Mielke's
Fiber Arts, LLC Your Central Wisconsin source for weaving,
spinning, knitting, crocheting, tatting, bobbin lace, felting, dyeing, and
locker hooking equipment, books, and supplies.
Basic
"Historical" Drop Spindle Designed for us by Tromp and Treadle, to use at historical
demonstrations. Weighs around 1 1/2 ounces. Approximately 3"
whorl. Tapered shaft. Oil finish.
Babe's
Top/Bottom Whorl Handspindle A versatile, inexpensive spindle. Can be used top, bottom, mid
or balkan style. Comes with two whorls. Use one for singles, two for
plying or heavier yarn. Plastic whorl and birch shaft with hook.
Weight: 2.2 ounces. For more information, follow the Babe's link
above.
Schacht 2" Hi-Lo Spindle. This spindle has a 12"
shaft, weighs 1.1 oz. and has a groove at one end and a hook at the
opposite end, so it can be used as either a high or low whorl spindle.
Made of hard maple and finished by hand with Danish oil.
Schacht is discontinuing their old 3 and
4 drop spindles in favor of their new 3 and 4 Hi-Lo Spindles.
Theyve added a brass hook to the whorl end for high-whorlspinning
and retained the notched shaft for bottom-whorl spinning. The 3 also has a
new, thinner profile that resembles their traditional 4 spindle. The 3
weighs 2.2 ounces and the 4 weighs 3 ounces.
Schacht 3" Hi-Lo Spindle. This spindle has a 12"
shaft, weighs 2.2 ounces, has a hook for high-whorl spinning and a groove
for low-whorl spinning. Made
of hard maple and finished by hand with Danish oil.
Schacht 4" Hi-Lo Spindle. This spindle has a 12"
shaft, weighs 3 ounces, has a hook for high-whorl spinning and a groove for
low-whorl spinning. Made of
hard maple and finished by hand with Danish oil.
Babe's
Top/Bottom Whorl Handspindle A versatile, inexpensive spindle. Can be used top, bottom, mid
or balkan style. Comes with two whorls. Use one for singles, two for
plying or heavier yarn. Plastic whorl and birch shaft with hook.
Weight: 2.2 ounces. For more information, follow the Babe's link
above.
Weights ranging from 1 oz. to 1.9 oz. Various
combinations of woods. Single notch set slightly to the back of the hook
keeps the yarn from slipping. Approximately 3 1/2" whorls, with
overall shaft length (including hook) approximately 10 1/2". These elegant spindles spin
beautifully!
The turning at the bottom tip of the shaft also makes it
possible to use this spindle as a bottom whorl, by half-hitching the yarn around
it; yet it is unobtrusive enough that it won't interfere when slipping your cops
off.
Small or large top whorl spindles. Rim weighted, metal hooks.
Prices range from $32 - $40. Shaft lengths range from 9" to
12". Small whorls are approximately 2", large whorls are
approximately 3". Large
weigh 24 - 32 grams, small weight 18 - 22 grams. Notched.
Pear Tahkli,
specially suited for spinning cotton. 1 1/2" hard maple whorl, 10 1/2"
brass shaft. Weight: 1 oz.
Adam's Woodshop Tahkli
Made by Daniel Mielke of Rudolph, WI. Flattened hook with point allows for
traditional unwinding (tahkli braced horizontally in the "Y" of a
split stick or reed). Sharp point at bottom ensures fast rotation while
spinning. Whorl is a one dollar
coin, shaft is spring steel. Approximately 7" long with a 1"
whorl. Weighs approximately 14 grams.
Made by US potters, each bowl is individually made. Various colors of glazes.
Sizes range from 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" tall and 2 1/2" to 3" across, with a nice dimple in the bottom of the
bowl.
Valkyrie Turkish Spindles
Made of native
hardwoods. Knobs at both ends of shaft allow you to use this spindle as
top or bottom whorl. Lovely intersecting arms allow you to remove your
ball of spun yarn without unwinding. Shaft is 10" long, with 5" arms.
Weight is approximately 1.5 oz. Rubbed with a Danish Oil Finish.
