Preparing the Wheel For Spinning
If you are using a new bobbin on your spinning wheel, you first need to tie a leader. The leader thread
or yarn should be at least 2 feet long. Tie one end of the leader to the center of the bobbin's core, and thread the rest
of the leader through all of the hooks on one side of the flyer towards the orifice. Stick the end of the leader through the orifice.
I like to tie a loop on the end of my leader so that I can begin spinning by sticking my fiber into the loop. Start treadling the wheel. If the
leader and yarn is not wrapping onto the bobbin, you need to tighten the tension of your wheel.
(QuickTime Video - size: 1.4M)
Predrafting the Fiber
If you are using a fiber that has been stored for a long time and has become flattened. You can predraft the fiber to bring it back to life.
It is also a good idea to pre-draft commercially prepared fibers that have been compressed to loosen up the fibers and make them
easier to draft when spinning. To predraft, you hold a manageable strip of fiber in your two hands and gently pull the fiber until you feel
the fiber loosening up and slipping apart. If you pull too hard you will pull the fibers completely apart. You only want to loosen the fibers.
When you finish with one section, slide you hands down the fiber and repeat the procedure until you reach the end of the strip.
