I've had my wheel about 25 years and have never used a different threading on the band for direction of spin. Never noticed a difference. My bands tend to last months and months. I spin and ply on the same wheel, often the same day, so it's really not practical to change the band all the time. Nevertheless, I am very much interested in the two types of threading. Have to give it a try. I could spin on one wheel and ply on another as I have two. Thanks so much! I thought you had to make a special kind of knot, but apparently you just have to make a secure one. Appreciate the clear, concise directions. You rock!
Thank you again Jillian. It never occurred to me to use a thinner thread for my drive band. I followed all your steps and my wheel is working perfectly. The fraycheck was also a great idea! I've only been spinning since the early 70s and there is always something more to learn, but it can die with us if we don't share it. You are doing a great job!
Howdy! I truly appreciate your step-by-step tutorial. I've been spinning for years, but learned a bunch from you about tying on drive bands & how a double-drive wheel works! Thank you! Incidentally, I just discovered my favorite band material is waxed linen. Cotton wears out & busts too fast for my taste. Hats off to you, My Dear! Thank you!
Oh, Evie, thank you! Yours is the ONLY video I've found on how to tie on a new drive band while explaining WHY the cross matters! I've wondered about it for awhile, but there are no friends or spinners in my area to ask - thank you, again! 💛
My favorite, Almost 175 year old double drive spinning wheel is from Canada and is quite cranky & cantankerous and will only work with a drive band made of heavy multi ply cotton twine. Absolutely will not work if knotted, has to be overlapped about 4 inches and hand sewed together which is time consuming. That is the way the drive band that was on it was done when I purchased it over 50 years ago. Have a recently purchased more modern wheel, double drive, which will work wifh a knotted drive band but still works best & more smoothly with the heavy multi ply twine . When demostrating spinning, I always use the old wheel because of the character, charm & personality it has, all results of some very crude repairs from its earlier days, if only it could talk!
Thank you Thank you Thank you. We acquired an antique spinning from an auction. The drive band was missing; other that is was in phenomenal condition. I dreaded adding a dive band for a double drive spinning wheel. JillianEve to the rescue!! This video made that task as easy as "wheel-bobin-wheel-whorl" (1-2-3-4). The wheel was in such good condition that we took it to a demonstration at the San Jacinto Day Festival. It worked like a charm ... until my knot on the drive band slipped. Fortunately, I had the same ball of kitchen twine with me and 1-2-3-4, the wheel was wonking once more.
Bought a antique spinningwheel in amazing condition for about 37 dollars and I had some trouble with the band. But this video fixed it and now she works amazingly! So happy to go and start spinning on her 🥰
Thank you!!! Just got replacement parts for an antique wheel in and had NO IDEA how to put the drive band on! Also, I have NO IDEA how you did tjat with just your two hands! I had to have a helper!!
Great video it helped me to set up an old spinning wheel. I found a fairly thin nylon string around 1/16" in diameter, and it worked well but I should point out that it was rectangular in shape. I think any rectangular shaped thin string will work great and because it is rectangular the knot will hold much better. This is most likely why most shoe laces are a flat rectangular shape. Some of my shoes uses a round shape lace and they keep coming loose. I am not sure where you can buy the rectangular nylon string I used since it was on an old Plumb Bob but I am sure there are some suppliers who sell it. I hope this helps someone. Cheers!
So you saved my wheel! I bought an Ashford double drive used and I thought the bands kept coming off because the wheel was warped. But it was just how the band was put on! I had a hard time finding a video when i first bought this wheel that showed how to put the band on, but since I subscribe to you...because YOU ARE AWESOME this video popped up and fixed everything! I’m so excited that my wheel works now. Thanks so much!
JillianEve thank you so much! Does one of your videos show how to easily change a bobbin and keep the correct cross, and also how to reverse the cross for plying? Or do you just tie a new band on each time? I’m going to keep watching your videos to see what else I can learn.
@@amybondanella9340 You need to tie a new cross each time but, I have a trick! Use two different colored drive bands. Tie one for Z and one for S twist. When you don't need one wrap it up around the wheel's support post/leg and slide the other one up onto the wheel. Then you won't have to retie it each time. 😊
Thank you again! I'm trying to figure out how to bend the frame on my Columbine spinning wheel so I can spin Z, not just S... Oh yeah, did I mention I warped the frame about 16 years ago when I fell against it...yep. sprung that baby good. I'm still working on fixing it...it was a dream to spin on. Single treadle, fast as all get out and so lightweight. Sooo ..just like Spring Hope springs eternal.
I just got an Asford as my antique hand me down needs a lot of work. You were the first one to give me the info I needed and you have made it easy to understand. This is the 3rd video of yours I have watched. Thank you. Now let's see if I can spin my wool 🤞
I'm also a complete newbie and so glad to have found your instructional videos! Does the direction of the opening on the little hooks on the flyer determine the direction you should spin?
When changing direction (Z to S), the old timers would pick up the drive band on the bobbin with one index finger and pick up the drive band on the whorl with the other index finger then cross them over. This puts the cross on top and takes it off the bottom with no further action required except adjusting the tension again. Ashfords are usually good about alignment but some wheels are a real pain about throwing off the drive band.
Just discovered this channel and your videos have been very helpful. For better or for worse, I was taught to spin counterclockwise and ply clockwise. It makes no difference on my Louet, but I would have liked to have seen you tie the band for counterclockwise spinning as well. If people want to ply on their DDs, it would be helpful to see that as well.
Jillian, can you show us how to change and ashford traveller 3 to a double drive, or how to replace the drive band at all on those!? Please and thank you!
THANK YOU Just bought a used wheel and thought it was broken. Video was a little painful to watch since your opening was the last hour of my life lol, but I think she's working now!
