Spinning is started on a friction spinning apparatus by drawing the end of yarn back to a position adjacent the surface but in such a condition that it is free from the influence of the suction through the surface. This is done by closing off the suction while the end is in the position so that the yarn is drawn by an additional suction source into an adjacent position. The yarn end is drawn from one end of the surface to lie along the surface by gradually closing off the suction from that end toward the opposite end. Subsequently the suction is reopened to bring the yarn end under its influence to draw the end onto the surface so the fibre feed and take-up can be restarted.