Posted By admin on October 22, 2010

Spindle Whorl

What are the pros and cons of a high whorl or top whorl drop spindle?

After using both, the bottom whorl spindle seems to be just as good as top whorl with the added bonus of spinning longer when you have the room to spin. Is is possible to achieve a long spin on a top whorl (That'd be a pro). Also, is it possible to walk and spin with a top whorl? that would be a major pro!

It's a matter of preference. I use both well.

To get the maximum amount of spin on either you need to do more than flick the shaft with your fingers, you need to do a thigh roll. Put the spindle shaft against your knee and use the palm of your hand to quickly roll it up your leg. This takes a bit of practice but it works on all weight spindles for long spinning time. Be sure you are well attenuated first because this will use up fiber fast.

As for walking while spinning, sure you can. First practice spinning while standing until you have the drafting and thigh spin down well and then begin to walk a few steps at a time, you feel the twist in the fingers and draft as you go. It takes a good bit of practice at first, but then, like spinning itself, becomes habit.

Category: Antiques
Tags: ancient spindle whorls, artifact, native american spindle whorl, roman, spindle, spindle whorl, spindle whorl beads, spindle whorl coast salish, spinning, whorl