How to Adjust Brake Tension on a Spinning Wheel (Scotch Tension, Irish Tension and Double Drive)

The first of a series for beginner wheel spinners, this video goes through the three most common tension systems found on spinning wheels - Scotch Tension, Irish Tension and Double Drive. Of course, knowing how a wheel works is one thing, knowing how to use your hands to create the yarn you want is another! I'm sure I've forgotten something so please do leave a comment and let me know what you think.
The wheels featured are a Schacht Matchless and a Louet S10C in the Irish tension configuration. Note that the Matchless can do all three systems but its Irish tension is atypical and I didn’t want to confuse anyone!
**I love helping people learn about fibre arts... I also have to pay the bills! A lot of work goes into these videos so if you found it helpful, please consider supporting the channel by:
joining my Patreon: / tinyfibrestudio or buying me a ‘virtual coffee’ via my Ko-Fi account : www.ko-fi.com/tinyfibrestudio Thank you!**
00:00 Intro
00:46 Terminology
1:55 Types of drive systems overview
3:19 Scotch Tension (flyer led)
5:57 Irish Tension (bobbin led)
8:46 Double Drive
11:52 Which drive system is 'best'?

[@TinyFibreStudio]

00:00 Intro 00:46 Terminology 1:55 Types of drive systems overview 3:19 Scotch Tension (flyer led) 5:57 Irish Tension (bobbin led) 8:46 Double Drive 11:52 Which drive system is 'best'? **I love helping people learn about fibre arts... I also have to pay the bills! A lot of work goes into these videos so if you found it helpful, please consider supporting the channel by: joining my Patreon: www.patreon.com/TinyFibreStudio or buying me a ‘virtual coffee’ via my Ko-Fi account : www.ko-fi.com/tinyfibrestudio Thank you!**

[@elena7834]

I love how your cat is just wandering in and out of scenes and feels comfortable trying to snuggle with you as you're spinning. Very cute !

[@surrattcindy]

An instructor sent me this way to learn more of double drive since I can’t find anything anywhere further than setting up DD. This is an amazing resource. Thank you so much!! I can’t believe I didn’t find this earlier, as I am a subscriber. In answer to your question, I’m in the USA and most everyone here uses scotch tension from what I’ve seen. Have a beautiful day and happy spinning!! ❤

[@jamiethrogmorton2540]

I have an Ashford Traveler that can do ST and DT. My first (and only) spinning teacher said to start with ST then progress to DT. I’m happy to know it’s relatively better for finer yarns as that’s what I like to knit with. Thanks for all your clear and helpful videos. 🎉🎉🎉

[@tomice]

Thank you for a really helpful video for the aspiring spinner. A little aside watching another spinning channel I came across probably the best explanation of why scotch tension is so called. It’s nothing to do with the country but rather an old meaning of the word scotch which at that point was a verb or noun. To scotch a wheel was to stop it moving, and a scotch is what we would now call a wheel chock. I’m assuming as this went out of use people thought it referred to Scotland and then flyer led tension probably got named Irish tension by default.

[@janelang1717]

I can relate to this definition. My Mum, aged 88, talks about her plans being 'scotched', as in no longer happening. She is from West Yorkshire in England.

[@jacquelinebrown8997]

Hi Becks, my name is Jackie:-) I want to thank you so much. I was given a CPW wheel a year ago. I had taken a class but never on double drive. I have watched many u tube but yours showed me I had it tied wrong. I have made correction and now can control the speed. Thank you!

[@GrovelandGeek]

I ended up here after reading the book - The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World - In the book they talk about how there was always a shortage of thread before the industrial revolution so when people had down time they were making thread. After reading that I wanted to find out how a spinning wheel worked. Most videos are pretty high level. This is the first one that I saw that explained the secret sauce is that the speed of the bobbin and flyer are independent and it is the ratio between the two speeds that determine if you are adding a twist to the thread or wrapping the thread around the bobbin. People make this look so easy to do but after this video it appears the whole process is quite fiddly with all the different adjustments and tensions.

