Really loved this tutorial. I’ve very recently started spinning, with a bit of help from online tutorials as well as some practical help from my Guild. Yours is the best tutorial I have seen to date, confirming the things I thought I understood and explaining the bits I was hazy on - such as how the tensioning works. I love the way you take us through the whole process, from spinning singles, to plying, to skeining and then washing. Thank you!
I just got an Ashford Traditional wheel second-hand today and am excited to start spinning! I’ve never done it before, thanks so much for making such a clear and easy to follow start-to-finish process video, I’m feeling much less intimidated now ☺️
One of the best spinning tutorials that I have watched, thank you so much for being so efficient and informative in your delivery. I loved it, great for newbies like me. x
My first time watching this video. I haven't got a spinning wheel yet,but love watching the spinning videos. Thank you for your clear explanation. Very inspiring. 😊
Nice to see a bit of classic New Zealand old-time engineering being used outside the country. I believe this is the only manufactured product still made out of Southern Beech (apart from the odd kitchen counter-top); I've often had coffee in the café that adjoins the Ashford factory in Ashburton. BTW I've just helped mill a very large windfall Southern beech inside a forest -- quite the undertaking getting the mobile mill to the tree & the timber out, all by human power -- it may perhaps end up as an Ashford spinning wheel one day. Have been watching & enjoying your channel for some years, Harry, thanks for making such interesting videos...
Thank you for the interesting information about where the spinning wheel starts its life. It makes my warm feelings for my own Ashford even warmer knowing what went into it of labour and material!
I so enjoyed this video. You're very calm and make drafting look quite possible. I'm having a bit of a time getting my drafting speed to match up with my wheel speed, or controlling my wheel speed to cooperate with my ability to draft well. I'm hopeful that all will be sorted out in a few months of practice. Thank you for your encouragement.
Your video just popped up on my feed, and I thought, “I know you!” Of course I don’t, but I’ve just remembered I was following you with my other interests, Singer 31K, skiving and leather work (I’m into book binding). Well what a small world! Thank you, I felt like I’d rediscovered a friend 😊
Harry. All your videos are interesting. Thank God for the advancement in technology that we are able to enjoy and learn. It is the first time I had the opportunity to really see how the spinning wheel works. Blessings.
As I await the arrival of my first spinning wheel, the Ashford Traditional, I very much enjoyed this video. You answered all of my questions. Thank you!
Hello, Harry! I recently repaired the Ashford Traditional I inherited from my mom, and have it up and running. Without any real prior intentions, I now find that I would like to take up spinning. Keep in mind that I have had this spinning wheel sitting around and gathering dust for about 18 years or thereabouts. All that being said, I found your video while seeking tutorials, and greatly enjoy it. Thanks for posting a very useful and entertaining piece on RUclips!
I have a Luet wheel, Bobin led tension, really enjoyed your video, and love your kitty as well! I have 2 fingers, and 2 tuxedos....I've been staying home,so I've been watching Alot of spinning videos...I learned over 25 yrs ago, and I'm always learning! Thank you!
You have indeed fallen down the rabbit hole! I have an Ashford as well, mine is a Traveler, which is one of the Castle wheels. It was the second in my collection of five and though I don't use it often anymore I still love it. It'll be interesting to see all the things you make in the future!
Thank you so much for sharing your process! I have just been lent a spinning wheel and have never tried spinning before, so I am practicing spinning consistently with no wool while I watch all the tips and tricks!
What a nice ZEN activity. I noticed the wooden calender on the mantlepiece. You started on the 10th and wrapped it up at the 12th. Thanks Harry was fun to watch. Havd a great holiday season
I just discovered your channel with the video on 10 tips for sewing leather on an industrial machine, noticed all the woodworking tools, and now see that you also spin wool AND have an Ashford wheel! Fantastic! Nice to see such a kindred spirit, and so many common interests. I sew and quilt on my 1970’s Brother industrial needle-feed machine, and just got bonded nylon thread and needles to begin working with leather. I currently spin wool by hand on 3D printed Turkish drop spindles, and have long wanted to make a spinning wheel. Getting into woodwork, and just got a lathe, and am starting to learn about that. Thanks for 2 excellent videos, and you have a new subscriber. I’m most curious to see what else you’ve done in your video library. Well met! 🤓
I bought a second hand Traditional wheel(kit wheel they called them) in 1978 and it looks as good as the day I bought it. I must have spun more than a thousand pounds of wool on it and it works as good as ever. I only needed to change the little spring on the scotch tension with one from the Ashford maintenance kit. I found that the bobbin is too small for plying so I found an original LeClerc bobbin driven wheel in Victoria BC in 1990. It has a gigantic bobbin and it has been my dedicated plying wheel. Please let us know in the beginning if you're doing a woolen or worsted yarn. It has been my experience that to get a woolen spin yarn it is necessary to card the wool. Folding over a prepared roving will get you semi-worsted at best. love your videos.
