Skill Guide: Spinning and Weaving Flax Roving

• What is Flax Roving?
• Spinning Flax Roving
  • Do I Need to Spin Flax Wet?
  • Do I Need a Distaff?
  • Do I Need a Special Wheel?
• Tips for Weaving Linen
• Customize Your Bread Bag Three Ways
• Resources

In Spin Off’s Winter 2025/2026 issue featuring natural fibers, weaver and spinner Tom Knisely writes about antique grain bags, and shares a pattern for making your own miniature grain bag, useful for storing bread. Here are some spinning and weaving tips to help you get ready to spin and weave your own bread bag.

—Spin Off editors

What is Flax Roving?

Flax roving is a commercially processed and readily available form of flax. Unlike the long line fibers associated with flax stricks and fine linens, flax roving is shorter—around 6–8 inches—and comes in a one-inch thick coil of roving from several manufacturers. It’s perfect for your more workaday items, like grain sacks or bread bags. Take a look at the images below to compare flax stricks (long line fibers) and flax roving (shorter fibers).

Long line flax fibers can be up to 42" long, and are often twisted into stricks, as seen here. Flax roving has been cut into shorter lengths so it can be mechanically processed. The fiber shown here had a fiber length of 6–8".

Spinning Flax Roving

Like with any new fiber, when you start spinning flax roving, it’s best to take some time to sample. Take a look at the staple length, as this will impact how long you need to make each draft. Feel how it reacts to your default spinning style, adjust your wheel, and read on for a few more tips!