Currently available in cherry, maple or walnut (walnut spindles have
a maple shaft).
Tromp & Treadle Turkish Spindle Made of maple with an oil finish. Approximately 11" long.
Knob at the top of the shaft helps hold a half-hitch. Weighs a little over
2 ounces.
Designed for the traditional method of rolling on the
spinner's thigh while seated on a low stool or kneeling. Made of hard maple and finished by hand with Danish
oil. Whorl is 4 1/2" diameter and the shaft measures 30".
Weight: 5 oz.
Good
Wood Food - Rub on, wait a bit, and then buff with a soft cloth to a satin
finish. Works wonders on all woods, even food-surface safe!! Try it on knife
handles, butcher blocks, fine wood furniture, and our favorite use - spindles
and spinning wheels!! Contains pure vegetable oils and real lemon and lavender
essential oils. 4 oz.
Basic Drop Spindle Kit Comes with everything you need to learn how to spin yarn on a drop
spindle: the 55 minute DVD "Getting Started on a Drop Spindle" with
Maggie Casey, one of the Ashford small top whorl spindles, and a 1/4 lb. of NZ Corriedale
roving.* Save $6.45
(over purchasing the items separately)!
*Depending on availability of listed fibers, we reserve the
right to substitute colors.
Learn to Spin Kit from Nancy's Knit Knacks
The NKK Learn to Spin Kit is one of the very first to offer quality components and a 32 minute DVD at such a low price. Nancy personally designed this kit for beginners. Each one of
the kit components was selected based on its ease of use for a beginning spinner.
The spindle is made from birch hardwood components which have an oil finish applied.
The shaft measures 11" in length (3/8" diameter) with a 2.75" diameter top whorl.
The whorl has 2 notches (one on each side opposite of the hook).
The hook is made from a custom designed wire which will not bend or twist. Its special shape helps ensure that the spindle will spin properly.
The total weight is approximately 45 grams which is within the ideal weight range for a beginning spinner (not too light or too heavy)
The one ounce of fiber is from Ashland Bay Trading Company of the USA. It is their multi-colored Colonial fiber which is an ideal fiber for beginners.
The 32 minute DVD video (see sample below) will play in any DVD player. It was produced by Nancy's Knit Knacks especially for this kit. It features Nancy Shroyer as the instructor who leads the student through a complete training session on how to spin using a drop
spindle. Nancy is a nationally recognized fiber arts instructor. She will easily teach you how to
spin.
All About Cotton Kit Includes tahkli (spindle), six ounces of a variety
of cotton fibers including a cotton boll and punis, and illustrated instructions. It's
fun, give it a try!
Note: Fiber assortment may vary from what is shown at times, depending on availability
- but you will always get six ounces of several forms of cotton, including
naturally colored cotton.
Here are some of the books we carry that deal specifically
with spindle spinning. To see the rest of our spinning book selection, go
to our Spinning Books Page.
HANDS ON SPINNING, Lee Raven. In my estimation, this is the best
book for people who want to learn to spin (this is the book I learned
from!). Takes you through the basic spinning technique on a hooked stick,
to spindle, to wheel. Selection of fleece, washing and carding covered as
well. Includes basic knitting and weaving patterns for using your first
yarn. 120 pgs. Sc, $18.95. #239021
HANDSPINDLES, Bette Hochberg. Handspindles have been in use for at least 6,000 years. There are many different types and styles and ways of using them. Bette Hochberg gives a good background on spindles and spindle spinning. She discusses ten of the most common varieties of spindles, how they were used, and what types of fibers would have been spun on them. Good information. Sc,
$9.95 #109329
HIGH
WHORLING: A Spinner's Guide to an Old World Skill, Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts.
On the subject of handspindles, high whorl and low whorl, Priscilla A.