I've been experimenting with extracting plant fibers from various plants for about the last three years. Usually i just run off a bit of cordage, it's all been just practice at traditional skills really, but I tried spinning with a make-shift drop-spindle last winter and actually ran off a good length of twine. I shouldn't be surprised at what can be achieved with make-shift tools because that's all the first-men had, but i'd be lying if i said i didnt. I've damn near perfected water-retting of Yucca filamentosa, wisteria, and another broadleaf, daylilly-like plant. This year however we had a mass of wild-seeded Golden Rod, which is quite similar in some characteristics to hemp. There's also another flowering day-lilly that gets up about 5-6ft tall that is loaded with plant-fiber but i missed optimum harvesting time so they rotted beyond use. My perferred source has quickly become wisteria, because with my method you can extract pristine core-wood which is a very suitable alternative to willow as a wicker source, which is destroyed using the japanese method. So from wisteria I get core wicker, long continous ribbons of fiber, and also fiber-backed bark which is far weaker than the fiber, but can be turned to make a light-duty cordage. Wisteria fiber is quite soft when combed. We really have a bounty of fibers all around us in plants and animals, no one has an excuse to not be clothed, what modernity has a lack of is the will to prepare it.
@@harryrogers i wanted to do a video, but I wanted to wait so I could be sure of what I was saying. I'll be filming it this fall so I'll send you a link in about 10 months. I image you and your fellowship will find it interesting
Great video! How long did all this take? This is what I love about your channel, never know what the video will be, leather working, wood working and everything else!
I've just bought a third wheel, it needs a new tensioning nob so I'm off to the garage to turn one. It's my first traditional style, I'm looking forward to treadling slower!
Mine was modified with a double treadle. The flyer was modified with 9 hooks instead of 5 and mine is a combo wheel that can be setup as a DD drive or Scotch Tension wheel. I prefer DD. Working on lace weight singles then ply to use for my antique sock knitting machine. Shoes are on the list to learn how to make. My end goal with spinning is spinning linen to make my own shirt that I grew from flax in my own garden.
This is totally brilliant! You make it look easy, but I bet that it takes a fair bit of practice to put all of the stages together and get them to work! Second question - does the cat think that you're playing a game, and try to join in ? Third question - maybe in the romantic nights of old that you mention, people could do at least some of it by moonlight ? Nowadays towns have so many lights that the moonlight is just destroyed, but out in the sticks we can make full use of it ! Anyway, as always, such an interesting and educational video - thank you!
That’s a handsome wheel there! It looks sturdy and very functional. I’m totally new to spinning, so I’ve been watching as many videos as I can. I’m a crocheter and knitter, although my crocheting is much better than my knitting. This was super informative. Oh, and Happy New Year. 😋
Harry, firstly thank you for reminding me plying can be simple. Can I ask, do I need tension on a separate lazy Kate? I have a tradition one that came with my (2nd hand) Ashford & the threads are running too fast. Will distance help or is there a way I can stop the spools on the lazy Kate over running as I ply? Jen
Hello Jen, I was using an untensioned Lazy Kate but I have now made one with a tension band that works the same as the tension band on a spinning wheel and it seems very good so perhaps you can add a spring and tension line to your Lazy Kate.
Hello Harry, what do you weave with it? Can you knit with that yarn? I love art yarns for example, but I want to wear them, and prefer knitting. Many of these are so thick they cannot be worn.
My mom always had an old spinning wheel in the living room as decoration. I'm here because I was always curious how it worked. Also, your cat and his little nest is cute. I have a question: how do you use/unravel the hank without getting it all tangled? I can barely untangle an extension cord when I loop it up like that, so it seems difficult.
I will always wind a skein of yarn before using it for knitting. If you are weaving with it, perhaps there is a different process. I recently acquired a nostepinne and find that this produces lovely, non-tangling, centre-pull balls. It is a slow process but mindful - rather like spinning!
have any of your viewers spun dog hair? my first grade teacher (about a million years), spun her collie hair into wool and made mitts and socks... my dogs have much shorter hair which might make it more difficult - anyone tried it?
Spinning wheels are very ancient tools, that existed in late bronze age and iron ages and did not progress much during the dark ages that look very much like wagon wheels. Very primitive technology.