I bought a used wheel that I knew was broken. Soon as some glue dries I'm going to find out if I can fix it or not. Going to string it up just like what was shown here. Seems legit.
oh! I didn't know you need to do a crossing, that makes much sense now! I did put 2 separate bands on out antique spinning wheel. (I have a lot to learn) thx
I'm a total beginner at spinning and was trying to figure out why my drive bands were getting messed up when I did an s-twist and after watching this video I now completely understand why! Thank you so much Evie!!!
Wow!!! Great Job!!! I’m so excited for your!! This is my next step. I just got my spinner at an antique store. Now that My hubby and I figured out that I’m not missing any pieces next is to try and set up the drive band! This was super helpful. Thank you so much
if your WHEEL has a double groove in it as well, the 1st pass around the bobbin also goes in the groove closer to you on the Wheel, the second pass around the whorl then goes in the BACK groove of the wheel. And you have to have tension on the crochet cotton ball or that thing bounces everywhere and pops the thread off all the grooves. lol i just learned
Ahahaha! That first part summed up my experience perfectly. Thank you so much! And I'll try to get the picture of the Finnish wheel to you, soon. As always, thank you for a great explanation!
New sub!!! I found one of these up in my attic and was wondering what it was, it is huge... I love making things with yarn and rope. I want to learn so much.. so here I am.
I use home spun two ply linen thread on my DD wheel and my Ashford DD/SD wheel. The Ashford in DD mode requires a bit more tension than my dedicated DD wheel. Both spin real well. Until I gave a bit more tension on the Ashford in DD mode I got the same drive band popping off issues. A touch more tension fixed the issue and the bobbin side did not have too much tension as the thread is quite thin and will allow for decent slippage as needed. I can do two ply lace weight with no problems on each wheel.
@@JillianEve I also figured out I needed a leather washer between the bobbin and the flyer that is oiled and it works great. No more slop and I made sure I adjusted the mother of all to the side a bit more to better align to the wheel and all my popping off problems went away.
Thank you so much for this infomative and easy to follow tutorial. I only just recently discovered that the (old) ashford traditional that I purchased from a friend who doesn't know anything about wheels and was using as a single drive is in reality a double drive using a non-ashford flyer (a Wee Peggy??). I only learned this through a spinning group on FACEBOOK. I could figure out why a new flyer I purchased wouldn't work on my wheel. So I am going to try using it as a double drive and see how it all works for me.
Thanks for this video! I am new to spinning an appreciate all your tips. Question about this - since the cross is supposed to be at the top for spinning Z twist and the bottom for spinning S twist, does that mean that you need to re-string the drive band when you are switching between spinning singles and plying? How do you go back and forth between the two?
I have a wheel that I have been told is a flax wheel. There is no brand that I can find on it so it is likely privately made. It is a double band and I would like to learn all I can. Interesting thing ablut this wheel is that the some one hollowed the distaf for the raw flax and turned the wheel into a lamp. This was how my mother obtained it. Watching this tutorial kept me from ordering a drive band and I see that I can easily make my own. The band broke in several places due to my grand childrens interest in the wheel.
There are lots of men who spin. The men who repair wheels can spin on them. Here are a couple of you tube videos by men. There are also shop videos by men. I particularly like some of the spindle spinning videos by men. Just go for it. Gandhi was a spinner. th-cam.com/video/ouPjvt3brXA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/hpH3n3gEGY8/w-d-xo.html
Some whorls have two grooves. You'll put the band on the whorl once and the bobbin once. You might have an unused groove on the whorl and that's fine. Happy spinning!
My hero!! Thank you so much. I was actually given a “decorative” wheel that’s a beautiful and perfectly working wheel. It’s exactly like yours but mine has a long pole that comes up high by the 🧵 area. Can you tell me if this piece has a name so I can look it up and figure out it’s function?
Thank you so much for all your videos. Newbie question... should the drive band be tied snugly when the tension knob is at loosest tension? Tightest tension or somewhere in the middle? I hope I'm making sense.
I've done it different ways, but lately my method is to set the tension in the middle and tie on the band. Then I have room to adjust it either way as needed. 🧶🐑✨
Hi I just found your channel really love your attitude and think your explanations are so clear. Question, do you readjust or move the mother back to original position or leave it in the forward position after knot is tied? Thanks, I need to know!
I LOVE your videos!! This makes so much sense, and probably explains the problems I'm having with an inherited double drive wheel. It came with a spliced band. Do you have a video or other recommendation to translate the above video to a spliced loop? Thanks!!
I don't because I usually just tie the band on myself. The best way I can suggest you try it with a spliced band is to make a figure eight, remember which way you twisted the cross, put it on the wheel (you may have to lift the drive wheel off the supports to get the band around it) and then set it up to spin. Look at the cross and see if the band is rubbing on itself. If it is, take it off and twist the figure 8 the other way. That should do it! Happy spinning! 💜🧶
Greetings from the Texas Gulf Coast, USA. One thing you did not mention - if your spinning wheel has two grooves for the drive band, which groove do you use to go to the bobbin and which goes to the whorl, or does it not matter? So far my new double drive wheel throws her drive band before I can notice any differences between which groove I use when.
I have a question about this: does the different way of crossing mean I have to retie my drive band every time I switch from spinning to plying? There is no mention of different ways of tying in my Elizabeth instructions :)
Thank you for such clear instructions and explanations! I have only spun in Scotch tension so far (I currently have a Schacht Ladybug and it will do both single and double drive), but am considering a trade-up to a larger, DD Saxony wheel so I would like to try the Ladybug in DD. Dumb question: Because the band has to cross one way for Z twist and the other for S twist, I am assuming you must have to adjust it between spinning singles and plying...? I feel like this is obvious and at the same time, I cannot find an actual sentence on the internet that tells me the answer. Please help! And TIA!
