The drop spindle is an ancient, portable, and inexpensive tool that allows anyone to transform raw fiber into usable yarn. This simple device consists of a shaft and a weighted disc called a whorl. The fundamental process of spinning involves adding twist to a bundle of prepared fibers, which locks them together and creates a continuous, strong strand. Mastering this craft requires understanding the relationship between the fiber, the twist, and the controlled thinning of the material.
Tools and Preparation
Selecting the right equipment and fiber is the first step toward successful spinning. For a beginner, a medium-weight top-whorl spindle, typically weighing between 50 and 75 grams, is recommended. This design is generally easier to manage when learning the foundational “park and draft” technique.
The choice of fiber significantly impacts the learning experience, and a prepared wool fiber is the most forgiving option. Look for a combed top or roving from a medium-staple sheep breed, such as Corriedale or Bluefaced Leicester (BFL). These fibers have a staple length of approximately three to five inches and possess enough natural crimp and grip to prevent them from slipping out of your hands too easily. Avoid very fine or slippery fibers like silk or alpaca until you have developed consistent control.
Before spinning, you must attach a “leader,” which is a short piece of commercial yarn that acts as an anchor for your new fiber. Tie the leader securely around the spindle shaft just below the whorl, then bring the yarn up and loop it over the hook or notch at the top of the shaft. The prepared fiber is then overlapped with the end of the leader, ready to receive the initial twist that will bind the two together.
The Park and Draft Spinning Method
The park and draft method allows beginners to learn the mechanics of spinning in a controlled way. The process begins by giving the spindle a clockwise spin, known as a Z-twist, by rolling the shaft against your thigh or flicking the whorl. This action loads the leader yarn with the twist that will bind the fibers together.
Once the spindle is spinning, you “park” it by stopping its rotation, often by tucking the shaft between your knees or under your arm. This frees both hands to manage the fiber supply and the drafting zone. The drafting zone is the area where you gently pull and thin the prepared fiber supply, separating a small, consistent amount of material.
The “pinch” technique controls where the twist enters the fiber. You maintain a firm pinch on the newly drafted, thin section of fiber, preventing the twist from traveling up into the unspun supply. Slowly releasing this pinch allows the stored Z-twist to travel up the yarn, locking the drafted fibers into a cohesive single strand. This controlled release transforms the soft fiber into strong yarn.
After spinning a length of yarn, you must “wind on” the newly created single to the spindle shaft to maintain the spindle’s balance. Unhook the yarn from the top, wrap it neatly around the shaft below the whorl, creating a cone-shaped bundle called a cop. Re-hook the working yarn over the hook or notch, and repeat the process of spinning, parking, drafting, and winding on until the cop is full.
Plying and Finishing Your Yarn
A single strand of yarn is inherently unbalanced due to the stored Z-twist, causing it to kink and curl back on itself. Plying is the process of twisting two or more singles together in the opposite direction to create a balanced, durable, and stable yarn. This counter-twist neutralizes the energy in the singles, making the final product suitable for knitting or weaving.
To prepare for plying, the spun single is typically wound off the spindle and into a ball or onto a second spindle, creating two separate sources of yarn. The two singles are then held together and attached to the leader of the spindle, which is now spun in the opposite direction—counter-clockwise, or S-twist. The S-twist binds the two Z-twist singles together, creating a two-ply yarn.
As the spindle rotates, you feed the two singles together, ensuring they twist evenly around each other. The plying twist should be just enough to hold the two strands together without causing the finished yarn to kink when held slack.
Once plying is complete, you must “set the twist” to stabilize the yarn structure. This is achieved by soaking the finished yarn in warm water, which allows the fibers to relax and the twist energy to equalize. After soaking, gently squeeze out the excess water, and hang the yarn to dry with a light weight applied to maintain tension. This process ensures the yarn remains balanced and prevents it from twisting back on itself during subsequent use.
Troubleshooting and Consistency Tips
Inconsistent yarn thickness, often called thick and thin spots, is a common beginner challenge that results from uneven drafting. To correct this, focus on pulling a steady, even amount of fiber from the supply before allowing the twist to enter the drafting zone. A slow, deliberate pull helps maintain a uniform diameter in the single strand.
If the yarn frequently breaks, it is a sign that the fiber is not receiving enough twist before the drafting is complete. The twist is what provides the strength, so ensure the spindle has a good spin before you begin to draft. Conversely, if the yarn kinks excessively or forms tight pigtails when held slack, it indicates too much twist has been inserted.
When too much twist is present, you can either draft a thicker section of fiber to absorb the excess energy or allow the spindle to spin backward slightly to remove some of the stored twist. Spindle wobble during spinning is usually caused by an unevenly wound cop, where the yarn is concentrated on one side of the shaft. Distributing the yarn evenly across the cop as you wind on will keep the spindle balanced and spinning smoothly.