Really loved this tutorial. I’ve very recently started spinning, with a bit of help from online tutorials as well as some practical help from my Guild. Yours is the best tutorial I have seen to date, confirming the things I thought I understood and explaining the bits I was hazy on - such as how the tensioning works. I love the way you take us through the whole process, from spinning singles, to plying, to skeining and then washing. Thank you!
I just got an Ashford Traditional wheel second-hand today and am excited to start spinning! I’ve never done it before, thanks so much for making such a clear and easy to follow start-to-finish process video, I’m feeling much less intimidated now ☺️
A really helpful film. I keep going back to it. Thank you, Harry.
Thanks Jackie
I love that romantic, idealised view of groups chatting and spinning around a fire :) it sounds wonderful.
One of the best spinning tutorials that I have watched, thank you so much for being so efficient and informative in your delivery. I loved it, great for newbies like me. x
Thanks very much
What a kind skilled dude. Thanks a lot for this overview of the process
My first time watching this video. I haven't got a spinning wheel yet,but love watching the spinning videos. Thank you for your clear explanation. Very inspiring. 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
It appears to be a relaxing and gentle process. Kudos to your many handcraft skills and accomplishments!
Thanks Mark.
Nice to see a bit of classic New Zealand old-time engineering being used outside the country. I believe this is the only manufactured product still made out of Southern Beech (apart from the odd kitchen counter-top); I've often had coffee in the café that adjoins the Ashford factory in Ashburton. BTW I've just helped mill a very large windfall Southern beech inside a forest -- quite the undertaking getting the mobile mill to the tree & the timber out, all by human power -- it may perhaps end up as an Ashford spinning wheel one day. Have been watching & enjoying your channel for some years, Harry, thanks for making such interesting videos...
That's very interesting..Thanks David.
I just bought an Ashford spinning wheel. I think it is the Elizabeth. Similar to in the video but a bit plainer in the woodwork
Thank you for the interesting information about where the spinning wheel starts its life. It makes my warm feelings for my own Ashford even warmer knowing what went into it of labour and material!
I so enjoyed this video. You're very calm and make drafting look quite possible. I'm having a bit of a time getting my drafting speed to match up with my wheel speed, or controlling my wheel speed to cooperate with my ability to draft well. I'm hopeful that all will be sorted out in a few months of practice. Thank you for your encouragement.
Hi I started with a small flax wheel and that was too fast for me.
Your video just popped up on my feed, and I thought, “I know you!” Of course I don’t, but I’ve just remembered I was following you with my other interests, Singer 31K, skiving and leather work (I’m into book binding). Well what a small world! Thank you, I felt like I’d rediscovered a friend 😊
Harry. All your videos are interesting. Thank God for the advancement in technology that we are able to enjoy and learn. It is the first time I had the opportunity to really see how the spinning wheel works. Blessings.
Just about to start to learn to spin, and loved the way you explained everything. 🙂
Thanks
Really clear instructions. Very great full.thank you
As I await the arrival of my first spinning wheel, the Ashford Traditional, I very much enjoyed this video. You answered all of my questions.
Thank you!
I loved watching your spin, hope you’re planning on showing your weaving process too👍
Thanks and yes, I will do some natural dying first...using onion skins.
This was very calming to watch. Wholesome content
Hello, Harry! I recently repaired the Ashford Traditional I inherited from my mom, and have it up and running. Without any real prior intentions, I now find that I would like to take up spinning. Keep in mind that I have had this spinning wheel sitting around and gathering dust for about 18 years or thereabouts. All that being said, I found your video while seeking tutorials, and greatly enjoy it. Thanks for posting a very useful and entertaining piece on RUclips!
Thanks very much
I have a Luet wheel, Bobin led tension, really enjoyed your video, and love your kitty as well! I have 2 fingers, and 2 tuxedos....I've been staying home,so I've been watching Alot of spinning videos...I learned over 25 yrs ago, and I'm always learning! Thank you!
Thanks
You have indeed fallen down the rabbit hole! I have an Ashford as well, mine is a Traveler, which is one of the Castle wheels. It was the second in my collection of five and though I don't use it often anymore I still love it. It'll be interesting to see all the things you make in the future!
Thank you so much for sharing your process! I have just been lent a spinning wheel and have never tried spinning before, so I am practicing spinning consistently with no wool while I watch all the tips and tricks!
I loved watching this video! Thank you Harry for making it all so easy to understand.
