BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Spinning spinning wheel tension

I just got my first spinning wheel, and I'm having fun playing with it. I followed the tension setting tips posted here, but I'm still having trouble. If I tighten the bobbin tension, the yarn is getting way too much twist. If I loosen it slightly, the yarn isn't loading onto the bobbin. I tried adjusting the wheel drive tension, and then it's too hard to peddle. I'm sure I'm not doing my hands correctly because I just can't keep up with the twisting. I'm signed up for a class in June. Should I just wait so I'm not forming any bad habits, or should I continue to play with it? I'd really appreciate any advice!

set the tensions to where the wheel pedals freely and the bobbin tension is to where it just barely pulls the yarn onto the bobbin. Ok, now are you playing with pre-spun yarn?

One thought is you are treadling too fast. You should sit there and treadle without putting any yarn on the bobbin, and treadle as slowly as you possibly can without the wheel stopping. This will gain you control of the wheel.

Respinning pre spun yarn is an interesting concept. But you must work your hands faster in order for the yarn not to be wildly overspun.

Now, no one is an expert at this to start with and all make character yarns. Some of it overspun, really kinky, and some underspun, falls apart. and some really lumpy stuff and some so thin it is like sewing thread. I have several skeins of this in the cedar chest.

keep playing! No there are no bad habits in spinning. You will learn to spin what you want to work with.

Hi, Fluffy Ewe,
Thank you for the advice. I'll give it a spin. I'm glad to hear that I can't form any bad habits just experimenting. Have read the knitting and spinning mystery series written by Maggie Sefton? They are a delight to read and make it hard to decide whether to read, knit, or spin!

Teresa O.

Bad habits in spinning are not noticable depending on what the final product you might want is.

The only really bad habit is not oiling your wheel before you begin every day.

No, I haven't read any of her books. Must have my hubby look for some the next time he goes to the book store.

If I go to the bookstore, I won't have $$$ for fleece to spin or yarn to work with. So I send him with a list of authors to look for. My love of reading is right next to my love of fiber arts.