Apparatus and a method for producing a yarn, the apparatus and method comprising a reciprocating twisting stage, the reciprocating twisting stage comprising one or more twist rollers that rotate along an axis of rotation and that are arranged to move reciprocally along the axis of rotation to impart twist to one or more slivers to form twisted strands; and a drive system for one or more take up holders, the drive system arranged to have wound onto the one or more take up holders the yarn after two or more strands are twisted together to form the yarn. The drive system is arranged to drive the one or more take up holders such that the linear speed at which the yarn is wound onto the one or more take up holders can be controlled relative to the linear speed at which the strands exit the one or more twist rollers.