Sounds like your tow is a bit damp Spam, whack it in the microwave if you want to dry it quick otherwise careful positioning near the fire will do the trick.
If you can get it, pure linen fibre works a bit better than hemp but it's not sold in B+Q
That method comes from demonstrating the technique, if I do it the other way everything goes on in the hand where you can't see it, my way I can show sixty kids what's happening.