Beginner Spinning Longdraw - Woollen Spinning 5 Tips and Tricks! 

After years of long draw being the bane of my existence; the one thing that I did that finally “clicked” for me was not being afraid to pull against the spinning wheel, I was so used to giving the wheel fiber with every other way I spun, once I completely let go off my right hand (I’m a lefty) and with one hand drafted the fiber against the wheel without being supported I finally got it. Hope that helps someone.

I love how you encourage everyone to embrace the craft and be comfortable with doing things in a way that works for them. It seems so gentle and nurturing and at the same time builds enthusiasm. Thank you so much for the video. 💐

I really respect someone that admits they area NOT an expert, they are "just giving tips". Thanks for the confidence to say you aren't perfect, nobody is.

Thank you Trish, I think your tips are always helpful. Especially, not to be intimidated to try something new, because you think it won't be perfect. It won't. Many people give up too soon and put so much pressure on themselves, they forget to enjoy the learning process.

I am 80 and have been spinning so long that I turned round recently and found that women are too busy earning and it's a dying art! There's a pun!! I loved watching you and you DO know what you are doing. Keep going or we'll lose the Knack. Chrissy from Limerick Ireland.

So nice to have this process explained, and then followed by "if you get yarn you're happy with, you're doing it right."

First line is me to a T lol, "I'm all over the place" lmao thanks for being you Trish, for being honest, and for sharing your fibre love diary with us ❤🧶🐑

I am trying!!! I made the world’s uggggglyfuggliest roving and did it! Achieved yarn! Not yarn I want, but definitely yarn!!!

Love your videos! I’m new and your positive reinforcement of trying things makes me want to try . I was just playing with some acrylic fiber and to my surprise I have been using the long draw and didn’t know it.. 😂. The acrylic fiber has such a long staple length and is so easy to work with and cheap to practice techniques. Looking forward to more of your videos! ❤

Thank you so much for this tip!! I am Spinning Long Draw with you and it really helped makes things """Click"" Woo-hoo!!!😉🙂😃🙃

I love longdraw, totally speeds things up...but I have to take much more care in fibre prep and carding (unless I want bumps 😂) I tweak the tension to pull the wool a little tiny bit more so I can use the wheel to pull against, I've found that long draw is SO much easier on my wrists. Spinning a sweaters worth of yarn and knitting said sweater makes me nerves get a bit zingy! Thanks Trish, I LOVE how humble and encouraging you are. I wish there was someone like u around 25 years ago when i started spinning...literally antique wheel, a book and a bucket load of determination!

I tried long draw and really like it! Thanks for the explanation of woolen versus worsted! I think I understand now how they’re different.

Always love your videos! Thank you for the information!!

I did it! Doesn’t look great but I managed my first long draw.

I only have a drop spindle... wonder how well long draw would work on that...

I always learn something from you. Keep on posting the videos! I appreciate it.

really like the yellow batt you made.. Sooo pretty

Thank you for a great tutorial! I now understand

I've spun longdraw once it was combed top spun from the fold, it made the squishest yarn (which I need to get out and knit up) I had to remind myself that I spin for fun, for the process not the product and there's always more fibre to spin

Love the definitions here. Someday I’d love to try a pendulum wheel as an intense long draw exercise; it’s got to be crazy/freeing to be so hands-off with the drafting.

Thanks for sharing! Super helpful!

That’s a great help,thank you.

I love your videos! Love your tips!

I did it! I have wanting to do long draw FOREVER! And thanks to you I stopped overthinking it, grabbed the same purple fiber you had and just jumped it. And you know what I did it! I made woolen spun yarn! Thank you for the push!

This video helped me complete my long draw, and now, by gum, I've got it. Thank you for good demo. (But so relaxing to watch you doing the long draw for several minutes, I nodded off for a few seconds. Must add, not from boredom.) :)

This was SO helpful Trish!! You stress the fiber prep for excellent reasons, I think I was trying and failing to do longdraw because I was using Combed TOP, and it was too tight and refused to flow nicely. This is so key, to make sure your fiber is LOOSE and AIRY, and not have a "deathgrip" on it. That is another of my biggest habits. LOOSE and AIRY, LOOSE and AIRY, and voila, it works ! Happy spinning !

I love the way you explain things! Gives me confidence to get in there and try 😊

Nice technical explaination.

