Alpaca Fiber | Preparing Alpaca for Spinning | Fiber & the Spinning Wheel

We started with and still use the Ashford's Traveller.  It is called a castle wheel.  We like this style because it doesn't take up much room and can be used anywhere.

Speed and Ratio: determines the amount of twist put into the yarn you are spinning.  It is better to look for a wheel with a good ratio range. i.e. 6:1 up to 16:1

Alpaca fleece is fine so it needs to be spun a little faster to give it more twist.  Our wheel's ratio is adjustable.  It adjusts from 5.5, 10 & 14 to 1

Single drive vs. double drive:  Everyone has different opinions.  We were new to spinning and we started with the single drive with the scotch tension system.  We were told it is the easier one to learn on.  

You will also need extra bobbins, a lazy kate (it came with our wheel), and a niddy noddy.

If you are a beginner, we recommend the book Hands on Spinning .  It is a wonderful book that includes information on fiber preparation, drafting and spinning techniques, plying, and there's even a section on storing wool and yarn.

When learning to spin don't get discouraged.  As for my husband, he's a natural.  When he started it looked like he had been spinning all of his life.  As for me, well what can I say.  Practice, practice, and practice some more.  Be sure to use the fleece you like the least to practice on because my first yarns looked like lumpy ropes.