A drop spindle is used to spin fiber into yarn. The drop spindle has been used for thousands
of years. In contrast, the spinning
wheel has only been around for a few hundred years. Drop spindles are much less expensive than
spinning wheels. They are small and very
portable. They are also very easy to
make. (See my post of two days ago to
find out how.) It’s very easy to take to
crowded rabbit shows.
Yarn made from a drop spindle can be just as nice as yarn
from a spinning wheel. It just takes
practice. Some people can make yarn just as fast with a
drop spindle as with a spinning wheel.
I’m still working on that.
Now let’s begin using the drop spindle.
First, you’ll need to start with about 18” of scrap yarn,
also known as a leader. Knot one end
around the shaft of your drop spindle and fray the other end. Wind the yarn around the shaft of your
spindle and thread the end through the hook, leaving about a six inch
tail. If you are right handed, use your
left hand middle finger and thumb to hold the fiber and frayed end of yarn
together. With your right hand, twist
the spindle clockwise. If you get it
going fast enough, you can let go of the spindle while you draft the wool. Your fiber will twist automatically into a
single ply of yarn. Every minute or so,
you will need to pause (or “park”) and wind your new yarn around the shaft of
the spindle.
Below are some links for some good Youtubes on beginner
spinning on a drop spindle.
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