You know how it is when all your friends are doing something and you aren't? You start thinking that maybe there is a reason why they are all doing it. Spindle spinning was this something for me. In the last few months my spindle collection has grown from the Schacht Hi-Lo and and Ashford spindles on which I learned to spin. Both are basic spindles that are good for learning on, but lack glamor.
The first of the glamor gals was a spindle I haven't shown you yet.
A lovely little Apple wood spindle from Spindlewood purchased at CNCH in May. As I recall it weighs 25g. I immediately started spinning some cashmere from California Cashmere. Lovely people and their cashmere is divine!
In a moment of weakness brilliance I bought another Spindlewood spindle at CNCH (previously blogged here).
The Spindlewoods are wonderful. The craftsmanship is fabulous, they spin forever, and they won't roll away. Plus, the folks that make and sell them are sweethearts.
At Black Sheep I acquired a Forrester Granny and a Bosworth Midi (previously blogged here). In the previous post I mislabeled the Bosworth. It is a Morado whorl with a Birch shaft. When Sheila Bosworth corrects your error, you listen. ;-)
The newest member of the clan is this cutie.
A brecciated jasper high whorl spindle from Butterfly Girl Designs. I had been watching her shop and then one day this beauty showed up. The stone whorl is 2 inches across and the spindle weighs 1.1 ounces. It is a nice spinner, posing here with some madder dyed tussah silk.
I think this will be my spindle clan for now. Although, Golding is going to be a vendor at SOAR. It will be hard to resist getting a spindle from them.
People ask me if they should learn to spin on a drop spindle or a wheel. I learned on a spindle, but didn't really feel comfortable with it. A month later I took a wheel class and didn't look back.
Until recently, I didn't even like spindle spinning. What changed? At CNCH, our booth was across from Spindlewood's booth. Their spindles are so pretty that I kept going over to look at them. Eventually I tried one, then another one, then another one. Now, with more experience spinning, I like spindle spinning. A lot.
For me, learning on the wheel was easier. Other people say they were more comfortable learning on a spindle. It certainly is cheaper to buy a spindle or two or twenty.
Which did you learn on? Do you have a preference? I would also love to here about your favorite spindles.
Speaking of learning to spin. Brooke (and sometimes me too) is teaching drop spindle and wheel spinning (scroll down) at Knit One One in Berkeley. It is very near the Ashby BART station. Currently scheduled is a beginning drop spindle class and a beginning wheel class. We will have some wheels (Victoria, Julia, Ladybug) available for you rent (and purchase if you wish) during the wheel class.
I've signed up for the wheel class. I finally took the plunge with an Ashford Joy DT. I love her!!!
Your spindle collection is very cute. And how rad to have Sheila comment on your blog?!!!
Posted by: WonderMike | July 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I noticed that Golding is a vendor too; I'm considering placing a pre-order. Their spindles have such a reputation, I'd be a fool NOT to get one, ya know?!?
Posted by: elizabeth | July 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I first tried a spindle when I was about 12, my mom got them at Wisconsin Historic Farms site one summer visiting family. The spindles where clunky, to heavy, and well just badly made, we tried them for about 20 min. and gave up.
Flash forward to age 17, a friend of my mother's got a wheel and let me try it, I was instantly in love, so I got a spinning wheel instead of a class ring. I blame this wheel for my B.S. in Textile Science, haha.
Then I went to a local spinning guild meeting (in SoCal) and meet Trish, from Tanglewood Fibers, who became my "Spinning Mother" she taught me so much and dragged me to the Black Sheep Gathering, where I got a Turkish drop spindle, I had to, it was just to neat. While there I took a class where they gave us a basic top whorl from Louet. This time it worked, the spindle didn't instantly plop on the floor and the single was, mostly, even.
I still prefer my wheel, mostly for the speed, but spindling is great when I am in the mood to fiddle and feel my fiber more.
Posted by: Tesseract84 | July 11, 2008 at 12:03 PM
I tried a spindle first and had a really difficult time. When I sat down at a wheel for the first time it was like the clouds cleared and I though "Oh! So this is how it works!". Now, after spinning on a wheel for a year I enjoy spindles more and feel comfortable using them. The summary for me was just that the learning curve was too tough on the spindle and I probably would not have continued spinning if I didn't try a wheel.
Posted by: abmatic | July 11, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I go in phases, but SOAR always ups my spindle spinning. It's just easier in the evenings to hang out and spin on a spindle. Also, I have so many nice ones now that it would be a shame not to let them out to play!
Posted by: Anne | July 11, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Get the Golding -- you won't regret it ;-)
My faves are wood choices too -- Bosworth, Tabachek, Kundert; I put my dream team (1 of each, covering the weight range) up on my flickr the other day (askthebellwether on flickr too). Those Spindlewood square spindles and Jenkins Turkish spindles are on my "short list" too, though.
