The Short Draw by Carol Huebscher Rhoades

Worsted spinning makes a smooth, dense, and lustrous yarn, with the fibers lying parallel to each other along the yarn’s length. While you can use the short draw for short or long fibers, industry uses staples three inches or longer for worsted yarns. Choose a good quality fleece with long and even staples. Combing yields the smoothest preparation for worsted spinning. You can comb your own top or purchase commercially prepared tops. To draft easily and quickly, elongate or strip the roving or top in proportion to the desired yarn size. Oil the wheel well and adjust it so that the tension allows you to draft without adding too much twist. Work slowly until you feel comfortable with the drafting process, and use a contrast cloth on your lap to see the drafting zone clearly.

Get a free download of Carol's step-by-step instructions for short-forward draw in the Spin Off Library.