[SmallTimeSmallholder]

Hi,
I have been spinning for a few months now (love it sooooooo much!) I've heard about the longdraw method and wondered;
Do you need to use a 'special' type of wool & what are the benefits of longdraw to 'normal' spinning?
   Everyone too, by the way 

[Lesley Silvester]

I thought long draws where what you wore in winter.   

[jaykay]

Long draw is great fun to do.

You need very a easily drafted wool prep. Usually you get told you need carded batts but in fact, an expert who taught me said that tops are as good and most of the longdraw I've done, I've done from tops.

Take your tops - something like merino, a relatively short staple. Break a section off. Shake hard holding tight to one end, repeat from the other end - this loosens it up.

You have to get your wheel just right, so you can pull back against it but there's take-up too. I can longdraw on my double drive saxony much better than my scotch-tension castle wheel for some reason.

Watch one of the videos on YouTube - and then play.

It creates woollen-spun yarn which is fluffy and warm, but not especially strong.

Sadly, though I love doing longdraw, I prefer worsted-spun yarn 

[SallyintNorth]

I haven't tried it from tops but it works beautifully from a well-carded rolag.  As jaykay says, the key is easy-drafting fluff and having the wheel tension just right. 

There are links to two good vids here

[SmallTimeSmallholder]

Thanks girls 
I shall have a look and a play and let you know how I get on.
I've got quite a lot of Southdown fleece, I might try with some of that.