Spin with a Drop Spindle

Would you like to make your own yarn to knit or crochet? Make your gloves, socks, awesome knitted sweater cheaply with cool fibers? Then, this is the article for you. This article (and the video below) deals with using a hand spindle (drop spindle).

Steps

  1. Make a leader. Tie a two and a half foot long piece of yarn right above the edge of the whorl, the disc at the bottom of the spindle.
  2. Tie a knot at the top of the spindle where an indentation is.
  3. Twirl the hand spindle (drop spindle) in a clockwise direction.
  4. Holding the end of the leader with one hand, hold the edge of the unspun fibers to the end of the leader without letting go. The fiber should start looking like yarn.
  5. Wind the yarn you just spun onto the hand spindle (drop spindle) shaft and continue.
  6. Once you have a large amount of yarn, wind it off to another stick and repeat the whole process again.
  7. Take the second length of yarn off and put the two ends together.
  8. Tie them both to the leader and begin to spin the spindle ANTI-clockwise (or the other direction to what you spun it before)this is called plying and will make your yarn twice as strong and counter-twist the already twisted two half yarns.



Tips

  • Wash your handmade yarn before use.
  • Make sure the direction of the spinning hand spindle (drop spindle) always stays the same.
  • There are different types of hand spindles—bottom whorl and top whorl as well as Navajo spindles.
  • Try a medium-staple wool like Jacob wool. It's cheaper and easier to spin.
  • Experiment with different amounts of twist to find what you are most comfortable with. Finer yarns require more twist than thicker yarns
  • Merino wool is a good starting fiber because of its crimp. Some may find pure merino prohibitively expensive; if so, try a wool blend.
  • To help wind yarn onto the shaft, place the point of the spindle on carpet, as it will not unwind on you.
  • Try to keep the thickness of your thread constant.

Warnings

  • Some people are allergic to some fibers. Before you give a gift made of hand spun yarn, find out whether the intended recipient is allergic to the fibers used.

Things You'll Need

  • A hand spindle (drop spindle)—For beginners, a hand spindle (drop spindle) is recommended, because it's both easier to find or make, and it teaches the necessary control for spinning on any wheel. It is possible to start with a traditional spinning wheel, but instead of being less than $10, you'll be lucky if it costs less than $200.
  • Fiber (can be roving, batts, slivers, or rolags)—Only buy an ounce (~12g) or so to start.
  • Yarn (for the leader )

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