I keep two drivebands on my CPW because he is a fussy antique for just this reason. Some wheels require it and some wheels can go either way regardless. Maybe you could try it without switching the band first and then reverse the cross if the band starts jumping off? 💜🧶
@@iamcharmquark No if I understood her from a previous comment she means that you have two separate drive bands for the two different uses, one for s spinning and one for z spinning. So when you stop spinning and start plying you change from your spinning drive band to your plying drive band. She told that other person to leave both drive bands on the wheel but one is hanging loose around the wheel support column while the other is engaged on the wheel to make it quicker/easier to change over from the one to the other. I think she said it also helps you if the bands are different colors.
I was given a spinning wheel as a gift from a relative but i have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what kind/type it is. Im totally into using it but it does run smoothly :
I love your videos, I have learned so much. I am a beginner. I have from a garage sale an Ashford Traditional cir 1980? It makes a clunky sound, I read that I could get a clunky wheel kit, or a double drive kit. Would you recommend a double drive kit for a beginner, what would be the advantage? Thank you.
I have an Ashford Traditional from the 1960's and it's still one of my go-to wheels. They are great spinners and yes, there are lots of attachments you can get. I would check with an Ashford dealer if you can to figure out what will work for your wheel. Some are single drive Scotch tension and some can convert to double drive. I have the bulky flyer set up for one of my Ashfords and it's awesome! I can spin lots of novelty yarns with it.
Thank you for this. I have acquired an old spinning wheel with the intent on learning how to use it. The direction of the thread is something I haven’t even considered. I have lots of crochet thread so am glad I can use that. Can I use it to attach the foot pedal to the big wheel axel rod thing too?
Wonderful! Yes, the connecting rod that goes from the crank to the treadle is called the "footman". Spinning wheel terms are strange! You can connect it with string, and I've spun with it that way on an antique wheel. You can also sometimes fashion your own out of a yardstick. :)
I just had an antique wheel restored by Bobbin Boy, and it spins okay for an awhile, but then the band slips off. I have watched your video several times and I get it on correctly, but then it slips off. Any advice?
There are aspects of this that are helpful, but it doesn't make sense to me to plan to spin in one direction, Z or S (clockwise or counterclockwise), since anyone spinning is presumably plying as well, and you have to ply in the opposite direction from the direction in which the singles were spun.
That wheel…..! It's exactly like one I was given when a friend died. I have used it but it was difficult for me as a new spinner. So I want to sell it, but I don’t know what the style name of the wheel is. Would you please tell me what it is called? Thanks. (I have a little Kiwi which I’m getting fairly competent with and I don’t have room for two. So I’ve told my friend's son that I’ll give the proceeds to charity. That will be a fitting Memorial to my friend.)
Do you have to change your drive band every time you change the direction of your spin on a double drive wheel? I think it's a good thing I only have a single drive because I'd forget every time lol. Thanks for another great video!
Sometimes I can flip directions on Elizabeth and she's ok with it. But, my Canadian Production Wheel will throw the band every time if I don't redo the drive band and reverse the cross. Some wheels are more picky than others.
@@JillianEve So, when just changing bobbins (but not spin direction) are you able to do that without cutting the band and tyeing on a new one? I tried to do that but was unable to get the band back around the wheel. Do you have any suggestions for this? And thank you for this excellent video; it got me over my first hurdle with my new (but old) Rick Reeves frame wheel.
@@RuthHenriquez1 yes, there should be a knob on the end of your wheel that has a screw mechanism connecting it to the flyer assembly.. This allows the flyer assembly to be adjusted by moving closer or further from your drive wheel. Move it closer to remove the drive band and switch bobbins, then move it back after you switch bobbins and put the drive band back on to re-tension it. ❤
@@JillianEve Thanks so much. I did try this, but I'm a clutz at getting the band back on the new bobbin even when it's loosened up. I'll have to figure it out by practicing, I think. Again, thanks for the information -- you have an amazing wealth of knowledge.
Hello! I'm a beginner, and I'm having some trouble: I have a double drive spinning wheel and put the band on exactly as you said for Z-twist (clockwise). I've quadruple-checked the cross, and it is definitely on the bottom. When I turn the wheel (clockwise, of course), it works just fine, but after a few times, the cotton thread stacks perfectly on top of itself at the edge of the wheel (and shortly after that, the top thread on the "stack" pops off the edge of the wheel). Could it be that my wheel is just slightly off-kilter instead of perfectly aligned? Or needs a deeper groove for the band? Or is it something else? Any advice you could give would be appreciated. :)
Just bought an old lady from the 1860s! I’m wondering, does it matter which groove I the driveband on off the bobbin whorl and whorl? Do I put it in the wheel groove closest to me first or does it not matter?
Oh what an exciting wheel to discover! If both the grooves in the whorl are the same diameter (for that age of wheel they usually are) it doesn't matter. Sometimes the drive band "prefers" one groove or the other so try them both and see which one spins best! Happy spinning!
aHA! so, er, spliced band, is there a good howto around on that? I ask because I've been asked to take a look at a suspected-antique wheel (when it's possible to go be near it) which I suspect is going to be of the Temperamental variety. Assuming it's not a Spinning Wheel Shaped Object.
Do you have to untie and then re-tie the driveband when you want to ply? I don’t understand what you said. I was getting ready to buy an Irish tension wheel but I don’t want to change band direction everyday.
