How to Use a Drop Spindle
by Elham Atighi Lorestani
Drop Spindle
Drop spindle spinning is a great way to make yarn. A drop spindle is a great introduction to the world of spinning and is often a first step to a spinning wheel. Spindles have been used to turn wool into thread for thousands of years. It’s a fairly simple technique that is easy to master but it does require a bit of practice.
There are two versions of drop spindle; a bottom whorl drop spindle and top whorl drop spindle. Both drop spindles come with leader strings and are used the same way. The top whorl is easier for the park and draft as you keep the shaft of the spindle between your knees.
What You Can Spin
A drop spindle is used for spinning or twisting fibres like sheep wool, ftax, hemp, horsehair, cotton etc. into yarn. Spinning begins with preparing the fibre and usually wool is the best choice for beginners. A fibre that is not too grippy or too silky is ideal.
Supplies
- Top whorl drop spindle
- Sheep wool
- Patience
- Time
- Gratitude
Carding
- Place the locks of wool on one card
- Brush lightly with the second one. Your will pass the fibre from card to card a few times. This type of preparation is appropriate for making roving.
Drafting & Preparing
Prepare the fibre by pre-drafting a small amount
- Pull the fibre gently to loosen and separate
- Take the leader string and bring it up and wrap it about three times around the hook
3. Do clockwise twist
4. Place the shaft between your knees. Take your pre-drafted fibre and put it through the end of the leader string and hold both end together.
Park & Draft
- Hold the spindle shaft with your left hand and put a lot of clockwise spine into the leader string. At this point you see it is telephone cording up.Now put the shaft between your knees so that it is steady. Start drafting back the fibre with your right hand and guide the twist with your left hand towards the yarn.
Winding On
- When you used all the twist and the fibre does not telephone cord, take the spindle out from between your knees and unwind the fibre from the hook by spinning it. Spine the fibre on the shaft in clockwise direction.
Repeat
- Leave enough leader string and put more clockwise into the spindle. TIP: When spine the spindle, make shore to grab the shaft and don’t let it unwind.
- Repeat park and draft process and winding on
Add Fibre
If you drafted the fibre too much during the process and you broke the fibre or your fibre finished, you can twist a new fibre to it easily. Just overlap the end of the fibre with the new fibre and pinch them in the middle. You then need to put a bit of twist into it, continue your spinning.
- Leave enough leader string and put more clockwise into the spindle.
TIP: When spine the spindle, make shore to grab the shaft and don’t let it unwind. - Repeat park and draft process and winding on.