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Handspinning Techniques - TPI & Wheel Ratios

Please Note: The videos on this website are currently not working because I had a server crash and have not been able to get them working properly.

TPI and Wheel Ratios Video

TPI and Wheel Ratios

Most spinning wheels have more than one whorl on the flyer. This allows you to spin at different twists per inch more easily. This is similar to the various reed sizes that are available to handweavers, allowing them better control of the sett of their cloth.

I am spinning this semi-worsted yarn on my old Lendrum spinning wheel. The whorl size that I’m using spins at a ratio of 8:1. This means that every time the big wheel makes one revolution, the smaller whorl goes around 8 times.

In order to spin at 8 twists per inch (TPI), every time I treadle, the larger wheel goes around once. With the worsted spinning method that I am using, I advance my right hand down 1 inch. This allows the wheel to put 8 twists into that 1 inch of yarn. By maintaining an even treadling, and moving my hand at a consistent rate of 1 inch, the finished yarn will be spun at 8 TPI.

You can check this at any time, by stopping the wheel. Draw a bit of yarn out of the bobbin and let it spin back onto itself. Count the number of twists in the yarn. It should be at 8 TPI.

If I wish to spin at a lower TPI,
e.g. 4 TPI

then I can advance my hand down at a faster rate.

Sliding my hand down 2 inches for each treadle, will produce a yarn of 4 TPI.

You could conceivably spin just about any twist or thickness of yarn using only 1 whorl size, but it is easier to select the whorl ratio that is closest to your desired yarn. If you wish to spin a high twist yarn of 18 TPI, then choosing a high ratio whorl would make your spinning much more effortless.

Crimp and Twist

You Tube – Spinning Worsted Yarn

Because my video is not available, I have included one from You Tube demonstrating how to spin a worsted yarn.

Spinning Wheels – EBay Watch

 

VINTAGE WELSH SPINNING WHEEL KNIT WALES KNITTING COLOR 11x17 PHOTO PRINT 1480

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VINTAGE WELSH SPINNING WHEEL KNIT WALES KNITTING COLOR 11x17 PHOTO PRINT 1480
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Babe's Fiber Garden ST Starter Spinning Wheel w/Wool

Babe's Fiber Garden ST Starter Spinning Wheel w/Wool
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Babe's Fiber Garden ST Starter Spinning Wheel w/Wool
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BURGOYNE HAND MADE CARD SEALED FOR NEW BABY

BURGOYNE HAND MADE CARD SEALED FOR NEW BABY
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2 IRISH WELSH SPINNING WHEEL 11x17 PHOTOCHROM PRINTS CELTIC IRELAND ENGLAND P35

2 IRISH WELSH SPINNING WHEEL 11x17 PHOTOCHROM PRINTS CELTIC IRELAND ENGLAND P35
Current price:
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2 IRISH WELSH SPINNING WHEEL 11x17 PHOTOCHROM PRINTS CELTIC IRELAND ENGLAND P35
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Handmade Oak Spinning Wheel

Handmade Oak Spinning Wheel
Current price:
$31.00
Type:
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Lot 6 cross stitch books ALL COUNTRY DESIGNS nostalgia, old-fashioned motifs

Lot 6 cross stitch books ALL COUNTRY DESIGNS nostalgia, old-fashioned motifs
Current price:
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Ends in:
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Lot 6 cross stitch books ALL COUNTRY DESIGNS nostalgia, old-fashioned motifs
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Handspinning Books: Wool Spinning

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This page last edited on June 25, 2011

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