Common Spinning Wheel Mistakes and Fixes

Spinning is more than a craft; it's a conversation between your hands, your wheel, and the fibre. It's meditative, rhythmic, and deeply satisfying… until something goes wrong. Perhaps the yarn keeps breaking, or nothing is winding onto the bobbin, or the twist just isn't quite right. These hiccups can shake your confidence, but rest assured: even the most experienced spinners run into them. The good news is that most spinning wheel problems have simple, practical fixes.

This guide is designed to gently walk you through the most common mistakes encountered while spinning yarn and provide guidance on how to resolve them. With thoughtful maintenance, a bit of troubleshooting, and the proper setup, you'll not only improve your yarn quality but also rediscover the joy of the process.

Why Troubleshooting Matters in Spinning

Spinning is as much about feel and rhythm as it is about mechanics. When something is off, it interrupts the flow. Your hands might fumble, the fibre might resist, the yarn may snap, drift apart or not even find its way onto the bobbin and the meditative calm quickly turns into frustration.

Troubleshooting helps restore balance, not just in the yarn you're making, but in your connection to your tools and materials. Every time you learn to tune your wheel, you deepen your relationship with the craft. Let's explore the common pitfalls that can derail your spinning joy, and how to rectify them.

Mistake 1: Imprecise Tension Settings

Tension is the heart of your spinning experience. It determines how your yarn twists and winds onto the bobbin. When tension is off, the yarn may overtwist, kink, or fall apart entirely.

Signs Your Tension Is Off

• Yarn regularly snaps, produces “pig tails” or drifts apart.
• Yarn won't wind onto the bobbin.
• Excessive twist builds up in front of the orifice.
• Sluggish or jerky take-up.

How to Adjust Tension for Smooth Spinning

If your yarn is drifting apart, your plyback sample doesn’t have enough twist, or the yarn is being pulled out of your hand, you may need to reduce the uptake or tension. This will allow more twist to build in the yarn. On the other hand, if your yarn is snapping, forming coils or “pig tails,” or if take-up feels sluggish, try increasing the uptake or tension.

On Scotch and Irish tension wheels, take-up is adjusted by tightening or loosening the brake band. The brake band sits on a whorl on the flyer for Scotch tension wheels, while on Irish tension wheels, it sits directly on the bobbin.

For double-drive systems, where the drive band loops over both the flyer and bobbin, you can balance the tension by moving the mother-of-all slightly to increase or reduce tension.

Pro tip: Make small adjustments and test often. Even tiny changes can make a noticeable difference.

Explore spare parts and tension components in our Spinning Wheel Parts & Accessories collection.

Mistake 2: No Take-Up on the Bobbin

Take-up is the gentle pull that draws yarn onto the bobbin after it is twisted. Without it, you'll be left with a tangle of overtwisted fibre and a whole lot of frustration.

Common Causes of Take-Up Failure

• Loose or stretched drive band.
• No tension
• Brake band too slack or too tight.
• Worn or sticky flyer bearings.
• Misaligned or incorrectly installed bobbin.

Check that your drive band is snug and correctly placed. If needed, consider a replacement option such as the Schacht Cotton Drive Band or the Schacht Ladybug Drive Band.

Fixes to Restore Consistent Take-Up

• Ensure the braking mechanism is on correctly before adjusting brake tension gradually.
• Lubricate moving parts with Ashford Spinning Wheel Oil.
• Replace or tighten the conrod joint if worn.
• Reposition hooks on the flyer to distribute yarn evenly.

Mistake 3: Misaligned or Slipping Drive Band

When your drive band is not aligned correctly or has stretched out, you'll feel it. The rhythm becomes uneven, the tension fluctuates, and your yarn may end up lumpy or inconsistent.

How to Identify Misalignment or Loose Drive Bands

• The flyer slows down or stops unexpectedly.
• Uneven or stalling take-up.
• A clicking or slipping sound while treadling.
• Drive band falls off frequently.

Realigning and Replacing Drive Bands

• Check the groove alignment between the flyer and the drive wheel. Some wheels, particularly those in the Saxony style, have adjustable parts that allow you to realign the drive wheel and flyer.
• Replace overstretched bands with a new one designed for your wheel, such as the Ladybug Drive Band or create your own using a maintenance kit.
• Release tension when not in use to prevent unnecessary stretching of the band.

