Spindle Obsession

Drop spindles are used by suspending the spindle in the air by the fiber mass and the yarn that’s just been spun. Drop spindles can be classified by the location of their whorl. There are top whorl (or high whorl) drop spindles, low whorl (or bottom whorl) drop spindles, and even mid whorl spindles.

Current eBay auctions for drop spindles are listed below. Click a picture or description for more information or to place your bid.

As with any spindle, the weight of a drop spindle is critical to getting the type of yarn you want. Choose a lightweight spindle if you want to spin a fine yarn, and a heavier spindle for heavier weight yarns. The location of the whorl is largely a matter of preference, although most beginners seem to find spinning with a top whorl spindle easier than spinning with a bottom whorl spindle.

Here’s another tip for choosing a spindle - if you want your spindle to spin for a long time without twisting it again, look for a spindle with a whorl that’s thicker at the rim than in the middle.