this on my girlfriends wheel and let me tell you, it is NOT easy! you make it look like magic !

[Halalsilks]

Dear Ruth I had to return and watch this again ( and again!) I love the music, where did you get it?

I am wondering too, what type of wool are you spinning? Or is this another fiberr? Thanks for a lovely place to have an oasis, I have you on my FIBER JOYS playlist. blessings, grace

[ruthmacgregor]

What a sweet thing to say, Grace!

The wool in this video is Romney. The fleece is medium-grey, with medium-length staple, and medium coarseness/fineness. It's from a middle-aged sheep named Simon. ;-)

It's a very nice wool -- just what I was looking for when I was out looking for fleece. (Medium -- exactly what I needed!) It's super for carding and spinning longdraw, because it has a lovely openness. It just *wants* to be handled this way.

Ruth

[patsyruth1]

@Halalsilks I have never commented about any you tube video I have watched before. I understand this is not where this belongs but I can't figure out how to make a correct comment so I place it here.

This is the most sensual experience ever. Everything about this video is amazing.  I am new to spinning. I will ever be grateful for this video. I am looking forward to moving with the fiber as this demonstration. Thanks you so much for sharing this. You are appreciated.

[magprob]

That is a great video. So peaceful. Thank you.

[iP0djunkie]

This is such a wonderful and helpful video! Thank you so much for posting it.

But please, what is the music that is playing in the background? It is so beautiful...

[ruthmacgregor]

The music in this video is by a group called Déanta. The song is "Waltz of the White Lilies" -- and it's haunting, isn't it?

Ruth

[56TonyT]

Pray tell!

What is the name of that hauntingly beautiful tune?

[robdenverco]

Thank you for a terrific video. You helped me alot and you make it look so easy. I look for ward to seeing more in the future. The draft triangle is a hard thing for this beginner to control (either the yarn is too thin or too thick).

And if you can, please tell me the music you use in the videos...I really like it.

[bonobobabe]

I saw the comment that you were planning on making a video demonstrating woolen spinning with a drop spindle. I am very interested. I have been debating about whether to get rid of my wheel, b/c I love spindle spinning so much (and I am trying to pair down, simplify, and declutter, but what's holding me back is that the only success I've had spinning woolen was with my wheel.

[justducky48]

Ruth, You make it look so easy and beautiful!

[oisin10708]

I think this is a really good video! Makes me want to go and do some long draw right away - fearlessly :).

[tremawe12]

Es ist ein wundervolles Video, danke

[ADHUK]

Hi Ruth,

Fantastic video! You have a wonderfully smooth technique and it's a joy to watch!

Not sure what the original music was, but I love the music that goes with it now.

Thanks - Bye for now!

Amanda

[60maggie]

Every time I watch this I absorb something helpful. Thank you Ruth for your reply to my question. I put your email to good use and have spun half a bobbin of fluffy singles longdraw using your tutorial. Not perfect...lol, but coming along. I hope you received my email of thanks and appreciation. I'm so hoping you will make more youtube videos for us. I love your Spinning Forth site too!!! Have a great day, Maggie

[ruthmacgregor]

For all who loved the original music, my heart is with you! Alas, a copyright dispute arose, and YouTube required me to replace the soundtrack of this video, using one of their in-house sources rather than my own. The new music is nice enough, but if it distracts you as you watch -- turn the sound off. This video works as a silent film, too.

The most important thing, though, is to keep spinning! No matter what music is playing, the wheel still goes around.

Ruth

[Halalsilks]

I really enjoyed this video! I can't wear the small black dress anymore.. but I do spin by hand spindle. I used to spin woolen with rolag on my wheel but when I try by hand spindle the ply is not fluffy but " somewhere in between" as you stated. If you do use a drop spindle can you please show this woolen technique using that instead of a wheel? Or is it even possible to do that?

many jazzy smiles,

grace

[ruthmacgregor]

It is possible to spin longdraw with a spindle, just a bit different. The key? Draft sideways! ...I've been thinking of making a little video of this, because it's quite relaxing to draft longdraw sideways from a drop spingle. It's also a super way of drafting with a supported spindle. Stay tuned!

[Halalsilks]

Dear Ruth, Oh Yes Please do make a video on longdraw with spindle. My ashford wheel is no longer functional and I am only able to use drop spindles. I used to use longdraw on the wheel but can't seem to do it on drop spindle. One issue is that I am predrafting my roving. I have to relearn how to spin thicker on a drop spindle. Years ago, when i first learned spinning, it was in the grease and I did it all by rolags I carded myself. Now I use roving &I have such issues doing londraw. thanks,grace

[60maggie]

Hi Ruth...what a great video. I have a question...how do you get the rolag to pull out so far...when I try it...my prepared 'top' of Shetland wool separates at the length of the staple. I'd love to be able to spin 'longdraw' too. Maggie...at knittermagdotblogspot

[ruthmacgregor]

Hi Maggie, I replied to you privately in detail, but for other readers: drafting off a 'top' will get in the way of longdraw in the way Maggie described. To fix that, pull off small (staple-length) pieces of top, stack them on top of each other (fibres lined up), tidy the stack by pulling fibres out and restacking, then roll the stack fibre-end to fibre-end. That transforms the 'top' into a 'rolag', and by doing so, it changes everything!

[Syburi]

@ruthmacgregor How would you feel about making a video of doing that? At the moment I'm having to hand pick and comb the wool, so making a rolag rather than a draft or top would be helpful. My sheep are merino or romney, I think, the wool feels very nice, soft and fluffy once it's combed.

[pattio523]

This is lovely... I'm just now mastering the long draw spinning woollen. very classy video.. this is almost fiber porn:-)

[beingv]

This video's got beauty and brains. It was soothing and beautiful to watch and I learned a lot! Thanks so much.

[jvmeadows]

Great video -- the jazz is awesome as well. Notice that her treadling foot kept the beat with the music?!

[nctxweaver]

Excellent video and background music is great. Another great technique presentation. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[eagleflight95]

Thank you so much for taking the time to prepare this excellent, instructional video.

[junepot]

This is the best video I have seen on this technique! Thank you for this!

[riverrim]

Nicely done, Ruth!

Thanks for another great video, keep them coming!

[rjrahardjo]

That is the most clear instruction I've seen on YouTube. Thank you so much!

The music adds relaxation too.

[lindaspins]

I really did learn something about long draw! Plus, this is possibly the classiest spinning video ever, with smoky sax and little black dress. Love it!

[fiberdrunk]

Wonderful video! Thanks for making this!