Irish Tension only has one drive band so you won't have to worry about the cross. Some double drive wheels are fussy and will want the cross reversed if you spin the other direction. Some will spin fine with it either way. 💜🧶😃
Why are you using the breakband Groove on the bobbin and not the actual drive whirl on the bobbin? I guess it works since There is a differential between the two diameters. This could cause extra friction and wear the driveband. Does Alden Amos recommend this way of setting up, better reference my copy. In my experience the boost common cause for driveband popping off is misalignment of the big wheel not the drive band setup, though I admit I am lazy and never change the direction on my driveband and occasionally Elinore throws a fit. But on my matchless, polonaise etc it never matters, elinore just craves a bit more attention and maybe this is what she need
HELP! I am frustrated nearly to tears. Can’t tell you how many single drive wheels I have and I spin well on them. I was fortunate to pick up this Rick Reeves production wheel. Brought it home with bobbin on and spun it full. Changed to next bobbin and things went completely wrong. Trying to hold on to the drive band and replace spool at the same time seemed impossible! Off came the band. I have watched you tie on a new band but what do I do with this circle band I can’t get to work? I Spin a minute and one groove ends up with all the band in it. I surely don’t have to tie on a new band each time I change a bobbin Uggggh!
No, you should be able to use the same band until it breaks or wears out. What it sounds like to me is that something moved out of alignment when you changed the bobbin. Check to see if the band lines up or if the mother of all or the wheel itself has tipped to one side or the other. Even a little bit off alignment can cause the band to jump. I hope that helps! Happy spinning!
Did you use the wrong part of the double drive bobbin? The little whorl on the bobbin appears to be at the wrong end of the flyer? It must work though.
Oh hopefully this works. I just got an older spinning wheel and was doing OK with it until the wheel gremlins attacked and my driveband got all tangled up and wrapped around the wheel supports. Sigh.
Ok, seriously, I am confused and I hope someone sees this. I prefer to spin counterclockwise. It’s how I was taught and I’d like to stay consistent. However, a counterclockwise tie off is not demonstrated here and I’m confused. I followed the exact instructions of wheel, whorl, wheel, bobbin, but my cross ended up on the bottom, not the top. So what did I do wrong? I can’t find this visual demonstration anywhere.
If your drive band is staying on your wheel, and you get the yarn you want, then you did it right! If your drive band is popping off while you spin, try doing everything in the opposite order to see if that helps it stay on. I hope that is helpful. Some wheels aren't fussy and you can just tie it on any way and spin just fine.
How many Bowmans does it take to re-band a double drive Ashford Traveller? 3! One to keep tension on the string, one to swear, and a third to tie the knot while nodding in sympathy. 😁
Not silly at all! I don't re-tie on my Ashford because it doesn't throw the band as much, but my antique Canadian Production Wheel is finicky. If you can get away with not re-tying it, don't. I'm all for less work. If your wheel throws the band though, you might need to. 💜🧶🐑
@@JillianEve Thank you for responding so quickly! I'll try and see if it works without re-tying. I've been messing around with the band so much because it seems like the cross will kind of touch no matter which way I tie it. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get there eventually. Thank you for all your informative videos :D
What is your favorite drive band material?
100% COTTON 🌷💖🌷
Just tied on some aunt lydias fashion 3 cotton thread
100% Cotten
Right now I'm using 10/3 Romanian Hemp. I like it because it doesn't stretch much over time, and it's super strong.
perhapse you should tell us WHAT makes a good drive band material
I've had my wheel about 25 years and have never used a different threading on the band for direction of spin. Never noticed a difference. My bands tend to last months and months. I spin and ply on the same wheel, often the same day, so it's really not practical to change the band all the time. Nevertheless, I am very much interested in the two types of threading. Have to give it a try. I could spin on one wheel and ply on another as I have two. Thanks so much! I thought you had to make a special kind of knot, but apparently you just have to make a secure one. Appreciate the clear, concise directions. You rock!
I just came home with my first wheel. Thanks to you I could "mend" the band and keep practicing the "dry spinning". You've got yourself a new fan!❤
Thank you again Jillian. It never occurred to me to use a thinner thread for my drive band. I followed all your steps and my wheel is working perfectly. The fraycheck was also a great idea! I've only been spinning since the early 70s and there is always something more to learn, but it can die with us if we don't share it. You are doing a great job!
Howdy! I truly appreciate your step-by-step tutorial. I've been spinning for years, but learned a bunch from you about tying on drive bands & how a double-drive wheel works! Thank you! Incidentally, I just discovered my favorite band material is waxed linen. Cotton wears out & busts too fast for my taste. Hats off to you, My Dear! Thank you!
Finally! Band cross order explained!
I wish I could have watched this video about 9 years ago! Lol! Happy to help!
Oh, Evie, thank you! Yours is the ONLY video I've found on how to tie on a new drive band while explaining WHY the cross matters! I've wondered about it for awhile, but there are no friends or spinners in my area to ask - thank you, again! 💛
My favorite, Almost 175 year old double drive spinning wheel is from Canada and is quite cranky & cantankerous and will only work with a drive band made of heavy multi ply cotton twine. Absolutely will not work if knotted, has to be overlapped about 4 inches and hand sewed together which is time consuming. That is the way the drive band that was on it was done when I purchased it over 50 years ago. Have a recently purchased more modern wheel, double drive, which will work wifh a knotted drive band but still works best & more smoothly with the heavy multi ply twine . When demostrating spinning, I always use the old wheel because of the character, charm & personality it has, all results of some very crude repairs from its earlier days, if only it could talk!
thank you so much! I just came across a "country craftsman" wheel and would have been so lost putting the band on without this video.
Thank you Jillian, You saved my bacon! And you did it so succinctly, saving me time so that I can get back to plying. You are one of my favorites.
Thank you Thank you Thank you. We acquired an antique spinning from an auction. The drive band was missing; other that is was in phenomenal condition. I dreaded adding a dive band for a double drive spinning wheel. JillianEve to the rescue!! This video made that task as easy as "wheel-bobin-wheel-whorl" (1-2-3-4).