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Thanks for your feedback Tom - I’m really glad you found it helpful. I really need to get round to reading that book! I often think about how spinning is such a niche activity now but pre-industrial revolution it was something everyone would have been doing. When you think about clothing, ship sails, mummy wrappings etc. and the fact that every inch of that thread was spun by hand it’s pretty mind blowing. I wanted this video to be accessible to beginners but also to show how it really works mechanically. While I was making it there were times when I’d write something in the script and think ‘hang on, is that really how it works?’ and I’d have to go and check on one of my wheels. The key ingredient alongside the flyer and bobbin going at different speeds is whether or not you have tension on the yarn - when you do, the components behave in a totally different way compared to when there’s no tension. Hope you enjoyed your foray into the world of spinning! 😃

[@jackiehopson3745]

Excellent, clear explanations. A valuable resource to revisit. As someone new to wheel spinning (I have an Ashford), I am finding the technical info really helpful, particularly with regard to tension. Thank you!

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you enjoy your new wheel!

[@marthaopitz392]

This is the best description of the spinning wheel and how it works that I have seen.

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Thank you so much Martha. I’m glad it was useful.

[@rossedennz]

Well done! Best explanation I’ve seen so far. Very helpful. Cheers from NZ, Xxx Annie

[@ceresuziel5089]

Where were you when I was trying to learn this from books! Brilliant explanation and Cat! All the love :)

[@erbrferg]

Thank you! Just got a Louet s70-something and the adjustment from an antique flax wheel is significant. This video helped a lot!

[@deblucero4685]

Love your cats. I have a scotch tension wheel, 6 years now, and enjoy it. This past week I have been looking at the Ashford Traveller double drive. Thank you for this video, answered some questions I had.

[@lesleyjones9263]

I’m DD all the way! I’ve been spinning for nearly 5 years, no formal lessons, none available near where I live. So I learnt on borrowed wheels with a little guidance from the owners. I have never mastered Scotch tension but have perfected my DD techniques. I cannot get used to the ‘grabiness’ of ST. Never tried Irish and probably never will 🤪 I’ve been told that DD is the ‘easy way’ to spin and I’m not a real spinner if I can’t do ST but I really don’t care.....I spin for pleasure, I can make the yarns I want (3 ply yarns are my bulky!) so I’m sticking with DD. I’d say 80% of people I know who spin would be ST though. Great videos, very helpful, thanks🙏🧶🇦🇺

[@roykersey2287]

I just, on a whim, bought a handmade castle wheel from the 1960's (double drive) on ebay and I am reading up and watching all the videos I can find to understand how the wheel works and esp. how the various flyers and bobbins go together, because I may have to make some bobbins or whorls to go with this machine, which only has one whorl with one speed. I found your text very concise and understandable with great video of the various parts...very well produced! I personally like how no-nonsense you are with few smiley and goofy bits. Lots of good info and I'll be back. Thanks for your good work!

[@beverleylawton6899]

Another fabulous, clear and informative video. Your videos really are top notch! I have been spinning for the best part of a year on my Ashford Kiwi which was a present from my husband, who knew nothing about wheels and asked someone in the shop! The more I learn about wheels, the more I think he made an excellent choice! I love my wheel and it’s scotch tension but your video gave me a greater understanding of what’s available. Thank you🙏

[@HWPcville]

Thank you so much for this video. I don't spin but I'm fascinated by mechanical things. Specifically, I wanted to know how the yarn was twisted but not always taken up on the spool. I never knew the flyer and the spool could turn independent of each other. Yours is the only video I've found that explained and actually shows how this works. Thanks for posting.

[@elishajlogan]

Awesome thank you this helps me out so much! I will probably opt to buy a scotch tension now that I understand the difference. Thank you thank you!

[@sarahwilliams6488]

Thank you so much for this in-depth and helpful guide. So helpful to have the explanations as to how each system works and how and why to adjust tension. For someone who is new to spinning and so far only spinning on drop spindles, I am just learning about wheels and your videos are the best introduction by far!

[@maeganschaefer8217]

I have been trying to research wheels as I’m saving to buy my first one. Thanks for this information as I spin on drop spindles and know what type of yarn I want to make. Thanks for taking the time to share you knowledge on wheels. I greatly appreciate it!!

