Spindle whorls have been used since ancient times to hand spin yarn. Here's how to make easy DIY spindle whorls out of polymer clay.
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In the graves of ancient women we find spindles for handspinning. The spindle was her tool, her power, and she needed it in the afterlife.
When you unite the spindle stick and removable whorl, you'll have to ponder where the whorl will fit best. Many spindle sticks have their tapered ends at the bottom. This is where the whorl will slide on. I suggest using a tiny hair rubber band to fix below the whorl to 'encourage' the whorl to stay in place. Whorls with tapered holes should be firmly jammed onto the bottom taper, but can still loosen in spinning mode. When they loosen they act rather like a curved ball, spinning out in a wide circle before they hit the floor, glass, dirt, rug, etc. This makes them hard to locate and explains why many ancient whorls are found in widespread locations. Once the whorl and just-in-case rubber band are in place, the singles 'leader' yarn can be put on. See the pixs below for 3 different setups for the leader attachment Method A & B: Bottom-weighted Spindle, aka drop spindle). Method A. How to Hitch a Singles Leader to a Bottom-Weighted Suspended Spindle (Method A.) Method B. This method is useful for heavy buildup of yarn in cop form. As the spindle gets heavier, you can remove the whorl entirely and wrap the leader below the cop itself. It is best not to half-hitch at the bottom of the whorl to save time. The simple wrap is easier to release each time and can add stability to the yarn wrapping and whorl securing. Method C. Upending a Suspended Spindle to spin in Top-Weighted Mode On many suspended spindles, it is possible to turn the spindle upside down and use TWO Half- Hitches to secure the leader and whorl. This only works is enough space is left at the former top of the spindle to flick or thigh-roll the spindle to make twist. Sometimes the space below the whorl in bottom-weighted position is too sharply tapered to make this upside transformation work. Spindles with removable whorls found here
Ivory (hippopotamus) spindle-whorl with one low conical and one flat face; centrally drilled hole; carved decoration on the conical face of concentric circles on outer edge with joining arcs forming rosettes on the interior; chip from one side of maximum diameter.
Spindle whorls have been used since ancient times to hand spin yarn. Here's how to make easy DIY spindle whorls out of polymer clay.
Precision Spinning in Your Hands Envision a serene evening, your fingers dancing with fibers, the soft hum of the spindle crafting tales strand by strand. The Revolution Fibers Top Whorl Drop Spindle is your canvas, every twist and turn a brushstroke, creating something uniquely yours. Whether a beginner or an adept sp
Bottom whorl drop spindles, as their name suggests, differ from the high or top whorl spindles by the fact that the whorl is situated in the lower part of the shaft, giving it a low centre of gravi…
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I recently purchased a top-whorl spindle and a bottom-whorl spindle from this shop on Etsy. They came in the mail very quickly, and over th...
Learn about three common spindle styles.
Top Whorl Spindle Lacquered. Spin a wide range of fibers from superfine on the lightest size to lustrous fleece on the heaviest size. Features Portable Affordable Solid silver beech hardwood Wide range to choose from
Art yarn drop spindle with my handmade wood burned spiral design. This is a bottom whorl drop spindle made especially for spinning and plying chunky yarns. Easy to use, great for a beginner. Already spin on a wheel? Take your spinning on the go with one of my portable drop spindles. I made this spindle by hand using quality hardwoods. I make a wood burned spiral design on the top of the whorl, sand each inch of the wood, assemble with strong glue and a metal hook. More sanding and then I finish it with a food grade oil rub, followed by a natural beeswax buff. The overall length including the hook is about 12-13 inches. The length of the shaft above the whorl is about 8 and 5/8 inches, plenty of room for winding on lots of big yarn. The lower end measures 1 and 3/4 inches and has a blunt point that can be useful if you plan to spin it semi-supported. The width of the whorl is 3 inches. Weight: 2.4 ounces I like to spin everything from worsted weight to jumbo art yarns on this spindle. This is my personal favorite spindle for plying. All spindles have been tested by myself.
Learn about three common spindle styles.
Spindle whorls are artifacts found worldwide, and they represent a technological leap forward in the process of making textiles.
Viking clothing and jewellery was made up of relatively simple, often home made garb, adorned with stylish jewellery from around the world.
This beautiful hand turned drop spindle is well balanced and has a whorl made from paduc with a maple shaft. This is a top whorl spindle. All of my spindles are handmade and unique. This quality drop spindle would make a unique gift for someone special on your list, or keep it for yourself to enjoy. Shaft - 11" - maple Whorl - 3" - paduc Weight- 1.23oz Thank you for stopping by. if you don't see exactly what you like, drop me a line. I love doing custom challenges
Want to try spinning? Drop spindles are a great way to start!
Rare blankets on view in Fabric of the Land exhibit at UBC's Museum of Anthropology
Top Whorl Drop Spindle 10" long, 2.5" whorl Weighs 1.8 ounces Crafted from maple and beech wood
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Murray, who supplies me with beautifully made spindles, has hand-turned these lovely spinning tools. They will be a joy to use, and should last a lifetime. Russian-style spindles, with cups £12.50 each plus postage mahogany nostepinne (for winding centre-pull balls of yarn) £8.00 each plus postage niddy noddies ( ends dismantle for postage and storage) large (2 metre skein approx.) unpolished £28.00 polished £34.00 plus postage large, dark cherrywood, (fixed ends so UK post only) £28.00 medium unpolished (one only) £20 small (fixed ends so UK post only) £16 E-mail me for details and postage cost if you would like to order one Murray will also consider commissions if there is something different you would like him to make for you.
Here it is! I'd like to formally introduce The Wind Rose Spindle Noddy! I'm so excited! The Wind Rose Spindle Noddy is a drop spindle and a niddy noddy all in one! Use the Spindle Noddy to spin beautiful skeins of yarn and wrap them right onto the 24" Niddy Noddy. Singles can be placed on a swift and wound into center pull balls for easy plying. Or you can make single ply yarn that is conveniently wrapped onto the niddy noddy as you spin. Slide off your completed hank and it's ready to be washed and the twist set. You may also enjoy having the 2 foot niddy noddy for making sample skeins or short skeins for smaller projects. The Wind Rose Spindle Noddy weighs 1oz with an 8.5" spindle length. The arms of the niddy noddy are 6" long allowing three inches on each side of the spindle. This is enough room to spin nice big skeins of yarn. The Spindle Noddy is made from unfinished birch and comes with spinning instructions, a leader cord and a .5oz sample of roving. It's shipped in a sturdy box for safe travels.
As I discussed here, many living historians learn how to spin from modern resources produced for modern crafters. These resources are vast, fantastic and what you find most readily when searching. …