The wheel was in such good condition that we took it to a demonstration at the San Jacinto Day Festival. It worked like a charm ... until my knot on the drive band slipped. Fortunately, I had the same ball of kitchen twine with me and 1-2-3-4, the wheel was wonking once more.
Bought a antique spinningwheel in amazing condition for about 37 dollars and I had some trouble with the band. But this video fixed it and now she works amazingly! So happy to go and start spinning on her 🥰
o my, what I would do without you? Thank you so so much for your videos!!!!!
Thank you so much. You saved my sanity. It took me an hour struggling before I found your video.
I also use cotton yarn
Thanks a lot, this tutorial saved me and my beautiful wheel 😅 (a Symphony from Kromski)
The beginning of this made me subscribe because that was me..!!! 😭😭🤣🤣
I know because I've been there! 🙃
THANK YOU! I was gifted an Ashford spinning wheel and near thought I’d learn to work it! You have been a blessing ❤️
Thank you!!! Just got replacement parts for an antique wheel in and had NO IDEA how to put the drive band on! Also, I have NO IDEA how you did tjat with just your two hands! I had to have a helper!!
Great video it helped me to set up an old spinning wheel. I found a fairly thin nylon string around 1/16" in diameter, and it worked well but I should point out that it was rectangular in shape. I think any rectangular shaped thin string will work great and because it is rectangular the knot will hold much better. This is most likely why most shoe laces are a flat rectangular shape. Some of my shoes uses a round shape lace and they keep coming loose. I am not sure where you can buy the rectangular nylon string I used since it was on an old Plumb Bob but I am sure there are some suppliers who sell it. I hope this helps someone. Cheers!
So you saved my wheel! I bought an Ashford double drive used and I thought the bands kept coming off because the wheel was warped. But it was just how the band was put on! I had a hard time finding a video when i first bought this wheel that showed how to put the band on, but since I subscribe to you...because YOU ARE AWESOME this video popped up and fixed everything! I’m so excited that my wheel works now. Thanks so much!
I'm so glad for you and your wheel! Yay for a drive band that stays put! Happy spinning! 😁🧶💕
JillianEve thank you so much! Does one of your videos show how to easily change a bobbin and keep the correct cross, and also how to reverse the cross for plying? Or do you just tie a new band on each time? I’m going to keep watching your videos to see what else I can learn.
@@amybondanella9340 You need to tie a new cross each time but, I have a trick! Use two different colored drive bands. Tie one for Z and one for S twist. When you don't need one wrap it up around the wheel's support post/leg and slide the other one up onto the wheel. Then you won't have to retie it each time. 😊
Thank you again! I'm trying to figure out how to bend the frame on my Columbine spinning wheel so I can spin Z, not just S... Oh yeah, did I mention I warped the frame about 16 years ago when I fell against it...yep. sprung that baby good. I'm still working on fixing it...it was a dream to spin on. Single treadle, fast as all get out and so lightweight. Sooo ..just like Spring Hope springs eternal.
I just got an Asford as my antique hand me down needs a lot of work. You were the first one to give me the info I needed and you have made it easy to understand. This is the 3rd video of yours I have watched. Thank you. Now let's see if I can spin my wool 🤞
Thank you SO much!
Thank you! This video made much more sense than what I had been doing.
Thanks - inherited a spinning wheel which I at least know now is a double drive one. Complete novice just trying to get started.
Just what I needed to know thanks so much
Thank you for sharing OOPS moments. They are great warnings and it makes me feel a little less dumb when I make a mistake.
I'm also a complete newbie and so glad to have found your instructional videos! Does the direction of the opening on the little hooks on the flyer determine the direction you should spin?
When changing direction (Z to S), the old timers would pick up the drive band on the bobbin with one index finger and pick up the drive band on the whorl with the other index finger then cross them over. This puts the cross on top and takes it off the bottom with no further action required except adjusting the tension again. Ashfords are usually good about alignment but some wheels are a real pain about throwing off the drive band.
This is quite interesting. Thanks!
Just discovered this channel and your videos have been very helpful. For better or for worse, I was taught to spin counterclockwise and ply clockwise. It makes no difference on my Louet, but I would have liked to have seen you tie the band for counterclockwise spinning as well. If people want to ply on their DDs, it would be helpful to see that as well.
Thank you, this explains a lot :D I am looking forward to putting the cord correctly and having much less frustration:)
This spindle is really so versatile...thanks for sharing !!! 🙂
Jillian, can you show us how to change and ashford traveller 3 to a double drive, or how to replace the drive band at all on those!? Please and thank you!
This was so helpful. Thanks.
Thanks for the ideas! I just bought a Ladybug and was wondering what I have that might work for a double-drive drive-band when I decide to try it out.
I love your videos! Thank you! Thank you!
Thank you for the help😊
THANK YOU
Just bought a used wheel and thought it was broken. Video was a little painful to watch since your opening was the last hour of my life lol, but I think she's working now!
I bought a used wheel that I knew was broken. Soon as some glue dries I'm going to find out if I can fix it or not. Going to string it up just like what was shown here. Seems legit.
Thanks!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you found this helpful! 🥰
Thank you for sharing the best instructions that I’ve seen so far on replacing my drive band on my Ashford Elizabeth 2! It makes sense now🧶
Awesome! Happy spinning!
oh! I didn't know you need to do a crossing, that makes much sense now! I did put 2 separate bands on out antique spinning wheel. (I have a lot to learn) thx
I'm glad to help! Happy spinning!
I'm a total beginner at spinning and was trying to figure out why my drive bands were getting messed up when I did an s-twist and after watching this video I now completely understand why! Thank you so much Evie!!!
I'm so glad I could help!