Gibson-Roberts is unabashedly opinionated: the high whorl is superior and she shows
why in this book. High Whorling is an inviting book for the new
spinner, covering all aspects of spinning with the high whorl handspindle from
fiber selection and preparation to detailed spinning techniques. It is
also the ideal guide for those with previous experience in low whorl or wheel
spinning who wish to take up the high whorl. Spinners at all levels will
want to study Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts in her (sometimes surprising ) approach
to fiber and spinning techniques, her choice of hand tools, and her own
carefully worked out methods of yarn finish.
ISBN-13: 9780966828900. ISBN-10: 0966828909. 135 pages. Black and
white illustrations. 6 1/8" x 9 1/4" hardcover.
$18.95 #139164
LEARN TO SPIN SILK ON A TOP WHORL SPINDLE, Ruth MacGregor. This claims to not be an in-depth text, but rather
opens the door to those of us who have fallen in love with silk and want to
learn a new skill through an easy to use booklet. However, I found the
pages to be full of helpful information. From affordable equipment
suppliers to concise definitions on the forms of silk fibers, to the kinds of
silk available, the author obviously knows her subject. She takes you by
baby steps, through refining your technique, to making a skein, to plying. There
is a section on troubleshooting, and info on local guilds of fiber
friends. A very useful little booklet. ISBN #1788343887. 38
pages, softcover, 5 1/4" x 8 1/2". $9.95 #139168
PRODUCTIVE SPINDLING, Amelia Garripoli.
Productive Spindling... a 21st century look at top whorl, bottom whorl and Turkish spindle methods to boost your techniques for efficiency make productivity fun!
Spindlers will find many useful tips for all kinds of fiber, spindle choices, drafting, joins, plying and finishing. Productive Spindling is packed with photos to show technique, spindles, yarn, and finished items by the author and the worldwide spindling community.
Published by Ask The Bellweather. 8 1/2'' X 11'' Spiral Bound Softcover.
50 pages. $18.00 #139717
RESPECT
THE SPINDLE, Abby Franquemont.
Portable and productive, the hand spindle has been responsible for creating the world's yarn for millennia. In Respect the Spindle, veteran spinner and spindle aficionado Abby Franquemont teaches spinners old and new how to create incredible yarn with this amazing, yet simple tool.
Many contemporary spinners view the hand spindle as a beginner's tool, suited to learn the basic steps of spinning before moving on to a spinning wheel. In Respect the Spindle, Abby emphasizes the spindle's importance and its use in making yarn in advanced ways for high-end to novelty cloth.
The perfect how-to book for any spinner with a growing collection of spindles or even just a dowel, Respect the Spindle includes:
Step-by-step photography with detailed illustrations, making the spindle spinning techniques clear to even the novice spinner.
Techniques from the basics, such as getting started on the spindle, to more specialized techniques, such as using the spindle to make specific kinds of yarn faster than imagined.
Profiles of spindle spinners from various traditions are presented in sidebars throughout the book, which introduce heartwarming and historical fiber stories from around the world.
Five simple projects give spinners practice in creating a variety of yarns and patterns.
And more!
SPINDLE SPINNING: FROM NOVICE TO
EXPERT, Connie Delaney. This book takes you through the basics of spinning, including
preparing wool to spin. The chapters cover top-whorl, bottom-whorl,
Navajo, Turkish and supported spindles, as well as how to make several types of
spindles. This is an excellent book to get you started on spinning, or, if
you already spin on a wheel, to get you started on portable, versatile hand
spindles. 80 pages, black and white photos and diagrams. Softcover, $15.95
#139167
Mielke's
Fiber Arts, LLC
,
HANDS ON SPINNING, Lee Raven. In my estimation, this is the best
book for people who want to learn to spin (this is the book I learned
from!). Takes you through the basic spinning technique on a hooked stick,
to spindle, to wheel. Selection of fleece, washing and carding covered as
well. Includes basic knitting and weaving patterns for using your first
yarn. 120 pgs. Sc, $18.95. #239021
HIGH
WHORLING: A Spinner's Guide to an Old World Skill, Priscilla A. Gibson-Roberts.
LEARN TO SPIN SILK ON A TOP WHORL SPINDLE, Ruth MacGregor.
SPINDLE SPINNING: FROM NOVICE TO
EXPERT, Connie Delaney.