[@trailsniffer]

So happy to run into your videos for beginning spinners. I am brand new to spinning and appreciate your informative and clear videos. Thank you!

[@mindyalbright4491]

You are the first person who has mentioned spinolution's style of drive, including the videos I have watched on it. (Maybe I watched the wrong videos.) I have been trying to figure out just what system the spinolution was. I had thought Scotch, but wasn't really certain. I had spun on Irish originally (and never knew I was supposed to have problems with fine) then got a spinolution. Now I have added a great wheel, which doesn't wind on at all, so I don't think it really fits these categories. Very good explanations.

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Thank you Mindy, glad you enjoyed the video. I’ve never had the chance to experience the Spinolution drive system in person (they’re not popular in the UK) but I find any kind of ‘non-standard’ drive systems fascinating so I look forward to trying it at some point. There’s definitely no room in my house for a great wheel although my guild had just had one donated so maybe I’ll be able to film a bit at a meeting but you’re right, it doesn’t fit into any of these categories - that’s a whole separate video! 😉

[@julieedwards6937]

Great information and your cats are the cutest

[@mountainsno]

This was really spot on. Thank you. Clear and easy to understand. I thought I was a huge fan of Ashford traditional which I believe is Scotch tension but I have to admit since getting my double drive (my standard draw seems to suit fine singles) Im using my double drive wheels most of all. Im in Australia. I unfortunately dont spin with a group. I do have a lot of people saying they want to spin and you are one of the clear, precise, informative people I link them up with.

[@groovygrump]

Wonderful video! This was by far the most comprehensive explanation of the different tensions. Because I am a beginner I found this so helpful. Thank you for your excellent video!

[@judirundel9390]

I've really enjoyed the first 2 videos and will keep watching. I've just borrowed a friend's Ashford Traveler which, I believe, has Scotch Tension? I'm still learning how to treadle evenly - so a real beginner!!!

[@nomadicgenes8064]

You're back :-) . I've hit the bell now so I don't miss your next video. Love your videos and so happy you're making them for beginner spinners. I've had a wheel for about a year now but not really had a chance to get stuck in with it. I've been really put off as I can't really find a resource that fully breaks everything down enough for me to get a proper handle on it. I'm a really visual learner and your videos seem to really gel with me, and i'm able to go back over at my own pace.Having slow motion technique videos would be amazing and ones that take nothing for granted, so I can learn the complete process without missing vital bits of information. I had thought of paying for lessons but I know that I would just become flustered and anxious as it takes multiple pauses and reruns on KZbin for me to pick up the necessary skills. I have been able to learn knitting this way with 'very pink knits' slow motion videos. I would happily contribute via patreon if that's an avenue you choose to go down.

[@carolinemurphy5493]

Thx!! I found help with my Matchless!!!

[@adamakaru2683]

Thank you for brining it to me, so simple and understanding. i am getting my first wheel ever (Ashford double drive) for Flax, the more I hear about it the clearer it get thank you.

[@michelletothill8551]

I am really enjoying your videos. I am hoping to get back into spinning after being away from it for 40 years. I have the wheel I learned to spin on as a 7 year old girl. I do not know the proper name of it Mar-mar called it an Indian Head and it is the type that was used by the local Coast Salish First Nation to spin wool to make Cowichan Sweaters. I also have my step Mum's Ashford Joy. I am not sure which model.

[@anneschlehlein]

I have been spinning since 2008 Both of my spinning wheels (Ashford kiwi and joy) are scotches driven. Where I live... Pacific Northwest(USA)there are alot of spinners like double drive and scotch than irish. Great video! Thanks for a refresh course. Easy to understand.

[@lynnstratton2890]

Thank you for your incredibly educational videos! My daughter and I are in Maryland (USA), have never spun before, and within the past year have been fortunate enough to find a couple of reasonably priced wheels at auction. Our first find was a Louet S15, which we now understand to be Irish tension. Once we cleaned her up, she seems to move quite well. Our second wheel is an older Ashford Traveller, with a single treadle, and Scotch tension! We’re looking forward to your videos to get us started spinning!

