Abstract: An open-end spinning machine is disclosed having a piecing ability employing both a yarn reserve-forming member as well as reverse rotation of the yarn withdrawal rollers and of the package drive roll to pay out yarn from the package during formation of the yarn reserve, during the start-up cycle. This permits rapid dispensing of the yarn reserve on piecing, while allowing the reserve to be formed at a controlled rate before start-up and thereby minimizing the load on any auxiliary power source taking over in the event of shut-down of a multi-station spinning machine on power failure.