We decided to focus on worsted spinning this week at Spin Club. It's my go to style of spinning and it was great to have the opportunity to delve into it a little bit more.
As is always the case, many different spinners will have their take on what is the definitive description of a technique. In my spinning workshops I teach worsted spinning to the beginners because I think it's the easiest place to start.
Worsted spinning is a combed preparation of fibres so that they are all aligned in the same direction. This means that there is less air in the fibre making it hard-wearing with a good stitch definition if you knit it or sheen if you're weaving.
The technique is called short draw drafting and I've seen it referred to as inchworm drafting too. You take your fibre between your hands and draft a small amount of fibre apart, not allowing the twist to run into the main body of fibre. You then slide your pinched fingers over that twist.
Some writers feel strongly that true worsted or woollen spinning can only come from prepared fibre and not mill prepared top. I think that's probably true in the strictest sense of the word but I would still call short draw drafting with top worsted spinning.
There are some great resources if you want to research all about it and you can decide what you believe to be true. Whatever is right for you, whatever works for you is right in my book
Mabel Ross's book The Essentials of Yarn Design is a wonderful read and for such a little book has so much information.
The Spinners Book of Yarn Designs by Sarah Anderson, a great resource
The worsted edition of Ply magazine, this issue is from 2014 but you might be able to pick one up as a back issue
Suggested by Kate, Spinning Bear, The Spinner's Book of Fleece by Beth Smith is a good recommendation which I don't have but will need to acquire immediately.
Happy worsted spinning everyone. Next week we will be looking at woollen spinning and preparations so I hope you can join us live or catch up on igtv
Speak soon
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and Heather at Inquisitive Weaver