Thanks so much for this helpful video! I just got my first wheel after years of spinning on a drop spindle. You helped me through every new step! 🙂
You're adorable! Really appreciated this vid. Just bought an Ashford Traditional for $50 & am new to this. Beautiful yarn
What a nice ZEN activity. I noticed the wooden calender on the mantlepiece. You started on the 10th and wrapped it up at the 12th. Thanks Harry was fun to watch. Havd a great holiday season
Well spotted Josh..and thanks...have a great break.
You are such an inspiration! Thank you for all the information!!!
Thanks Lynn.
I just discovered your channel with the video on 10 tips for sewing leather on an industrial machine, noticed all the woodworking tools, and now see that you also spin wool AND have an Ashford wheel! Fantastic! Nice to see such a kindred spirit, and so many common interests.
I sew and quilt on my 1970’s Brother industrial needle-feed machine, and just got bonded nylon thread and needles to begin working with leather. I currently spin wool by hand on 3D printed Turkish drop spindles, and have long wanted to make a spinning wheel. Getting into woodwork, and just got a lathe, and am starting to learn about that.
Thanks for 2 excellent videos, and you have a new subscriber. I’m most curious to see what else you’ve done in your video library. Well met! 🤓
Thanks very much Patrick, and I hope you enjoy some of the other films....I really appreciate your message. Rgds Harry
I found this a great help a very clear video 😊
Very helpful but simple. You're a great instructor!
Thank you for this video. It was very entertaining and informative. 🙂
Excellent video. I've done some spinning in the past and had great fun with it.
Thanks
You just don’t stop learning new crafts, do you Harry? 😊👍
Very relaxing and enjoyable. Hated to see the upright go. Thanks for sharing!
Well Done Harry 👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️
Thanks very much.
I bought a second hand Traditional wheel(kit wheel they called them) in 1978 and it looks as good as the day I bought it. I must have spun more than a thousand pounds of wool on it and it works as good as ever. I only needed to change the little spring on the scotch tension with one from the Ashford maintenance kit. I found that the bobbin is too small for plying so I found an original LeClerc bobbin driven wheel in Victoria BC in 1990. It has a gigantic bobbin and it has been my dedicated plying wheel. Please let us know in the beginning if you're doing a woolen or worsted yarn. It has been my experience that to get a woolen spin yarn it is necessary to card the wool. Folding over a prepared roving will get you semi-worsted at best. love your videos.
I've been experimenting with extracting plant fibers from various plants for about the last three years. Usually i just run off a bit of cordage, it's all been just practice at traditional skills really, but I tried spinning with a make-shift drop-spindle last winter and actually ran off a good length of twine. I shouldn't be surprised at what can be achieved with make-shift tools because that's all the first-men had, but i'd be lying if i said i didnt. I've damn near perfected water-retting of Yucca filamentosa, wisteria, and another broadleaf, daylilly-like plant. This year however we had a mass of wild-seeded Golden Rod, which is quite similar in some characteristics to hemp. There's also another flowering day-lilly that gets up about 5-6ft tall that is loaded with plant-fiber but i missed optimum harvesting time so they rotted beyond use. My perferred source has quickly become wisteria, because with my method you can extract pristine core-wood which is a very suitable alternative to willow as a wicker source, which is destroyed using the japanese method. So from wisteria I get core wicker, long continous ribbons of fiber, and also fiber-backed bark which is far weaker than the fiber, but can be turned to make a light-duty cordage. Wisteria fiber is quite soft when combed. We really have a bounty of fibers all around us in plants and animals, no one has an excuse to not be clothed, what modernity has a lack of is the will to prepare it.
Wow so many plant types...thanks for posting that is really interesting.
@@harryrogers i wanted to do a video, but I wanted to wait so I could be sure of what I was saying. I'll be filming it this fall so I'll send you a link in about 10 months. I image you and your fellowship will find it interesting
Thank you for taking the time to write such a lovely, informative and interesting post. :)
Great video! How long did all this take? This is what I love about your channel, never know what the video will be, leather working, wood working and everything else!
Too long Thom, and that's before I get onto the weaving, but on a positive note, at least I am never bored!
I've just bought a third wheel, it needs a new tensioning nob so I'm off to the garage to turn one. It's my first traditional style, I'm looking forward to treadling slower!
Mine was modified with a double treadle. The flyer was modified with 9 hooks instead of 5 and mine is a combo wheel that can be setup as a DD drive or Scotch Tension wheel. I prefer DD. Working on lace weight singles then ply to use for my antique sock knitting machine. Shoes are on the list to learn how to make. My end goal with spinning is spinning linen to make my own shirt that I grew from flax in my own garden.
If you modify the flyer with extra hooks be sure to pre-drill pilot holes otherwise you will split the wood.
