Spindles

If you’ve never tried spinning before, or you like the idea of being able to spin anywhere, you should consider investing in a spindle. A spindle, at its most basic, is nothing more than a whorl with a stick (more properly called a spindle shaft) going through its center.

There is a seemingly endless variety of spindles. You’ll find spindles made out of wood, ceramics, stone, and metals, just to name a few of the more commonly used materials. There are supported spindles, which are used by spinning the spindle on a surface, and drop spindles, which are spun suspended in the air by the yarn that’s being spun.

Spindles also differ in weight, the shape of the whorl, and the location of the whorl on the spindle shaft. Perhaps the most important characteristic is weight. If you want to spin fine yarns, you should choose a lightweight spindle. Conversely, if you want to spin heavier weight yarns, you should choose a heavier spindle.

Below are a few of the current auctions for spindles on eBay. Click a picture or description to get more information about a particular auction or to place your bid now!

hand-drop-spinning-spindle-by-ldl-the-danish-woodturner HAND DROP SPINNING SPINDLE BY LDL THE DANISH WOODTURNER
US $24.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 21:26:18 PST
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hand-drop-spinning-spindle-by-ldl-the-danish-woodturner HAND DROP SPINNING SPINDLE BY LDL THE DANISH WOODTURNER
US $22.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Friday Nov-21-2008 21:31:18 PST
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v-s-lace-drop-spindle-ds-0405--top-whorl V.S. Lace Drop Spindle (DS.0405 ) Top whorl
US $19.50 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 8:08:52 PST
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v-s-lace-drop-spindle-ds-0399--small-top-whorl V.S. Lace Drop Spindle (DS.0399 ) Small Top whorl
US $19.75 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 8:09:04 PST
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v-s-lace-drop-spindle-ds-0402--top-whorl V.S. Lace Drop Spindle (DS.0402 ) Top whorl
US $19.50 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 8:09:14 PST
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v-s-lace-drop-spindle-ds-0403--top-whorl V.S. Lace Drop Spindle (DS.0403 ) Top whorl
US $19.50 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 8:09:22 PST
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v-s-lace-drop-spindle-ds-0404--top-whorl V.S. Lace Drop Spindle (DS.0404 ) Top whorl
US $19.50 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 8:09:31 PST
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drop-spindle-top-whorl-cherry-and-cedar-1-4-oz-s DROP SPINDLE Top Whorl Cherry and Cedar 1.4 Oz's
US $9.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Saturday Nov-22-2008 13:53:24 PST
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maple-wood-drop-spindle-kit-calico-kitty-yarn-wool Maple Wood Drop Spindle KIt "Calico Kitty" yarn wool
US $23.95
End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 9:23:19 PST
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large-spindle-basic-drop-spindle-spinning-kit Large Spindle Basic Drop Spindle Spinning Kit
US $24.50
End Date: Sunday Nov-23-2008 9:23:41 PST
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If you’re lucky enough to have a shop near you that sells spindles, you should go there and try out a few before buying, since what you’ll like is largely a matter of preference. When you try out the spindle, you should make sure the spindle should spin easily without too much wobbling, and that it keeps spinning for a reasonable period of time without being twirled again. Many beginning spindlers find that top whorl drop spindles are the easiest spindles to begin with.