Carole asked me for any hints in attaching a roving to the leader when spinning. I remember this being a sticking point when I started spinning myself not all that long ago until someone passed this tip to me. Instead of just sending her the photos, I figured a post, explaining each photo, would maybe be a better idea, and who knows, maybe someone else might find this of use as well. BTW, the same technique works well with a spindle too. This post is going to be photo rich. Click the images for a larger view.
1. I take a length a yarn (usually some left over sock yarn) twice as long as you would normally use. Fold in half and tie the ends together, making a big loop. Take the end with the knot and wrap it around the bobbin once. Feed the other end through and pull tight. I usually slide it to the far end of the bobbin as that end is the one short little me can see when I sit at a wheel.
2. I then thread the looped end through the hooks on the flyer and the orifice as normal. Make sure if you have hooks like this Ashford Flyer on my Merlin Tree Hitchhiker here that you get both strands of the leader threaded properly. I’ve had one get stuck in the hooks. Sort of like making sure you pick up all the plies when knitting. Anyway, I now have the looped end out the orifice.
3. Use your fingers to open the loop…
4. Fold this loop back on the leader length and pull a loop of the leader through….
5. Here you can see the new loop that is formed. I’m sure this knot has a name, but I can’t for the life of me remember what its called. If I get bored, I’ll go and google a name for it.
**Edited to add that Elaine provided the name for this knot: The Larkshead. Here’s a good up close demo for it.
6. I then take a bit of the fiber I want to spin, here you see a bit of romney roving, smoothing out just under a fiber length.
7. I feed the prepped fiber through the new loop shown in step 5.
8. Gently pull the leader loop tight, making sure to hold the fiber secure.
9. Fold the fiber bits in half and tighten both loops that form.
10. Finally, ready to spin and very rarely do the works disconnect.
I do hope someone got some use out of this.
Craft on!
