English Woollen Longdraw Spinning

Amanda shows you how to perfect the English woolen longdraw technique from hand-carded rolags.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• spinning
• handspinning
• longdraw
• wool
• rolags

[StarchildHolistic]

Brilliant video and you make it look so easy. Can you tell me though how to stop the yarn getting so thin that it continually breaks. Many thanks

[ADHUK]

@StarchildHolistic

It sounds like you need to let a little more twist through as you draft backwards. If you can hit on just the right amount of twist, it will lock any sections that are the same diameter as your starter length, and then you can only draft out the thicker spots. It does take a bit of practice with the amount of twist to use, but when you get it just right the yarn regulates itself into a beautifully even thread. Hope that helps! Amanda

[StarchildHolistic]

@ADHUK Thank you so much for your very prompt advice. I tried this straight away and it does make a huge difference. But, I think I need to improve my rolags somewhat for they are certainly a lot bittier than yours!  If I used the combing method could I still do long draw?

[ADHUK]

@StarchildHolistic

For a proper English woollen longdraw you need to be working from short carded fibre, and ideally a well formed rolag. To do longdraw with a combed prep you want the American longdraw. Look at this video youtube.com/watch?v=NPaNVSrOJ2­M from LongdrawJames,he does a very good demo of the American style longdraw. He also has another good clip on English Longdraw, watching the same person spin in both styles should give you a good idea of the differences!

[ADHUK]

You're welcome - glad you found it interesting!

[agaknit]

I would love to learn how to do this on a drop spindle, if it is at all possible, and could you possibly recommend some tutorials / do you have any hints?

thank you!

Andrea

[ADHUK]

@agaknit

Hi Andrea,

Yes, it certainly is possible, in fact I recently wrote an article about it, which I think is due to be published in an issue of the Journal hopefully in the next few months. You could keep and eye on the thejournalforwsd(dot)org(dot)u­k, as they give a contents list for the current issue which will let you know when it is published.

I also plan to do a few more YouTube clips when I have the time, so I will add "Longdraw on a spindle" to the list!

Amanda

[craftymaster]

This is the best longdraw demonstration I have ever seen. I finally understand the difference between woolen/worsted

[VidBint]

I love how she repeats the method several time as she does it. It'll be in my head forever. Thanks!

[elizabethjunean]

Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing. :)

[ADHUK]

Vielen Dank für den Kommentar!

Ja, das Geheimnis zu longdraw Spinning bekommt einen guten Rhythmus zu entwickeln!

[versponnenverwebt]

sehr schön das lange ausziehen und schnelle aufwickeln rhythmisch gezeigt,danke