Wow!!! Great Job!!! I’m so excited for your!! This is my next step. I just got my spinner at an antique store. Now that My hubby and I figured out that I’m not missing any pieces next is to try and set up the drive band! This was super helpful. Thank you so much
What a find! I hope you can get it spinning! 😊🧶💜
Loved this! So clearly put. Kudos!!
if your WHEEL has a double groove in it as well, the 1st pass around the bobbin also goes in the groove closer to you on the Wheel, the second pass around the whorl then goes in the BACK groove of the wheel. And you have to have tension on the crochet cotton ball or that thing bounces everywhere and pops the thread off all the grooves. lol i just learned
Ahahaha! That first part summed up my experience perfectly. Thank you so much! And I'll try to get the picture of the Finnish wheel to you, soon.
As always, thank you for a great explanation!
So glad I can help! As you can see...I've been there! I can't wait to see your wheel!
This is so timely! I have a new to me double drive wheel and the directions for the drive band are AWFUL!!!! Thank you so much!!! :)
Oh, how exciting! I'm so glad I could help you get your wheel going! Happy spinning! 💕
New sub!!! I found one of these up in my attic and was wondering what it was, it is huge... I love making things with yarn and rope. I want to learn so much.. so here I am.
Hmmm... how huge? You might have discovered a walking wheel in your attic!
Walk wheel thats great find
Thanks for this informative video.
I use home spun two ply linen thread on my DD wheel and my Ashford DD/SD wheel. The Ashford in DD mode requires a bit more tension than my dedicated DD wheel. Both spin real well. Until I gave a bit more tension on the Ashford in DD mode I got the same drive band popping off issues. A touch more tension fixed the issue and the bobbin side did not have too much tension as the thread is quite thin and will allow for decent slippage as needed. I can do two ply lace weight with no problems on each wheel.
Oh that's good to know about your Ashford! I might try some linen too!
@@JillianEve I also figured out I needed a leather washer between the bobbin and the flyer that is oiled and it works great. No more slop and I made sure I adjusted the mother of all to the side a bit more to better align to the wheel and all my popping off problems went away.
Thank you so much for this infomative and easy to follow tutorial. I only just recently discovered that the (old) ashford traditional that I purchased from a friend who doesn't know anything about wheels and was using as a single drive is in reality a double drive using a non-ashford flyer (a Wee Peggy??). I only learned this through a spinning group on FACEBOOK. I could figure out why a new flyer I purchased wouldn't work on my wheel. So I am going to try using it as a double drive and see how it all works for me.
Your video was awesome and just what I was looking for! it was also entertaining. Thanks so much
Thanks! I had no idea about the crossover. 👍🏻
Happy spinning!
JillianEve Check my Instagram page. I just posted my latest finish. dmbrown240 💕
Thanks for this video! I am new to spinning an appreciate all your tips. Question about this - since the cross is supposed to be at the top for spinning Z twist and the bottom for spinning S twist, does that mean that you need to re-string the drive band when you are switching between spinning singles and plying? How do you go back and forth between the two?
I have a wheel that I have been told is a flax wheel. There is no brand that I can find on it so it is likely privately made. It is a double band and I would like to learn all I can. Interesting thing ablut this wheel is that the some one hollowed the distaf for the raw flax and turned the wheel into a lamp. This was how my mother obtained it. Watching this tutorial kept me from ordering a drive band and I see that I can easily make my own. The band broke in several places due to my grand childrens interest in the wheel.
Oh dear! It became part of the lamp trend! I hope it isn't too damaged. Let us know if you get it spinning! 💜🧶
I inherited my Mother's Antique Spinning Wheel!I am interested in the science of good spinning!I has been suggested I learn to spin.Do men spin wool?
There are lots of men who spin. The men who repair wheels can spin on them. Here are a couple of you tube videos by men. There are also shop videos by men. I particularly like some of the spindle spinning videos by men. Just go for it. Gandhi was a spinner. th-cam.com/video/ouPjvt3brXA/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/hpH3n3gEGY8/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for this I've done this before x
It usually happens to me when I switch from Z to S and don't switch the band. My CPW is very picky!
@@JillianEve lol I don't have that problem on gwen just my little travel ones x
Can you perhaps use butchers twine
I just got an antique Saxon spinning wheel and it has TWO grooves in the wheel. Do I put one string in each groove or both in one?
Some whorls have two grooves. You'll put the band on the whorl once and the bobbin once. You might have an unused groove on the whorl and that's fine. Happy spinning!
My hero!! Thank you so much. I was actually given a “decorative” wheel that’s a beautiful and perfectly working wheel. It’s exactly like yours but mine has a long pole that comes up high by the 🧵 area. Can you tell me if this piece has a name so I can look it up and figure out it’s function?
Might be a distaff?
Thank you so much for all your videos. Newbie question... should the drive band be tied snugly when the tension knob is at loosest tension? Tightest tension or somewhere in the middle? I hope I'm making sense.
I've done it different ways, but lately my method is to set the tension in the middle and tie on the band. Then I have room to adjust it either way as needed. 🧶🐑✨
Hahahahaha thank you for been so, funny🤣😂😅.
Hi I just found your channel really love your attitude and think your explanations are so clear. Question, do you readjust or move the mother back to original position or leave it in the forward position after knot is tied? Thanks, I need to know!
I LOVE your videos!! This makes so much sense, and probably explains the problems I'm having with an inherited double drive wheel. It came with a spliced band. Do you have a video or other recommendation to translate the above video to a spliced loop? Thanks!!