Spindle or wheel? *both* of course! and charka, too!
Posted by: Amelia G. | July 11, 2008 at 01:07 PM
I learned on a spindle, and still adore spindle-spinning (and have shamelessly acquired a sizeable collection). Shortly after getting the hang of spindle-spinning, I learned on a wheel and I really like spinning with either tool -- spindles for portability and process, wheel for productivity.
Abby F. has a good theory (with which I agree) as to why people "get" the wheel after feeling they've failed at spindle spinning. Basically, no one gets spinning during their first attempt, no matter what the tool, but after their second or third attempt, they finally "get it", no matter what tool they use, even if it's different than the first tool. It's just the brain and the muscles and the hands all getting into sync, which takes a little time, sorta like learning to drive a stick-shift car.
Posted by: Mary | July 11, 2008 at 01:15 PM
Lovely spindles!
I bought a spindle about two years ago, tried to learn and practiced a bit and then put it away because I couldn't get it. I signed up for a spinning wheel class and even then I couldn't figure it out properly. I just picked it up a week ago and tried to mess around with it, and wow, I finally got it. I've been obsessed the last several days!! I'm in love. I'm almost wishing I could buy a wheel but for budget considerations, I'm going to stick with the spindle for a while.
thanks for the links on the lovely spindles you own!
Posted by: bee | July 11, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I have been spinning for a year and a half... spindles only. I taught myself, and with practicing daily went quite far. Took a spindling class with Abby after a year and went farther. I love my spindles, and I probably still wouldn't be getting a wheel but I have a paying spinning job now that requires a bit more productivity than I can get on my spindles. So my wheel should be getting here in a week or two! yay!
Posted by: Donna B | July 11, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Being the backwards wonder I learned on a wheel first then a spindle. In my defense, when I bought my wheel I was just there for a spindle :) I love that new Butterfly Girl one of yours - very nice. I fondled some of hers at the Mass sheep and wool but none called to me. I still only have one (a pretty Bosworth) but I would love to pick up another one in a bit heavier weight.
Posted by: michelle | July 11, 2008 at 07:06 PM
I just started spinning in May on a spindle and yet to try a wheel but I can say that the proper spindle does make a difference. I started on a put together Ashford that is 2.75 oz and had a difficult time. After some reading I finally got a better idea and then ordered a spinsanity spindle that weighs .8 oz. What a difference this spindle has made, I'm spinning more evenly and thinner.
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that has been acquiring many spindles in such a short time. I am currently waiting for my 2 spindle set from Butterflygirl designs to come in!
Posted by: Emily | July 11, 2008 at 07:34 PM
You can't pass up a Golding!!! I bought two from him at MS&W - a little Tsunami and one with a petit point rim - beautiful and super spinners!
Posted by: Robin | July 11, 2008 at 11:24 PM
I got my first spindle about two years ago and I got along quite well. Although I have a lot of different spindles I prefer some cheap and boring wooden spindle because it's quite heavy. When I want to spin really thin yarns or silk I use the Takhli from Schacht.
Last month I still said I would never use a spinning wheel, but I recently found out that there is a lady who teaches wheel classes in our town. Of course I had to sign up for a class and I will go there next week. I am so excited! If I get along with the spinning weel, I will soon get my own...
Posted by: Neela | July 12, 2008 at 12:05 AM
I started on a Bosworth spindle. Thought that a $40 investment to see if I liked it was better than a wheel investment and finding I hated it. I think I spun about 50 yards, and then went for the wheel. Now I am spindling,and it is probably because of Steve and Spindlewoodco. I bought a spalted maple for the beauty, and then found a tool that spins forever. I'm doing camel/tussah on it right now, and alternate between wheel and spindle.
Posted by: Laurie | July 15, 2008 at 04:09 AM
I started spinning with a spindle (a homemade one I cobbled together with a little wooden wheel from Michael's, a paintbrush handle, and a mini cuphook - I love spindle spinning, but have yet to actually buy a real spindle...)
My father had tried to teach me to spin on a wheel years ago, and I just couldn't 'get it' - but teaching myself with the spindle clicked. After a year of spindle-spinning, Dad gave me his old Ashford Traditional, and this time I GOT it! I think the year of drafting practice with the spindle taught my fingers what they needed to know...
Now I spin with both. The spindle is nice for portable projects (or when I just want to show off!) while the wheel is for big projects (currently working on a Cotswald fleece for a sweater project.)
You have a beautiful collection of spindles - thanks for showing them to us!
Posted by: gayle | July 15, 2008 at 04:51 AM