[@GillardSci]

Thank you. This is a clear demo of the drive systems and their quirks - and I loved watching your cats!!

[@pambutler5437]

Well done! Very concise and understandable. Thank you.

[@SherrisPlace]

I would love it if you would review everything about the Majacraft Aura wheel!!!!!! 🙏🙏🙏

[@kellywest2820]

I started on an antique double drive spinning wheel. Still a beginner, but I bought a matchless and I'm using the double drive because it is what I know. I'm in Oregon, USA.🇺🇸

[@Savvysalli]

Thank you so much! Your excellent, clear, articulate and succinct videos have helped me so much. I have a DD, given to me, and have been learning on it but I have been having such problems with overtwisting. All the online spinning group suggestions, like get the tension right, did not explain what is in this video. I now understand what the problems are, from a bobbin with V groove to the drive band tension. The other video that helped to pull it together for me was the ratios one; the two together have cleared up the mystery! I shall certainly be buying you some coffee (rather than the Aldan Amos book at several hundred £) ! 😊😊😊

[@amyinboulder]

I really found your video helpful and intend to watch it a couple times more. I just acquired a used Schacht Matchless wheel and am embarking on the spinning journey. You are so clear and your videography is excellent. thank you!

[@NadiaLucassen]

Although I already understood the different ways, it was really nice to see it explained so clear all in one video. Thanks!

[@0yodelingpickle526]

oh my god, these modern wheels are so simple! ive only had antique wheels and its always been a bit of a struggle

[@alyssamcaleese6985]

Thankyou, that was very helpful ☺️

[@TinyFibreStudio]

You’re so welcome. 😁

[@taylorbaysinger]

Thank you so much for this clear and concise explanation! I am a drop-spindler looking to buy my first wheel and your beginner series and 51 Yarns Spinalong videos have been so helpful and clarifying. Also your sweater and cat(s) are gorgeous!

[@callielw]

Great information! Wish I'd had this to review when I was studying wheels.

[@aprilhartman3735]

This is so helpful! I was gifted an old Ashford Scholar, and I’m trying to figure out how to spin on it. I’m definitely looking forward to your troubleshooting video, and am interested in plying once I get some basics down. Thank you again for such wonderful content and explanation!

[@chrisr8178]

very helpful! thank you

[@lisar.2651]

Another great video! I also notice that you had "help" while spinning :)

[@robinsmith4682]

So helpful thank you. Very well done video

[@TinyFibreStudio]

You're very welcome! I’m glad it was helpful!

[@gillianrenshaw2415]

I am an Irish tension lover. I use a Louet s10 for every thing. For fine spinning I always lace the yarn around both hooks of the flyer and this lessens the grab

[@roseduke591]

Great information! I have a King Bee (Scotch) that I love (since 2014). I was just gifted an Ashford Kiwi 3 with completely different drive systems ( Single & Double drive).This helps me a lot understanding the difference. Love your cats, too.

[@elzekloen]

I really loved your visual with the tape! The way take-up works can be a bit of a weird thing to wrap your head around, but this made it super clear. I chose an Ashford Kiwi as my first wheel, mostly for price and compactness but also because the Scotch tension seemed like a versatile option. I didn't really know what types of yarn I would prefer to spin, although I gravitated to finer weights simply because that's what I like to knit with. If I ever get a second wheel I'll definitely look into double drive, because from this video that sounds right up my alley.

[@mrswendyflea2499]

Great video. I have a Louet S17 and personally love Irish tension, the take up was a bit of a shock to the system, but with practice you get used to it. Thanks for such a lovely clear view of the three different options.

[@redthistleknit5256]

So well done...as usual. Thank you. I've been spinning for a while, but there are always interesting nuggets in your videos.

[@redthistleknit5256]

Oh, double drive...all the way!

[@sharonnewport7257]

Wonderful video very clear and understandable 👍😊

[@kathycostello4104]

Love this sweater, too, Becks! I got Ultra Alpaca to make it in the grey and yellow and will cast on as soon as I can get Christmas gifts done!