Thank you..I’ve tried without much success..but I didn’t know I was supposed to spin fast..which is probably why my singles fell apart! I will try again 👍 Suzette

Hi Trish, Love your channel and your approach to fiber arts. Very inspiring. I have two questions that i would love to hear your thoughts on. All rovings online are sold in 4ounce braids. What do you make with 4 ounces other than socks, hats and mitts!!! I am running out of ideas here and have too many scarfs for life! Also, in one of your videos, you said you would pair a hand spun with a commercial yarn to make a project (can't remember the video sorry!). How would you go about picking that commercial yarn to fit what you hand-spun? Other than colours, are you looking at swatch sizes, fiber content, etc. I'd be delighted to learn from you! Thanks, keep on spinning ❤️

Longdraw is so much fun when you just let go of the control and embrace it!

Thank you. I can’t wait to give it a try. Quick question - I have a Flatiron Schacht and I have been thinking about switching it to a double drive - I know you said that is how you have your Matchless set up - is that preferable for longdraw? Thanks.

Robing😍. Just finished dinner kind of tired lotta dishes in the sink kind of escaping to my little studio I was so glad to see your video thanks for posting for us for Easter yes.(ha ha my big dog was barking when he heard your voice on the phone and his bark was translated to yes by Siri)Happy Easter

What a great video, thank you! You are very enjoyable to watch and I like the way you explain, you capture our attention without the classroom. You mentioned that you used sari silk in the batt, is it tiny pieces cut up? I'm trying to figure out how it would be done. I have sari silk but it is 2" strips,,, Thanks for any help you can lend.

Ok now I have to try longdraw! I have several carded clouds which is a prep you don’t see for sale much. Would it be a good candidate for longdraw? Or should I try with something else. Thanks again for another inspirational video!

Hi Trish, Thanks for sharing, Love watching your videos and Learning new stuff, Hugsss

Would wool of the Andes roving from Knitpicks be good to learn with? I have a bunch... 😳

I am such a control freak that the thick and thin in long draw makes me crazy. I wish l knew the secret to just loving the spin and that my yarn looks handspun instead of striving for perfect consistency. (store bought)😭

Thank you for showing the long draw, I’ve always been afraid of the twist just going up and grabbing all the fiber at the top and jamming up. I will make sure to de-compact the fiber and give it a try, the worst that can happen is it doesn’t work this time, there is still another try to go. As I always tell my grand children when they fail at something and it upsets them, it’s ok, it’s how we learn and no one died.

I'll give "real" longdraw another go. What I'm doing atm is kinda weird to other people, I never truly let go of the fibre with my front hand

I so want to do this, but my shoulders are too bad. I have bought some roving that has a lot of VM in it. So far I have been breaking it up in chunks, spreading the fibers, and trying to get as much VM out. Then I roll it into a rolag to spin. I let the twist into the fiber then draft short draw. It looks so pretty when you spin long draw, that I may try it again!

You are a delight. I love your kind and encouraging approach. I can't wait to try long draw!

Thank you your wonderful positive attitude ! I always learn something new from your videos.

This helps me souch new to spinning on a wheel just purchased my first wheel and am in love

Thank you! I'm still scared, but I will try😁

Thanks for a great video. Do you then ply the woolen spun? ❤️🌺

This was very helpful. Thank you so much. I think I keep trying to short forward draw and long draw at the same time, which doesn't work by the way! It's so different to keep my forward hand completely still and just pull back with my other hand. I'll definitely give long draw a try again :-)

Thank you for this- fluffing out the roving is such a good tip. I am having zero luck using combed top. I’m going to take a deep breath and give the roving a try!

Very informative video. Thank you.

Thank you so much Trish. This helps so much. You’re amazing and I appreciate you taking the time to teach us. ☺️💜

I tried longdraw for the first time on that same carded corriedale. I for some reason never thought I'd like woollen spun yarns, but I immediately fell in love with the fluffy airy stuff I made. I bought so much of that carded corriedale in the other colors! Next step is trying to spin batts!

Great info 😃

Hey Trish you may describe yourself as 'not professional...but you are definitely inspiring. Debs from Down Under. 🧶🐑❤️🐏☕️

What an inspirational video! Thank-you for the tips & tricks. I've spun for over 30 years and have started spinning long draw using your suggestions! Thanks much! Katt

Will definitely look back on this video when I wish to try long draw. When I get a spinning wheel

Does it matter if the fiber is a long or short staple, for a long draw???

Thank you for explaining! I so want to try spinning soon.

