Spinning How-To : Worsted, woolen

Worsted, Woolen, or Semi-something by Rudy Amann

Spin-Off — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:09:08 GMT

Do you spin worsted or woolen yarn? Don’t worry if you don’t know—many spinners do not know what type of yarn they spin. They just continue spinning the same way they did for their first successful skein of yarn.

The difference between worsted and woolen yarns comes from how the fibers are prepared for spinning, the drafting technique that is used, and how twist is allowed to enter the fibers. There is general agreement among spinners about how to spin true worsted yarns and true woolen yarns. However, most of us spin something between those two types of yarn.

Drafting for Worsted and Woolen Style Yarns on a Spindle by Carol Huebscher Rhoades

Spin-Off — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:03:02 GMT

Spinning on a spindle doesn’t mean that you are limited to one type of yarn. It’s the same working on a spindle as it is on a spinning wheel: you can choose a fiber, its preparation, and a drafting technique to get the yarn you want. To get a particular yarn, select an appropriate spindle. The finer and lighter the yarn, the lighter the spindle— so use either a very lightweight spindle (less than 1 ounce) or a supported spindle. Conversely, it is best to spin a heavy yarn on a heavier (2 ounces or more) spindle.