Keep a spare on hand from our selection of Drive Bands.

Mistake 4: Spinning in the Wrong Direction

Direction matters more than you think. Twisting fibre the wrong way can result in weak, unbalanced yarn, mainly when plying or using certain types of fibre.

Understanding S and Z Twist

• Z-twist spins to the right (clockwise) and is often used for singles.
• S-twist spins to the left (anticlockwise) and is commonly used when plying Z-twist singles.

Choosing the right twist depends on your intended purpose and fibre type. For example, crocheters often prefer to spin Z and ply S, while knitters might favour the opposite. This is because the action of crocheting or knitting can either add to or subtract from the yarn’s twist, affecting how the finished fabric behaves.

Plant fibres, such as cotton, typically benefit from a higher twist to add strength. Singles spun in the Z direction are common for cotton, but adjusting twist levels is key to balancing durability and softness.

How to Check and Correct Spinning Direction

Start by observing the flyer and wheel rotation as you treadle. Ensure the wheel is turning in the correct direction for the twist you want (Z or S). If it’s not, gently stop and adjust by either reversing your treadling direction or giving the wheel a careful hand push to start it in the desired direction.

Spin a short sample and check the twist visually. For singles, the slant of the fibres will show whether it’s Z or S. If you’re plying, always ply in the opposite direction of your singles. Plying in the same direction as the singles will create an unbalanced yarn that twists back on itself, appearing kinky, unstable, and lacking the smoothness of properly plied yarn.

Mistake 5: Back-to-Front Bobbin Installation

It is an easy one to miss, but installing your bobbin the wrong way can interfere with yarn flow and tension.

Symptoms of a Reversed Bobbin

• Yarn snags or catches unexpectedly.
• The bobbin resists spinning.
• Uneven or jerky take-up.

Proper Bobbin Placement and Tips

• Scotch or Irish tension: Place the small whorl end to the front, larger end to the back.
• Double drive: Place the larger end to the front (opposite of Scotch/Irish).
• Mark one end of your bobbins discreetly so you can quickly confirm correct placement every time.

Mistake 6: Neglecting Wheel Maintenance

Your spinning wheel is a loyal companion, but like all tools, it thrives with regular care.

Lubrication and Cleaning

• Use Ashford Spinning Wheel Oil for smooth motion.
• Clean off dust and fibre debris weekly.
• Oil flyer, treadle joints, and wheel bearings according to your manual.
• Some wheels, such as those with plastic bearings, require little to no oil. Always check your wheel's manual for diagrams and specific guidance.

Routine Checks to Prevent Damage

Seasonal check-ups help your wheel stay in top form. Use the Ashford Maintenance Kit to:

• Inspect drive band wear.
• Check flyer and bobbin alignment.
• Tighten treadle connectors and joints.

Keeping a Spinning Record for Better Results

One of the best ways to grow your skills is to keep a spinning log. Recording your settings, fibre types, and results can help you recreate your favourite yarns or avoid repeating mistakes.

What to Record

• Tension setting and drive mode (Scotch, Irish, or Double)
• Fibre type (for example, Corriedale or Cotton)
• Yarn style: worsted or woollen
• WPI (wraps per inch)
• Ply-back sample results
• Angle of twist
• Source and fibre prep
• Notes on any wheel adjustments made

A simple notebook or spreadsheet can make a significant difference to your consistency and confidence.

Final Thoughts on Improving Your Spinning Experience

Every spinner, whether beginner or seasoned, runs into wheel troubles from time to time. These little mistakes are not failures; they are invitations to slow down, tune in, and learn. With every fix, you gain more confidence, more control, and more joy in your craft.

Spinning is not just about making yarn. It is about connecting to your tools, your fibres, and the wider community of makers. If your wheel needs a refresh, explore our range of spinning wheel accessories, including ethically sourced fibres from plants to animals, and plenty of helpful tools like the Ashford Diz Stick and Yarn Gauge.

With a bit of care, the proper guidance, and a spirit of curiosity, your spinning will become even more rewarding. Happy spinning, and may your bobbins always fill with ease!