[@akader25]

very interesting video

[@jenruthbailey]

Thanks for this and for previous videos! I'm a year into my spinning life but definitely feel like I'm still learning. I have a Louët Victoria S96 (Scottish tension) and the thing I'm still scratching my head about is the sliding hook (start in the middle? Start at the back/front?!)! The break band info is really useful as I find that the consistency does change towards the end of spinning the fibre so I'm going to try experimenting with turning up the tension a little :-)

[@semihtuncer12]

Thank you very much ..

[@jenniferrich5292]

What an awesome video! The blue tape- genius! My e-spinner has scotch tension, and I confess I really don’t know much how to tell if it’s adjusted properly. I would love to try double drive someday, though. Also, love the cat bombs🥰😺

[@Alithia87]

Thanks for sharing! I have an Ashford Traditional scotch tension and what I found out to be a Befra Willi, irish tension. I need to get a multispeed flyer for the Traditional, as I can't treadle fast enough to put enough twist in for my liking (9:1 single speed flyer) and although the Willi has lovely enormous bobbins for plying, it is really slow (4:1) (too impatient!).

[@sharonwaddell2548]

I’m a relatively new spinner, and I bought a used spinolution pollwog with the accelerator. I haven’t used the accelerator yet, but I find I naturally spin fine yarn, no bigger than dk weight. In the future I would like to spin bulk art yarn also, but I like the spinolution wheel and plan to stick with that brand.

[@abirhussein9781]

I wish I had this information when I started spinning in August. However it's extremely useful to better understand wheel function. I use an Ashford e-spinner purchased in September and my very first wheel is a spinolution pollywog purchased in August. I spin for projects that need worsted/DK yarn. The Ashford has enabled me to creat the yarn I want better then the pollywog. My next wheel will be a Lendrum 🇨🇦 The addiction is real 😁

[@jenniferrich5292]

Abir Hussein I also have an ashford e-spinner and it’s my only wheel. Can I ask, why do you want a treadle wheel? I kind of want one when I see people on you tube spinning with them, but do you think there is a real advantage? Just curious😊

[@abirhussein9781]

@@jenniferrich5292 Well... when I thought of taking up spinning I wanted to start in the traditional style. Another deciding factor was price. The manual wheel I purchased was the lest experience. Another advantage is freedom of movement. No need to use electricity and finely a bit of exercise. A month into using my wheel I wasn't making the yarn I wanted. The type of wheel I have is operated by toes not the whole foot and that is very uncomfortable. Besides the upgrades to that wheel would cost as much as a new wheel. With the Ashford I've created yarn for my first hand spun sweater. Now my friends have bought me a Lendrum. A Canadian manual wheel and I'm very excited to use it when I'm back in Toronto. Sorry for the ramble 😊

[@jenniferrich5292]

Abir Hussein thanks! Best of luck with your new wheel!

[@abirhussein9781]

@@jenniferrich5292 Thanks. My advice is to try a manual wheel. If you get the chance and sure you will enjoy it. Happy spinning.

[@2ladyhomesteadershodge898]

The huge majority of my guild use Scotch Tension. I mainly use my Kromski Minstrel in Scotch Tension because that's how I was taught at the guild. My goal for 2021 is to master Double Drive on the Minstrel and use the Ashford Kiwi (his name is Pete) with Scotch Tension. I have my own sheep (Border Leicester's) so all my yarn is created on my homestead. Vivian Ann on the side of the mountain in northeast Tennessee

[@cheryl9044]

Fine yarns can easily be made on Louet wheels by lacing the flyer which decreases the pull until you get some yarn singles onto the bobbin.

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Absolutely. I’ve got some other tips for fine spinning on Irish tension wheels coming in another video. :)

[@jessicavenable5638]

I use double drive on my kromksi minstrel. Mostly because it was the way that the video said to set it up and I haven't tried it in scotch tension. I think most of my friends do scotch tension. I didn't have the opportunity to try out a lot of wheels, so I was on my own and I just got used to the difficulty. Which, when you're just learning to spin on a wheel, there are so many difficulties that in the end I doubt it made much of a difference! Fun story, I use a poly band for my double drive, which I've heard that some people think is impossible. It very much isn't, and I like it a lot for the way I spin. Mostly I spin short forward draw, as I do a lot of fine laceweight and fingering yarns for socks, which is what I like. Thanks for this series of videos! It is fascinating to learn how wheels *actually* work, and I appreciate the details and well-researched facts you present.

