Pottery Basics: Knuckle Pulling Cylinders

I demonstrate the Knuckle Pulling pottery technique in this instructional pottery video. This technique is a very efficient means of pulling cylinders. It can help you to pull taller, thinner cylinders more quickly and using less water. I will demonstrate the correct hand positions, body positions and hand movements as well as why this method is so effective.
Hi there! I’m Adam and I teach pottery at www.patreon.com/spectorstudiosporcelain. You can also find me @spectorstudiosporcelain on IG. For more free instructional pottery content SUBSCRIBE! For many complete series on making many different pottery forms from start to finish, join my Patreon!

[@robbiepannell]

This is one of the best tutorial videos I've seen! I've been throwing since February with pretty decent results, but your video helped me realize a few potential flaws in my technique. I had been pushing inward with my knuckle to create the bulge and I think that's why the bottom of my cylinders were never quite right. Excited for studio time this morning! Thanks so much for the terrific lesson.

[@von-19]

Wow! Thanks for the great tip! I'm a beginner at ceramics and had been wondering what's the good method to practice. You explained it so clearly! I'm so excited to try out your technic tonight! 🩷🩷

[@asianx7]

You would not believe the number of people on KZbin talking about "squeezing" then pulling straight up. But when you look at their technique it is obviously "offset" and stretching like he is explaining here! The confusion is that most people don't even know what they are doing; clearly their fingers are offsets (inside is higher than outside) but they think the fingers are aligned and they are squeezing! They will even cut the pot in half and tell you they are squeezing... An amazing explanation in this video.

[@JimagesPhoto]

Your clarity as a teacher is outstanding ! Subscribed immediately after learning from your helpful, clear, repeated Visuals. Thanks for teaching Adam :)

[@bambamssam]

This is by far the best pulling tutorial!!

[@marchingtonhome]

Agreed, best explanation I’ve seen so far.

[@kahfiiking4975]

I was just thinking the same and I’m currently in a physical class. I can’t wait to practice this technique!

[@robertpitcher6119]

This is the most clearly explained reasoning regarding pulling pottery walls. I honestly didn't realise how much you push on the outside of the pot and how you use the knuckle to simply support the bulge as you raise both hands. I'm going to keep watching your demo and try this out tomorrow (hopefully no more thin area's on the wall and collapsing and torqued pots :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@cathybriggs8725]

This is absolutely enlightening and I cannot wait to try this! Thank you so much for taking the the time to make and share this video! I feel this will be instrumental in the advancement of my throwing skills. I am learning to throw pottery by watching and applying advice given through instructional tutorials. Your is one of the Best I have come acrossed!

[@PamelaRoss-qh6jh]

Have been playing with clay forever--- discovered many of these things by accident. Nice to see it explained so all mudders can speed up the learning process. Touché, Adam!

[@thomaskinsman8662]

Nice explanation!!

[@littleIkkyu]

Wow, watched tons of videos. Finally a tutorial video that explains and teach the pulling technique!

[@ellenbettencourt9272]

Hi Adam! Thank you for video on knuckle pulling cylinders. I have watched your video multiple times looking for a tip you made on one I saw. I’m looking for the comment you posted about a “mistake you made for about 8 years” when you pull up and a lot of clay rips off instead of moving up and making the cylinder taller. I think the fix was to make a round bulge vs. a bulge with a sharp ridge. I can’t seem to find that comment again and wanted to make sure this was the correct fix. Could you please direct me to the video where you addressed this problem please? I can’t seem to find it again. Thank you very much! Super helpful videos. Very clear and the things you make (e.g., vases) seem so easy for you. So professional. Thank you very much! Ellen

[@emmadunston7329]

briliant video. by far the most clear explanation! :)

[@roxannespear1072]

Brilliant and exactly what I needed. Thank you. I have been bumbling along by squeezing and pulling. This really helped!

[@marchingtonhome]

Thanks so much for this tutorial. I love how in-depth you’ve explained it, makes so much more sense to me now.

[@vive_made]

This is amazing! Wish I saw this a year ago. I was taught to squeeze and it has made my throwing extremely difficult.

[@David-uv7hz]

What an absolutely fantastic video. Such detail and such clarity! Brilliantly done!

[@donnamiller3013]

Thank you I have been struggling with the sponge technique

[@patriciafurr4771]

Great explaination. Cant wait to try this!

[@tracyhanusiak5479]

Hi Adam (or other viewers). I am pleased to see that I have been doing this the same way. Does anyone have tips on how I can keep my arm and hand going straight up as my cylinder gets taller? Because of the height, my inside hand always comes toward me. Thank you

[@carolwang3129]

Really interesting explanation of the lateral bulge stretching the clay... I will try the knuckle pull next time! Very clear explanations - thank you! And so impressive that you can work so clean - no splash pan!

[@tomtsou11]

Very helpful for this tutorial. Many thanks.

[@skegbyguy]

That makes so much sense, thank you.

[@cathybriggs8725]

Thank you, this advice is much appreciated!

[@lindsaylouwirtanen6445]

You made it finally make sense. Thank you!!!!

[@michaelmartin6040]

Excellent!

[@namenaim1560]

Excellent explanation and demo thankyou

[@gyanchiluvery1387]

Hello! here from instagram..good tips and Such a great video! Watched all of them...thanks!!.

[@AdamSpector]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed them😊

[@heididerksen8227]

That was amazing thank you

[@tammyhernandez1734]

I am so struggling with pulling walls!! So frustrating

[@chingwu5875]

Thank you . I wish you don’t keep wipe away the slip right away on your left hand .It will be helpful to see where you actually use the area of the knuckle.