How to Spin with a Drop Spindle

Last Updated: May 6, 2021

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 un-spun 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.

Community Q&A

Question

Where can I buy one of these?

Bookworm With Too Much Time on Her Hands

Community Answer

You can find them on Amazon, or you could make your own with materials from any craft store, like Michael's or Hobby Lobby.

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.

Thanks!
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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 )