[@gretchenpatrick5585]

My wheels are scotch tension, and one of them is particularly "grabby". This video gives me some ideas for adjustments. Also, your sweater is lovely! Is there a pattern? Thanks for being so generous with your time and expertise.

[@lindachacewater5452]

Great video, thanks for sharing. I am a beginner spinner and I have an Ashford e-Spinner 3. I think that’s Scotch tension? I find it extremely difficult to get the tension right. I like to spin fine yarn but am not fast at drafting. What sort of tension should I be aiming for?

[@shogonekocosplay1416]

Not sure if you can help me out but the wheel I just bought, from the looks of it, has two cotton drive bands set up in double drive. It is an antique wheel so not sure if there was an oops somewhere.

[@Tina-gi1ot]

Hi, I just got my 1st spinning wheel. It’s a Good and Basic spinning wheel kit. It has Irish tension. Have you seen one of them? I’m still trying to learn how to treadle with it evenly. Do you have any tips?

[@janetsheehey3205]

I'm a newbie and would like to know if you have a double drive band and you want to use the scotch tension what do you do with the double band? do you put them in the same slot on the whorl?

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Hi Janet, thanks for your question. On wheels that are capable of using both double drive and scotch tension, in most cases you can do exactly as you suggest - treat the two loops of the double drive band as one and put it on the flyer whorl. Some wheels might be a bit picky about the thickness of the drive band but on most wheels it’ll be fine. Alternatively you can see if there’s somewhere on your wheel where you can secure the double drive band out of the way and make a single loop drive band for scotch tension. Hope that helps! 😊

[@bella-bee]

im not a very experienced spinner because i keep drifting off to other crafts! But I do love it and I have a wheel. You talk about adjusting tension as the bobbin fills. I think this is to increase it gradually, is that correct? because the diameter of the yarn building up on the bobbin is increasing, but Im sorry I don't really understand why that requires a tighter tension!

[@TinyFibreStudio]

Hi Bella, yes, that’s correct, you’d gradually increase the tension as the bobbin fills. You may only need to increase it a couple of times and often just very small adjustments each time. Essentially it’s to keep the ratio between the flyer and bobbin the same as the effective diameter of the bobbin increases. I’m not the most qualified to give an in-depth explanation of the physics behind it (so many factors to take into account and I’m pretty sure my physics teacher is still waiting for my homework from 1994!) but Maurice from Dreaming Robots (maker of the Electric Eel wheels) has a video explaining it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjdmGBmpdiZadU Hope that helps!

[@kashifhussain1885]

Great information about making thread.thank you Mam. I want to make thread from Camel hair.what is the beginning process? I beg your pardon for language mistakes.

[@jelkehuisman]

Does anybody have a recommendation for a setup for spinning flax fibers?

[@Stevedawhoop]

Which part of spindle is sharp that you can prick your finger on?

[@TinyFibreStudio]

In the original version of Sleeping Beauty she fell asleep because of a splinter of flax, not from pricking her finger on a spinning wheel. In later versions she pricks her finger on the ‘spindle’ which is found on Great Wheels/Walking Wheels and is sometimes available as an accessory called a quill on other modern wheels. The point of a spindle isn’t so sharp that you could prick your finger on it unless it was from a splinter of metal. We keep a protector over the end to prevent people getting injured by walking into it or falling against it but Sleeping Beauty must’ve been unbelievably accident-prone! Because a lot of people wouldn’t instantly recognise a great wheel as a spinning wheel, many re-tellings of the story show a treadle wheel with a very pointy distaff (used for holding flax or other fibre) and she pricks her finger on that. Distaffs aren’t sharp either.

[@Stevedawhoop]

@@TinyFibreStudio so you're saying sleeping beauty was so fragile she could've cut herself with a spoon? XD. maybe if the witch didn't curse her and let her roam free she would've died by herself

[@user-wo9dr4qi6o]

אפשר לקנות מכשיר טוויה אם כן אפשר לקבל את הכתובת