I don't because I usually just tie the band on myself. The best way I can suggest you try it with a spliced band is to make a figure eight, remember which way you twisted the cross, put it on the wheel (you may have to lift the drive wheel off the supports to get the band around it) and then set it up to spin. Look at the cross and see if the band is rubbing on itself. If it is, take it off and twist the figure 8 the other way. That should do it! Happy spinning! 💜🧶
Greetings from the Texas Gulf Coast, USA. One thing you did not mention - if your spinning wheel has two grooves for the drive band, which groove do you use to go to the bobbin and which goes to the whorl, or does it not matter? So far my new double drive wheel throws her drive band before I can notice any differences between which groove I use when.
I have a question about this: does the different way of crossing mean I have to retie my drive band every time I switch from spinning to plying? There is no mention of different ways of tying in my Elizabeth instructions :)
I have a nilus leclerc how do I know if i am suppose to spin clockwise or counter clockwise
Thank you for such clear instructions and explanations! I have only spun in Scotch tension so far (I currently have a Schacht Ladybug and it will do both single and double drive), but am considering a trade-up to a larger, DD Saxony wheel so I would like to try the Ladybug in DD. Dumb question: Because the band has to cross one way for Z twist and the other for S twist, I am assuming you must have to adjust it between spinning singles and plying...? I feel like this is obvious and at the same time, I cannot find an actual sentence on the internet that tells me the answer. Please help! And TIA!
I keep two drivebands on my CPW because he is a fussy antique for just this reason. Some wheels require it and some wheels can go either way regardless. Maybe you could try it without switching the band first and then reverse the cross if the band starts jumping off? 💜🧶
@@JillianEve Do you mean you keep one crossed one way and one crossed the other? I feel super dense! haha
@@iamcharmquark No if I understood her from a previous comment she means that you have two separate drive bands for the two different uses, one for s spinning and one for z spinning. So when you stop spinning and start plying you change from your spinning drive band to your plying drive band. She told that other person to leave both drive bands on the wheel but one is hanging loose around the wheel support column while the other is engaged on the wheel to make it quicker/easier to change over from the one to the other. I think she said it also helps you if the bands are different colors.
I was given a spinning wheel as a gift from a relative but i have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what kind/type it is. Im totally into using it but it does run smoothly :
I just bought a basket case spinning wheel. This looks like the way it is supposed to be driven to me. Soon as some glue dries I'll find out.
How do you get the the bobbin to take up the material?
I have a video showing that part in detail. 💜🧶😊 th-cam.com/video/dgOGF7ESUWU/w-d-xo.html
I love your videos, I have learned so much. I am a beginner. I have from a garage sale an Ashford Traditional cir 1980? It makes a clunky sound, I read that I could get a clunky wheel kit, or a double drive kit. Would you recommend a double drive kit for a beginner, what would be the advantage? Thank you.
I have an Ashford Traditional from the 1960's and it's still one of my go-to wheels. They are great spinners and yes, there are lots of attachments you can get. I would check with an Ashford dealer if you can to figure out what will work for your wheel. Some are single drive Scotch tension and some can convert to double drive. I have the bulky flyer set up for one of my Ashfords and it's awesome! I can spin lots of novelty yarns with it.
Thank you for this. I have acquired an old spinning wheel with the intent on learning how to use it. The direction of the thread is something I haven’t even considered. I have lots of crochet thread so am glad I can use that. Can I use it to attach the foot pedal to the big wheel axel rod thing too?
Wonderful! Yes, the connecting rod that goes from the crank to the treadle is called the "footman". Spinning wheel terms are strange! You can connect it with string, and I've spun with it that way on an antique wheel. You can also sometimes fashion your own out of a yardstick. :)
@@JillianEve thank you, that’s most helpful and will also stop me referring to parts as thingys. 🙂
I just had an antique wheel restored by Bobbin Boy, and it spins okay for an awhile, but then the band slips off. I have watched your video several times and I get it on correctly, but then it slips off. Any advice?
There are aspects of this that are helpful, but it doesn't make sense to me to plan to spin in one direction, Z or S (clockwise or counterclockwise), since anyone spinning is presumably plying as well, and you have to ply in the opposite direction from the direction in which the singles were spun.
You have to undo that when plying? Newbie here!
SOS!!!! Treadle Footman Connector on my Lendrum wheel broke. What to do? How to replace it? Is there a video on how to do it? Please help.
That wheel…..! It's exactly like one I was given when a friend died. I have used it but it was difficult for me as a new spinner. So I want to sell it, but I don’t know what the style name of the wheel is.
Would you please tell me what it is called? Thanks.
(I have a little Kiwi which I’m getting fairly competent with and I don’t have room for two. So I’ve told my friend's son that I’ll give the proceeds to charity. That will be a fitting Memorial to my friend.)
My CPW prefers white butcher cord
Do you have to change your drive band every time you change the direction of your spin on a double drive wheel? I think it's a good thing I only have a single drive because I'd forget every time lol. Thanks for another great video!
Sometimes I can flip directions on Elizabeth and she's ok with it. But, my Canadian Production Wheel will throw the band every time if I don't redo the drive band and reverse the cross. Some wheels are more picky than others.
@@JillianEve So, when just changing bobbins (but not spin direction) are you able to do that without cutting the band and tyeing on a new one? I tried to do that but was unable to get the band back around the wheel. Do you have any suggestions for this? And thank you for this excellent video; it got me over my first hurdle with my new (but old) Rick Reeves frame wheel.
@@RuthHenriquez1 yes, there should be a knob on the end of your wheel that has a screw mechanism connecting it to the flyer assembly.. This allows the flyer assembly to be adjusted by moving closer or further from your drive wheel. Move it closer to remove the drive band and switch bobbins, then move it back after you switch bobbins and put the drive band back on to re-tension it. ❤
@@JillianEve Thanks so much. I did try this, but I'm a clutz at getting the band back on the new bobbin even when it's loosened up. I'll have to figure it out by practicing, I think. Again, thanks for the information -- you have an amazing wealth of knowledge.
