DROP SPINDLING
I don’t know if you are like me – but truthfully – I struggled with using a Drop Spindle for many years. It seemed effortless when I watched others spinning away on their drop spindles – but I just couldn’t get the hang of it. The darn Spindle would always fall to the floor – leaving me holding a sad length of half spun roving. No matter what Spindle I used -the result was the same.
I have been doing Nalbinding lately and always think about how my Sámi grandmother stitched away at her Nalbinding – that she would sell in summer months to the ‘rich’ reindeer herding Sámi families. She was a Sea Sámi – who were not as fortunate – depending on the fishing season.
TALES OF A SEA SAMI
She and her 7 children lived in a turf hut – that would often get snowed in during winter months. She used a Seal Oil lamp for lighting. So I imagine it must have been quite dark – and they sat on reindeer skins on the floor. So how did she spin her wool? She used a drop spindle, but certainly couldn’t stand and drop it to the floor. She must have held the spindle close to herself as she sat cross-legged on reindeer skins.
So I tested this method out – as I sat in my comfortable office chair, next to my computer desk. I played with the spindle in my hand and a bit of roving in the other hand – and drafted from the side, rather than dropping the spindle to the floor.
Much to my wonderful surprise – I was actually spinning a decent looking yarn! And it was almost effortless. The spindle didn’t drop – I have full control. I spin a short section, stop, wind it onto the bobbin, hook the end of the yarn back onto the spindle hook, draft a bit and spin a bit.
As I spin I don’t fill up the whole bobbin because the bobbin spin slows down as the bobbin gets heavier. This slows down the spinning process – so I spin about half way and stop – then wind the spun yarn into small balls – wrapping the yarn around my thumb. I will let the spun yarn sit for a bit while I spin the rest of the roving. Then I will wind the yarn into small skeins and perhaps dye them in a lichen dye bath. I have collected a few different types of lichen lately so I will give those a try.
Woolen Spinning
I am spinning this yarn as woolen spun. I will be using it as a Single Ply. I am using Natural White Corriedale roving. I am spinning about 5-7 grams per bobbin.
Drop Spindle
The Drop Spindle I am using was handcrafted by Ian at IST Crafts -Wood Emporium The Wood Emporiumis located on the Isle of Wight. This Drop Spindle is an Oak Bur on Sycamore with Ash shaft. Rim banded / weighted
Quercus petraea
Drop Spindle Spinning
Categories: HAND SPINNING
