throwing (pulling up)

Keep it slow and controlled. Always use sufficient water/slip, a dry spot will cause problems. When reaching the top always compact the rim. If you are leaving lots at the bottom, before lifting with your knuckle dig your finger in against the batt/wheel head so that you can get your knuckle in right at the bottom. Good luck

A couple of other hints that might help--

If you want your cylinder to flare out at the top slightly, keep your inside fingers slightly higher than your outside fingers.

If you want your cylinder to flare in at the top slightly, keep your outside fingers slightly higher than your inside fingers.

As someone else mentioned, regularly compress the top rim--maybe after every pull upwards.

Use your rib to take off the slip from the surfaces of the clay after a couple of pulls. This will also compress your walls.

Try to sit as close to your wheel as possible, so that you are vertically over your piece. This reduces the tendency to pull outwards towards your body.

If you're trying to go tall, go about halfway, and let the piece sit for awhile to slightly firm up before pulling it higher. This will reduce the chance that it will flop down. I don't mean leather hard or anything like that--just for a little while so that it's not really wet and soft.

For your last couple of pulls, try pulling dry. Rib off all the water from the surfaces of the clay, and dry off your hands on a towel. There can't be water either on your hands or on any part of the clay surfaces or you'll "catch" when pulling, but it works well if you've gotten the water off. Takes some practice. I was surprised that it worked for me--I didn't quite believe it would until I tried.

Deb R.

another newbie here. learned something in class last night...

stick your nose dead center over the cylinder. i was looking at the side of my hands when pulling up, and found myself tilting my head sideways to the right. this caused everything to lean over, and eventually fail.

Thanks so much everyone. I'll let you know how your tips work for me.

Mandy

One thing which nobody mentioned: make sure you keep on breathing properly. I found out years ago, when i had difficulties throwing a large piece, that i tended to hold my breath while pulling it up. Once i had noticed that and made myself breath steadily, it became much easier.

Monika

-- Monika Schleidt snipped-for-privacy@schleidt.org

You are so right, for me it was holding my breath when centring large pieces :o) I had so much more strength when I breathed.