Brief description

A straight spike usually made of wood used for spinning, twisting fibers such as wool, flax, hemp, or cotton into yarn. It often includes a weight (whorl) to help maintain the spin.

Use / Function

• Primary use: Spinning loose fibers into strong, continuous yarn or thread.
• Secondary uses: Plying multiple strands of yarn together.
• Scale: Individual/Domestic.

Operating Principle

The spindle relies on angular momentum.

1. Twist: The spindle is spun (twirled) by hand or against the thigh.
2. Inertia: The weight (whorl) keeps the spindle rotating.
3. Transfer: As it rotates, the twist travels up the fibers, locking them together.
4. Storage: Once a length is spun, it is wound onto the spindle shaft.

How to create it

Minimum functional version (Drop Spindle)

1. Shaft: A straight stick (approx. 20-30 cm).
2. Whorl: A disc-shaped weight (clay, stone, wood, or even a potato) with a hole in the center.
3. Assembly: Fit the whorl onto the shaft (near the bottom or top).
4. Hook/Notch: A notch or hook at the top to secure the thread while spinning.

Technical level

Basic.

Materials needed

• Essential materials:
  • Wood (for the shaft).
  • Weight material (clay, stone, wood, bone) for the whorl.
• Tools:
  • Knife (to carve the shaft).
  • Drill or sharp stone (to make the hole in the whorl).

Variants and improvements

• Drop Spindle: Suspended in the air while spinning; good for strong fibers.
• Supported Spindle: The tip rests in a bowl; good for short or delicate fibers (like cotton).
• Spinning Wheel: Mechanized version that rotates the spindle via a wheel and belt (faster).

Limits and risks

• Speed: Slower than a spinning wheel.
• Capacity: Can only hold a limited amount of yarn before it needs to be wound off.
• Learning curve: Requires practice to maintain an even spin and consistent yarn thickness.