The spinning wheel has been used by weavers for hundreds of years. Up to now, several people the world over are still using the tool, even though it is now available in a variety of designs, functions and types. You can find spinning wheels working mechanically, while there are also electronic versions that make very intricate and even designs.
About the Wheel
A spinning wheel is described as a device used to spin yarn or thread using synthetic or natural fibers. The earliest clear images of the spinning wheel originated in Baghdad in 1237, Europe 1280 and China 1270. The spinning wheels may already have been in use in China and the Islamic world during the eleventh century. The spinning wheel was presented to India by Iran during the thirteenth century.
The spinning wheel substituted the earlier approach of hand spinning using a spindle. The first stage in mechanizing the process was to mount the spindle in a horizontal manner, so it can be rotated using a cord that encircles a big hand-driven wheel. The great wheel is a good example of this kind, wherein the fiber is held in the left hand, while the wheel is gradually turned using the right hand.
Spinning
The fiber is held at a slight angle to the spindle to provide the required twist. The spun yarn was wound onto the spindle by moving it so that a right angle is formed using the spindle. The type of wheel, although known in Europe in the 14th century, was not in general use until the later years. The wheel was used widely to spin different yarns until the start of the 19th century and the mechanization of spinning.
The Technology
The technology used for spinning was already widespread before most of the people adopted, thereby making it difficult to adjust the dates of the developments. In 1533, a Brunswick citizen is known to have added a treadle, wherein the spinner can rotate the spindle using one foot and still have two hands to freely spin. The flyer was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci, which twists the yarn before it winds onto the spindle. During the 16th century, it was very common to use a treadle wheel with flyer. This has become widely popular because the weaver does not need to stop spinning to wind the yarn.
New Changes
The Industrial Revolution during the 18th century affected the spinning industry greatly by mechanizing the spinning wheel. The Roller Spinning machine was patented by John Wyatt and Lewis Paul. More improvements ensued leading to the first open end spinning mills and the rotor mills in the United States during the 1780s and 1790s. More modern machines followed which used a mechanical approach to rotate the spindle. An automatic method was used to draw out the fibers. There are now new technologies that provide faster yarn production.
The Internet
You can now order spindles and spinning wheels online depending on the type of work you want to complete. There are several web sites and forums where you can meet the experts and talk about the different available yarns and spindles you can use for the best work.
To successfully spin yarn or wool, you have to know the right technique and be associated with the common materials used for the approach. There are several kinds of spinning tools and materials that will help you make more yarns with good quality. Spinning is an art in itself and the quality of your weaving will also be affected by how you make yarn.
Spinning Wool
First, you need to prepare the wool. It is very easy to find carded wool or wool that is already brushed out and ready for spinning, at various craft and yarn stores. You can also find the needed materials online. Wool does not weigh a lot, so you will find that shipping from abroad is very easy, quick and affordable. Remove a section a few inches off the roving, then take a single end in each hand. Tug the wool loose. You will notice that the fibers will separate from one another, but not break. The wool will be less densely packed. Begin the spinning with the fiber initially loose. The yarn will become finer and you will have less lumps in the yarn.
The Drop Spindle
Prepare the drop spindle. You can use a leader yarn. Take some yarn then tie to the hook located at the top of the drop spindle. Position the loose end of the leader yarn on the end of the loosened wool. Pinch the fibers and leader yarn together, thereby allowing the drop spindle to suspend, then spin the drop spindle in a clockwise manner to start spinning. The fibers from the wool will start to draft right onto the leader yarn. You will then create the first thread of homemade yarn.
More on the Approach
As soon as the fibers are already spun together for a foot or so, you can stop then take out the tie from the leader yarn found on the spindle hook. Tie the end of the leader yarn with the new homespun yarn that is still connected to the spindle. Wind the rest of the leader yarn and some of the new yarn onto the spindle shaft. Wind up the shaft then catch using the hook, so that the yarn still hangs in a perpendicular manner to the floor.
Winding
The number of fibers that enter each segment while spinning will determine the consistency and thickness of the yarn. Take note of the draft zone. You should control the width of the completed work, since the yarn and spinning will attempt to pull several fibers as possible into the draft zone. Spin and inch the fibers to form the yarn. Once the thread gets too long for the arms, stop then wind onto the spindle, just as you did to the leader yarn.
Final Tips
Spin slow and allow your hand to maintain the yarn properly. Spinning should always be done in a clockwise manner. Set the twist by immersing the spun yarn in hot water for a few minutes. Never twist dry, but instead, pat dry then wrap in a towel before squeezing.
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