Comments on: What’s the deal with those heavy spindles marketed for beginners?

By: Lisa

Lisa — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:35:58 +0000

I started on a boat-anchor bottom whorl spindle in 1972. And even though I was 13 rather than 8, my spindle got subjected to similar rough treatment, especially when I was about 21 and doing the whole RenFaire/SCA thing. I called it my “battle spindle”. It was tough and did an admirable job.

I still like spinning, but prefer to spin on a wheel when relaxing on the couch and watching TV. That way I can put whichever leg I’ve injured most and most recently up, and treadle with the remaining “good” leg. I still enjoy spindling, too, especially finer yarns which would require the purchase of a lace flyer for one of my wheels. And oh, I love collecting spindles.

By: Kurt Pippin

Kurt Pippin — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:07:12 +0000

Nice to see some balance in favour of low whorls and heavier spindles. My first spinning (recently) was on a Jenkins Turkish spindle, and I have tried high whorls also. I’m acquiring more Kevin Rhodes spindles that work either way, and thanks to your book, I also hope to acquire some mid-low whorls with extra shaft below the whorl. In fact, I think the only thing your book is missing is how to avoid or counter spindle acquisition addiction. But I’m not quite through the whole book yet, so maybe that’s in there also.

By: NancePance

NancePance — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:35:23 +0000

Very helpful info. I have the inner part of a wheel I thought would make a good spindle, but it’s heavy. Now I understand better the diff. between top and bottom spindles. Will try it as a bottom.

I love your style of teaching and approach. You give us permission to be beginners. Simple, maybe, but not every teacher has that knack.

Thanks.

By: KnittyAJ

KnittyAJ — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 11:28:22 +0000

I am glad I found a reference to you from ItsJustMeghan podcast show notes. I listen to her podcast. I just purchased a spindle yesterday, high whorl. I want to thank you for your precise explaination and demonstration of the spindle as well as the fiber. Meghan suggested for me to try this method before by a spinning wheel. Thanks!!!!!!

By: helen

helen — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:35:46 +0000

I still have my first home-made (HEAVY) low whorl drop spindle. And the extra cutouts I made if I was going to teach someone else and needed more of them. It wasn’t until about 10 years ago that I tried/bought my first high whorl. They each have their place. I like the amount of spin I can put on a high whorl by push or pulling it down my leg. The snap works best for me with the low whorl, but is getting harder on the hand. And I was another learn from the “Joy of Spinning” beginner.

By: Loretta

Loretta — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:18:29 +0000

I still have my Schact and Spindle boat anchor spindle I learned to spin on (back in the day). I spun ANGORA on that thing.
Top whorl spindles really make me happy lately.

By: Rachel H

Rachel H — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:09:54 +0000

And also? Great photo. And I have that Allen Fanin book.

By: Janice in GA

Janice in GA — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:44:22 +0000

Heh. I decided I wanted to learn to spin back in the late 70′s. I had a copy of “The Joy of Handspinning”, and attempted to make a spindle out of a wooden coaster and a dowel. Since I really didn’t understand what I was doing (I’d never seen handspinning at that point, I don’t think), I had a notable lack of success.

A few years later I met some REAL spinners and saw and LEARNED what to do. Our guild does demos at the local RennFest. I used to spin on a spindle there, and yes, it was a heavy, low-whorl spindle to start with. When the high whorl Louet spindles (the one with the sheep heads on the whorl) came out, I switched to that, and spun lots of yarn on one.

I confess I still prefer a slightly heavier spindle than most of the newer spinners use. But that’s what I’m used to, and it suits the yarn I spin.

By: denny

denny — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:08:53 +0000

will you be my room mate???

I promise to make (good coffee), well I’ll try.

I may, may even try to spindle spin.

Maybe.

By: Elemmaciltur

Elemmaciltur — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:28:33 +0000

Well said and very educational!

My very first spindle was a 4.3 oz heavy bottom whorl and I managed to spin and ply on the same spindle to get a 2-ply lace-weight. Granted though, there were many breaks while spinning…and even more while plying, but I would account those mishaps to the fact that I was really new to spinning back then.