? for drop spindle users

[Buddhamom]

The alpaca roving I am using is very wide/thick and I am just learning to spin on a drop spindle (used wheel before).  Am I suppose to peel it downward into thinner strips first?

Namaste,

Buddhamom

Edited by Buddhamom - 5/24/12 at 10:41am

[SweetSilver]

I am not accomplished on a drop spindle (used it several times), but anytime I feel less than competent I prepare the roving--breaking it into lengths, the "peeling" it, and finally flick-carding it.  Makes a world of difference, even for my spinning on a wheel.  

I still consider myself a beginner, and I still find working with roving a bit tricky, especially the packed-together stuff straight from the store (the twist keeps getting behind my working fiber--especially with slippery fiber that is not easy to draw out into long lengths before allowing the twist into it).  I much prefer working with Romney wool carded into bats.  I feel like a pro when I do that!

I'm assuming you've spun alpaca on the wheel before.

Hopefully someone who has mastered the drop spindle can help more. 

[Angelorum]

Yeah, peeling it into skinnier strips makes it easier.  I have spun straight from the full roving braid before, but that was because I wanted to make self striping yarn.  It was definitely trickier to do, but possible.