This is totally brilliant! You make it look easy, but I bet that it takes a fair bit of practice to put all of the stages together and get them to work! Second question - does the cat think that you're playing a game, and try to join in ? Third question - maybe in the romantic nights of old that you mention, people could do at least some of it by moonlight ? Nowadays towns have so many lights that the moonlight is just destroyed, but out in the sticks we can make full use of it ! Anyway, as always, such an interesting and educational video - thank you!
Thanks Phill...the cat would not let me even spin at first, he had to be in on the action.
I have never seen that done before. Thank you.
That’s a handsome wheel there! It looks sturdy and very functional. I’m totally new to spinning, so I’ve been watching as many videos as I can. I’m a crocheter and knitter, although my crocheting is much better than my knitting. This was super informative. Oh, and Happy New Year. 😋
Thanks
Thanks for the video Harry.
I see you made a step up board for you kitty, I made steps for my dog so she can walk up and sleep on the bed at night.
Hi Dyana...yes poor Tom is getting old and the steps help him on creaky days ...perhaps we should start selling dog and cat mobility aids!
I got a castle wheel because I learned to spin left-handed (I think). I hold the fiber in my left hand, not my right, and the single in my right.
Happy Spinning. My first wheel was an ashford traditional. Denise Morrison Fiber N ice Yarn Shop Alaska Love BFL
Harry, firstly thank you for reminding me plying can be simple. Can I ask, do I need tension on a separate lazy Kate? I have a tradition one that came with my (2nd hand) Ashford & the threads are running too fast. Will distance help or is there a way I can stop the spools on the lazy Kate over running as I ply? Jen
Hello Jen, I was using an untensioned Lazy Kate but I have now made one with a tension band that works the same as the tension band on a spinning wheel and it seems very good so perhaps you can add a spring and tension line to your Lazy Kate.
You need a cushion on your stool, then it won't hurt to sit awhile and spin.
Hello Harry, what do you weave with it? Can you knit with that yarn? I love art yarns for example, but I want to wear them, and prefer knitting. Many of these are so thick they cannot be worn.
I knit with my hand spun all the time. Sweaters. Mittens. Hats. Scarves.
Thanks Harry, that was a wonderful video
Do you always ply in the opposite direction to the way you spin?
Hi yes I think so as one twist counters the other.
Thanks
I crochet and when I use a familiar pattern, I can chat or watch t.v.
You can find something worth watching on TV ? You're doing well!
Magic!
Thank you for this video. Do you have information on maintaining the wheel? I have read that oiling the parts is needed to keep it running smoothly
Sorry no, but I think a little oil is probably a good thing.
I use two yarns to crochet oven hot pads.
Hot pads - not hot pants ? HA HA
My mom always had an old spinning wheel in the living room as decoration. I'm here because I was always curious how it worked. Also, your cat and his little nest is cute.
I have a question: how do you use/unravel the hank without getting it all tangled? I can barely untangle an extension cord when I loop it up like that, so it seems difficult.
I keep it tied in several places before use so it stores well, and then lay it flat and pull wool up and out from it...seems to work.
I will always wind a skein of yarn before using it for knitting. If you are weaving with it, perhaps there is a different process. I recently acquired a nostepinne and find that this produces lovely, non-tangling, centre-pull balls. It is a slow process but mindful - rather like spinning!
Where would you buy these
Sir I wanna get one of these spinning wheels from where should I get one
I hope to eventually use my rabbit's wool to comb through and spin. maybe
A longer draw will help to stop the over spinning of the wool and also let you run the wheel at a constant speed.
I use my chair back to wind my yarn.
Clever!
I use my foot & knee
I like your romantic idealized views of spinners from days gone by. Nothing wrong with that. :)
wow
Dear Harry,
I like your mix of topics.
I wanted to know if you had any contacts you could afford me some networking/connecting in America?
There is a USA Bodgers group, expanding and doing great stuff.
@@harryrogers Okay. Thanks.
have any of your viewers spun dog hair? my first grade teacher (about a million years), spun her collie hair into wool and made mitts and socks... my dogs have much shorter hair which might make it more difficult - anyone tried it?
Yes I know someone who mixes it with wool....without the hooks of wool it's not so good, hence mixing with wool.
@@harryrogers thanks...
My late aunt used to spin her retriever dog's fur! I'm thinking of using my maine Coon cat's fur to felt with my wool fibre.
сами вяжете свитера?
99feet
Spinning wheels are very ancient tools, that existed in late bronze age and iron ages and did not progress much during the dark ages that look very much like wagon wheels. Very primitive technology.
I don't get this hobby. Just get a rocking chair
wow