Thanks for the encouragement 🤗

Longdraw is magic!.....it’s like making mozzarella....✂️🧶🪄

Excited to go spin more! I’m trying to learn drafting well , still a struggle, on my drop spindle while I figure out my wheel situation

What an awesome tutorial! I loved it when you played part of it in long draw! Thank-you so much! Katt

Thanks Trish! I might have to give long draw a try again. I love your honesty in your videos. Thanks to your weaving videos I've got towels on my loom right now.

Love your videos ❤ especially using the drum carder, and seeing your blends ❤❤❤

Thanks trish! You made my day

I recently moved to a new city and thought I'd found my LYS. Well, I did, but it's a boutique for knitters and crocheters. I finally did a better search and found another LYS that has spinning as well. I've been starting on a drop spindle that I ordered off of amazon, but I had no idea what I was ordering really, and it's too heavy for the light yarn I want to make. I'm anxious to get to that new LYS for tips and better supplies. I'm hoping that maybe they rent spinning wheels so I can try out your tips. It's anxious anticipation though because I've been in self quarantine before spending a week in a post covid care center for a bunch of tests. At least I'll be able to bring my knitting to keep me sane. But I'm still dreaming of the day that I can make a knitable skein of yarn all my own! When I get back home, that will be the first shop I'll go to. I hope you've had a happy Easter and thank you for sharing your fiber journey! ❤️

Thanks for a simple explanation of woolen and worsted. I tried the long draw right away!! One question the fiber thins out, is my batt not dense enough?

This was so helpful, especially about the term roving. I am glad to know that this works well on short fibers. The next time I blend with my carder I will try a long draw. I have been spinning for 12 years and have never done a long draw!

Funny, I've done long draw from years and never thought about how I do it. I didn't realize it intimidates people...believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. You're right, though, it's all in the prep. You can't do it on fiber that doesn't want to be drawn that way. I just feel you spin the way the fiber wants to be spun.

Thanks for this. I’ve been thinking of trying to learn long draw. I’m a new spinner and feel fairly confident with short forward draw, now onward to the next lesson! Thanks again.

Found out our local library has a spinning wheel for people like me who want to try spinning before buying a wheel. How cool is that!

This is the most helpful tutorial ever 💖

Great tips! Thanks!

Thanks I’ve been afraid to try long draw but now am going to try it!

I have some fiber this would be perfect for. I’m going to branch out and try this.

Any tips for if you want to spin woolen from a purchase fleece that has vm in it. Do you comb first before carding?

Another great video. I love your beginner videos for spinners.

Are there specific fibers/breeds you'd recommend to start out with?

whoot! great demo!!.............and it goes so much faster than the inchworm :)

Thanks for the inspiration. It does feel a bit scary to try but I'll give it a shot.

Awesome video and you have so many thank you so much!

I learn so much from you, wish you lived next door.

This is all great information! Thank you for sharing!

I used to love doing longdraw on my E-spinner, but cannot get the hang of it with my Echo, I am struggling with the tension, but it is so much fun to keep practicing ❣️

Love the yellow! Very springy.....

long draw is the first way i learned to spin as my gifted old traditional wheel spins a lot more than it takes up the yarn. it works beautifully

I learn more things from your videos you are a great teacher

Thanks Trish for another great video!

I’m definitely feeling more encouraged to get practicing long draw!

Love spinning long draw, thanks for the great tips

How can I purchase your art yarn?

Can you please do a video on spinning very fine yarn?

Longdraw makes such a fun yarn!

OMG thank you, Trish!!!!

One day I’ll try this. 💕

Thanks for the video. First time I have really understood what long draw actually means. Very helpful.

So cool! I’m working on it!

I just got the EEW 6.0 (electric spinner) and have been working on my first spin on it. I started out inchworm but at some point relaxed into longdraw. I always hold the fiber in my left and my right is closer to the wheel. I'm a lefty. It's the same if I'm using a spindle.

So looking forward to giving this a go.....once I find THE wheel!! Thanks Trish x

One tip I learned from the experienced spinners in my guild, pay attention to your shoulder. It is best if you sit where you arm can swing behind you in a relaxed motion just like when your arms move when you walk. You want to be careful not to lift your shoulder or twist your body because you will tire easily and could become sore. Love your enthusiasm and I love trying all the things too.

I know you say you are not an expert but you are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. if you were teaching a class in my area, I would sign up in a second!