Hi All, Just had to throw in my tuppence worth on this one. OK so we all know how to work out what ratio our wheels spin at, by whatever method. How many of us let the ratio do the work? If we accept that the ratio works by twisting the thread at a given rate to the treadle, this is only accurate if we allow the twist to travel freely down a given length of drafted thread ie one treadle = one inch draft. How many of you pinch, draw and slide the fingers keeping contact on the yarn all the time guiding the twist. If you are not very careful you not only guide the twist but impede it, thereby nullifying the effect that the ratio has. By pinch, draw, and release the yarn, the twist runs at the speed dictated by the flyer ratio. Assuming that one has good fibre prep, the fibres presented to the twist are smooth and straight and that one treadles evenly with as little tension on the bobbin as possible then the ratio dictates the speed of draft. By also employing the roll back technique it is possible to produce really evenly twisted yarn accurate to the ratio used. This also reduces the risk of small regular lumps caused by pinching within the drafting zone, and if employed well also reduces thinner areas caused by occasional over long drafting, usually employed because the build up of twist has momentarily got free and caught more fibre than was intended. I find that this method for worsted spinning using a forward draw out of the mass rather than a backward draw, evens the twist, keeps the fibre preparation in good order and allows me to see what is coming forward and gives me plenty of time to draft as required to keep a consistent thickness. Just my spin on things. Sue www.handspun-exotics.co.uk To stop mail temporarily mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: set nomail To restore send: set mail
