Spinning on a single-treadle wheel

[binkin]

OK, help! I used to spin, but never particularly well, I guess, on an Ashford Traditional. I ended up having to sell that wheel years ago because of monetary concerns. Last year I got a Kromski Mazurka which is beautiful but I can't seem to spin on the thing to save my life.

I probably need someone to show me in person what to do, but... I feel like I am hitting my head off a wall and I was hoping someone could help. I am having a real problem with the dead spot when the footman(?) is at its highest position. The wheel just keeps reversing. I am not entirely sure I have the tensioning right as far as getting the yarn to be "sucked in", either, but if I can't get it to make more than two revolutions without having to kickstart it, I don't really care!

Can anyone give me some advice? Should I take one of the balls of cheap acrylic yarn someone gave me and just spin it onto a bobbin for "practice"? I feel like I really don't want to waste the roving I bought.

[flapjack]

First, take the bobbin off and practice spinning fast and slow in both directions. On my ashford, the problem is normally that my flyer's slightly out of alignment and something is catching slightly on its way round.
Keep trying, you'll get it

[eepster]

You probably just have to find your rythim. Just sit at her and treadle without trying to make yarn. When you are just using one treadle you need to feel when she is ready for a push. You're probably pushinf too soon.

BTW: are you wearing shoes/slippers or just socks? Shoes/slippers reduce your feel for the treadle.