I would like to try a drop spindle. Has anyone here used one and how easy is it to do? It seems like a cheaper way to go to find out if you like spinning yarn.
Drop Spindle
I’m curious about this, too. I won’t get to spin if I don’t use a spindle; the wheels are beyond our budget right now. :rollseyes:
same here. I have heard that some people just don’t seem to be able to do it but can spin with spinning wheels. Would think it would be worth trying 
I have not had much luck with a drop spindle. I feel like I need one more hand to make it all work. I can’t tell you yet about how well I take to the wheel. Hopefully a lot better since I just bought one.
I think it is definately worth a try to learn drop spindle. I plan on keeping at it for at least a little while longer.
The spindle is something that requires some patience with the learning curve. I was horribly frustrated when I began - leader yarn breaking, much swearing. I’d say that now I’m probably a mediocre spinner - I can get it moving but I lack the fine control for specific yarns. This is all because I don’t take the trouble to practice more often, though.
It is a skill worth learning, and the drop spindle is definitely the most affordable way to get experience. The key is to have patience with yourself, and if the books don’t work for you, try to find someone at your LYS or community ed office that can find a course for you. Sometimes it just takes learning from someone face to face - seeing it helps you put together what your own hands ought to be doing.
(Note to Amy - spinning tutorials for Drop Spindle? Good expansion lesson. )
I mentioned this before somewhere, but I finally got TWO spindles last Oct at my local big wool & sheep festival. I wanted a spindle for a year and finally found the ones I really liked at the festival. Annnnnnd, I haven’t tried spinning yet. I just keep looking forward to it and don’t do it.
Procratinator Extraordinaire
I have a really good book on it too. The one spindle I got is so beautiful, it cost $36 or something near there. One is smaller and the other a big guy.
I’m definitely going to try this any day now. I think I’d like in person lessons though… it’s just they’re so expensive around NYC. a drag
Like $200.
$200? Ack!
Do you get DIY? Knitty Gritty has a spinning episode, and it airs again on Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. eastern. In it, Liz Gipson demonstrates how to use a drop spindle. Also, here’s a link to an online tutorial of sorts. I’m sure there are lots of other sites out there; I just like Mielke’s Fiber Arts!
When I finally get a spindle ( :rollseyes: ), I’m going to try to use the KG episode and the online thing…fingers crossed that it works
Do you have a couple old CD’s? I believe this same Knitty Gritty has instructions on how to make a spindle from 2 old cd’s and a dowel rod.
Also a TERRIFIC book for drop spindle is called Spin it by Lee Raven
I have just pulled this book out again to re-read it and I wish I had read it closer the first time I think I would have done better. I am going to take my time this time and do the little teaching exercises she gives that I skipped last time. Who knows I may figure out this spindle thing after all.
Oh, I have lots of cds to make a spindle, but it will be a PITA to make it because I lack the necessary tools.
There’s a place about 10 minutes from me that has all sorts of them starting at about $15, so I’ll likely get one from there.
I found this http://danielson.laurentian.ca/qualityoflife/Fulltext/Textiles/Making_a_cd_drop_spindle.htm
Some people do GREAT with a CD spindle. My best friend still prefers her CD spindle over any other! I was a different story - I got really frustrated with drop spindling until I got a different kind of spindle. (Not to put anyone off, I just mention this in case you try a CD spindle and don’t get the knack of it.)
what other kinds of spindles are there??? :??
Some people make their own out of toy wheels and a wooden dowel. Then, there are plenty of ones that artisans make, such as:
http://www.hatchtown.com/spindles.html
http://coppermoose.com/spindles1-Mini.html (sadly not producing at this time due to a tragedy in the family, but his spindles are superb!)
http://www.journeywheel.com/spindles.php
http://www.dropspindle.info/dropspindles.html (awesome, but also expensive)
Also, numerous people sell spindles and spindle kits on e-bay.
Oh, if this belongs in the spinning resources section, feel free to move it :oops:
I love the Golding Spindles. I have been oogling those for a while. Although with my current skill on a spindle being as it is the purchase would be extravagent. (They are just so pretty!)
Anyways I have a question. Different diameters in the spindle effect spinning how? I am assuming how quickly it spins? Or am I wrong? How do I know which diameter I want?
So, of DROP spindeles, there are high whirl, low whirl, and turkish? This is the info I have found out so far.
I looked at all the resources in the sticky and it seems that high whorl creates thin yarns (spins faster) and low whorl creates thick yarns (spins slower). If you want to make a thick yarn you also need to use a rolag (a rolag uses short hairs that are combed with a lot of loft creating a light, thick yarn) rather than roving (roving uses long hairs and makes the yarn tight, dense and strong). There is also the Navajo spindle spinning.
From what I’ve read, not what I’ve tried (which right now is nothing lol)
And the larger the diameter of the whorl, the thicker the yarn. With a small diameter whorl, you can spin laceweight. Those beauties spin at a dizzying pace! :eyebrow:
So if I were to want to get one which would you suggest for someone just starting?
I won’t be getting any until feb but dosen’t hurt to shop around. 
Hmm, from the sounds of it, a low whorl/whirl (?) spindle with a large diameter, so that you can make thicker yarn. I know from experience that making thinner yarn is a pain in the butt! And I was doing it with a high whirl drop spindle, …it’s definitely like lace weight!