So my double drive will only turn the flyer if the wheel is moving counterclockwise. Any suggestions?
Could I use elastic for drive band?
Elastic usually doesn't work as well for a double drive wheel, but you can always try an see!
Hello! I'm a beginner, and I'm having some trouble: I have a double drive spinning wheel and put the band on exactly as you said for Z-twist (clockwise). I've quadruple-checked the cross, and it is definitely on the bottom. When I turn the wheel (clockwise, of course), it works just fine, but after a few times, the cotton thread stacks perfectly on top of itself at the edge of the wheel (and shortly after that, the top thread on the "stack" pops off the edge of the wheel). Could it be that my wheel is just slightly off-kilter instead of perfectly aligned? Or needs a deeper groove for the band? Or is it something else? Any advice you could give would be appreciated. :)
That does sound like an alignment issue. Try turning the wheel supports to realign the wheel. I hope that solves it!
What exactly are you realigning the wheel with? I'm assuming one of the whorls, but which one, please?
Is there some reason you can't use 2 separate strands for each line?
How can you tell if your wheel is double drive or single drive
Just bought an old lady from the 1860s! I’m wondering, does it matter which groove I the driveband on off the bobbin whorl and whorl? Do I put it in the wheel groove closest to me first or does it not matter?
Oh what an exciting wheel to discover! If both the grooves in the whorl are the same diameter (for that age of wheel they usually are) it doesn't matter. Sometimes the drive band "prefers" one groove or the other so try them both and see which one spins best! Happy spinning!
aHA! so, er, spliced band, is there a good howto around on that? I ask because I've been asked to take a look at a suspected-antique wheel (when it's possible to go be near it) which I suspect is going to be of the Temperamental variety. Assuming it's not a Spinning Wheel Shaped Object.
Do you have to untie and then re-tie the driveband when you want to ply? I don’t understand what you said. I was getting ready to buy an Irish tension wheel but I don’t want to change band direction everyday.
Irish Tension only has one drive band so you won't have to worry about the cross. Some double drive wheels are fussy and will want the cross reversed if you spin the other direction. Some will spin fine with it either way. 💜🧶😃
Why are you using the breakband Groove on the bobbin and not the actual drive whirl on the bobbin? I guess it works since There is a differential between the two diameters. This could cause extra friction and wear the driveband. Does Alden Amos recommend this way of setting up, better reference my copy.
In my experience the boost common cause for driveband popping off is misalignment of the big wheel not the drive band setup, though I admit I am lazy and never change the direction on my driveband and occasionally Elinore throws a fit. But on my matchless, polonaise etc it never matters, elinore just craves a bit more attention and maybe this is what she need
HELP! I am frustrated nearly to tears. Can’t tell you how many single drive wheels I have and I spin well on them. I was fortunate to pick up this Rick Reeves production wheel. Brought it home with bobbin on and spun it full. Changed to next bobbin and things went completely wrong. Trying to hold on to the drive band and replace spool at the same time seemed impossible! Off came the band. I have watched you tie on a new band but what do I do with this circle band I can’t get to work? I Spin a minute and one groove ends up with all the band in it. I surely don’t have to tie on a new band each time I change a bobbin Uggggh!
No, you should be able to use the same band until it breaks or wears out. What it sounds like to me is that something moved out of alignment when you changed the bobbin. Check to see if the band lines up or if the mother of all or the wheel itself has tipped to one side or the other. Even a little bit off alignment can cause the band to jump. I hope that helps! Happy spinning!
@@JillianEve thank you. It helped.
What is the book you are looking at in the beginning of the video?
Did you use the wrong part of the double drive bobbin? The little whorl on the bobbin appears to be at the wrong end of the flyer? It must work though.
Oh hopefully this works. I just got an older spinning wheel and was doing OK with it until the wheel gremlins attacked and my driveband got all tangled up and wrapped around the wheel supports. Sigh.
So, does everyone use a square knot?
Ok, seriously, I am confused and I hope someone sees this. I prefer to spin counterclockwise. It’s how I was taught and I’d like to stay consistent.
However, a counterclockwise tie off is not demonstrated here and I’m confused. I followed the exact instructions of wheel, whorl, wheel, bobbin, but my cross ended up on the bottom, not the top. So what did I do wrong? I can’t find this visual demonstration anywhere.
If your drive band is staying on your wheel, and you get the yarn you want, then you did it right! If your drive band is popping off while you spin, try doing everything in the opposite order to see if that helps it stay on. I hope that is helpful. Some wheels aren't fussy and you can just tie it on any way and spin just fine.
What if you have a double treadle? One treadle handles clockwise, the other anticlockwise..
Regardless of how you make the drive wheel turn, the way you tie the cross will still work the same way. 🐑✨🧶
How many Bowmans does it take to re-band a double drive Ashford Traveller? 3! One to keep tension on the string, one to swear, and a third to tie the knot while nodding in sympathy. 😁
🤣
So that’s what I’m missing, the other two of me! LOLOL Drive bands are a lot more of a pain than I would ever have guessed!
What is the difference between a double and a single spinning wheel? If you have a video explaining that, could you give me the title of the video?
This might be a silly question, but does that then mean that you re-tie the drive band everytime you want to ply?
Not silly at all! I don't re-tie on my Ashford because it doesn't throw the band as much, but my antique Canadian Production Wheel is finicky. If you can get away with not re-tying it, don't. I'm all for less work. If your wheel throws the band though, you might need to. 💜🧶🐑
@@JillianEve Thank you for responding so quickly! I'll try and see if it works without re-tying. I've been messing around with the band so much because it seems like the cross will kind of touch no matter which way I tie it. Oh well, I'm sure I'll get there eventually. Thank you for all your informative videos :D