Pulling is raising the walls of a pot on the wheel by squeezing the clay between your fingers inside and out and drawing it upwards, so the wall gets thinner and taller with each pass. Pulling handles from a lump of clay uses a similar motion.
What Is Pulling?
After centring and opening, a potter makes a series of pulls, usually three or four, starting at the base and moving up in one steady motion as the wheel turns at a moderate speed. The inside hand pushes out slightly while the outside hand presses in, and the clay rises between them.
Even, steady pulls make walls that are the same thickness from bottom to top, which helps a pot dry, fire and feel balanced. Rushing, pulling too fast, using too much water or letting the wall get thin at the base are the usual reasons pots twist or collapse.
Handles are often pulled too. A lump of clay is held in one hand and stroked downwards with a wet hand until it forms a smooth, tapering strap, which is then attached to the mug at leather hard.
Pulling is where throwing takes the most practice. Teachers often have students cut pots in half with a wire to see how even their walls are, which is one of the quickest ways to improve.
This pottery glossary entry from Le Studio Art Space is general educational content. Always follow the clay, glaze and kiln makers’ data for your own materials and equipment.