Learn to spin on a drop spindle

If you have ever wanted to learn to spin your own yarn but don’t want to invest in a spinning wheel, drop spindles are a pocket friendly and portable way to start making your own yarn on a budget. They come in different shapes and sizes and vary in price. They can be either top or bottom whorl. The drop spindles I sell in my shop are top whorl spindles which are great for beginners.

In this step by step tutorial I will be demonstrating how to get started spinning on a top whorl spindle.

There are three parts to the drop spindle the whorl, the shaft and the hook. The whorl is slipped onto the shaft and a hook is added to the top.

Step 1

To get started you will need your drop spindle, some fibre and a leader yarn.

The leader yarn can be any leftover yarn you have lying about the house. I have included a piece of acrylic yarn in with the kits I sell in my shop.

Attach the leader yarn to the shaft of the drop spindle below the whorl and tie a loop in the other end, then bring the yarn up around the edge of the whorl and wrap it around the hook.

Dangle the spindle by the yarn in front of you and practise spinning in a clockwise direction to get a feel for the spindle. Spinning in a clockwise direction is called Z twist. Now practise spinning in an anticlockwise direction - S twist. This is used when plying two or more singles together.

Step 2

 

I recommend practising drafting your fibre before starting to spin on your drop spindle. First take your combed top and split into manageable strips. Wrap a strip of fibre around your wrist to help prevent it getting caught in the yarn. Pinch the tip of the fibre strip with your left hand and pull (draft) the fibre back with your right hand (reverse if left handed) see image.

Wrap the end of the drafted fibre through the loop of the leader and back on it’s self for about 2 inches pinching the folded ends with your thumb and index finger. With the other hand start the spindle spinning in a clockwise direction. After the twist has built up stop the spindle spinning and park it under your arm (if standing) or between your knees if you are sitting.

Step 3

Now you have parked your spindle move your left hand up to where your right hand was and pinch the fibre. With your right hand begin drafting the fibre. If you allow the fibre to travel up into the drafting zone without pinching with your left hand it will be harder to draft. Stop drafting and pinch the fibre with your thumb and index finger of your right hand and allow the twist to travel up the fibre. Now spin the spindle again in a clockwise direction. Keep twisting the spindle, parking either under your arm or between your knees, pinching and drafting until the yarn is as long as your arm. 

Wind the yarn onto the shaft of the spindle by pinching off the twist with your right hand. Now keeping your hands apart, the yarn should be held at tension. Wind on the yarn in a clockwise direction nestling it firmly against the whorl. Leave a few inches between the whorl and your fibre to start spinning again.

Joining in more fibre

At some point your fibre will break, when this happens you need to rejoin the fibre supply. Overlap the new fibres with your spun yarn and allow the twist to join the fibres together. Give the spindle another spin to make sure the yarn is stable. Carry on spinning, parking and drafting as before.

How much twist is enough?

You need to have a good amount of twist to make your yarn strong. You can check how much twist you have in your yarn, just before winding on the yarn let it go slack and allow it to twist back on itself. The plied yarn should be firm but not hard (over plied) or too loose with gaps (under plied). You will soon get the hang of judging how much twist is needed to create the yarn you want.