CRAFTING TOOLS

  Traditionally used for spinning cotton, this versatile spindle can also be used for other fine fibers such as silk or qiviut. Named for the Akha who live in the mountainous regions of Thailand, Laos and China's Yunnan Province. Unusual in that the whorl is further towards the centre than most spindles 

These spindles vary in length from around 16" to 19". It can be used as a drop spindle or held in the hand and spun that way.

 These spindles are loosely based on a historical style found in the Aquitaine region of France.The one displayed is 12" including the hook. I have used a brass hook rather than the more traditional iron one.  

 These are quite long at approx 20". The can be used as a drop spindle or held in the hand. They are traditional to Southern Austria, the Carinthia region.  

 A spindle used mainly in the Turkamen tribes of Asia minor. Unusual in having a solid whorl, It is often highly decorated .and frequently used by the men for spinning wool. 

 This spindle is designed on a style traditionally used in the eastern european countries. Hand crafted from sustainably sourced woods it is a fairly heavy spindle ideal for creating general yarn weights. Not usually a specific weight, often used as a supported spindle with a bowl. 

 These spindles are traditional to the northern area of Spain called Cantabria. Often they have hand carved whorls and can be very ornate. They have a spiral cut into the shaft to hold the yarn as it is spun. out this item

These spindles have a captive ring on the whorl which supposedly rattles (chac chac means rattle in the Quichua language) Usually made roughly in the local markets and either left plain, decorated with a bit of burning or using felt tips and anything else that is handy. Whilst I make mine on a lathe so they are perhaps a little more sophisticated I try and emulate the naïve look of the originals. 

These spindles are traditionally used in Scotland, particularly in the islands. They are 10" long and may be made of any type of wood. The example shown happens to be oak 

These can be made with or without the cross cut into the base. Please notify your choice when ordering

Spanish double-whorl-spindles with an iron hook at the tip. It comes from the province of Zaragoza. It is approx. 12"

 This type of spindle is mainly used for plying. 

 A one piece light weight spindle common to the Galica region of N W Spain. It measures approx. 10" (255mm) long and though it has no thread guide, hook etc, this could be added if required for a small fee. 

Alternative design for this spindle

 These spindles are often highly decorated on the whorl. The one here has some basic decoration but not to the standard often seen. With the solid whorl it is possibly a good spindle for plying as well as simply spinning. 

 In all my research these are always coloured in a dark paint or perhaps made from a dark wood. In line with this I have coloured this one a dark green and black but that can be altered to suit if someone wishes. It is a slender, lightweight spindle with a spherical solid whorl, usually used as an unsupported spindle. It measures approx. 13" (330mm) long 

 At first glance these look very similar to the Indian phangs but they are much more elaborate. They are stepped towards the bottom and have decoration on the intersection, in this case just a couple of beads. Decoration could be craved, texture etc. They are approx. 12"(305mm) long and are used as a support spindle., 

 These colourful spindle are one of the most slender ones. They are often painted usually red and green and have a small whorl that is more or less spherical. This one measures 11" (280mm) long. The colouring will  be in the same red and green colours but will vary from spindle to spindle as in the originals. Lightweight, they are ideal for spinning on the move  

 A traditional Mongolian spindle which is used much the same as the Navajo spindle, rolling on the thigh whilst seated. It is longer than most at approx. 20" long Instead of a hook The spindle has a small cross bar at the top end  

 Designed specifically for spinning silk this spindle, known as a Natalie, is a top spinner and will spin fast but not for a prolonged length of time. The wood(s) I use may vary from the one pictured but if required I am happy to send an image prior to postage for approval. 

This spindle is used traditionally sitting cross legged with one end on the floor. It is 30" long and the whorl is not fixed but jammed so that it can be put at either end giving a different spin. Not perhaps the normal style seen but a lovely traditional style of spinning. I can provide these in either plain wood or coloured. 

 These are spindles that date back to the 7th century in Peru. They are extremely light (the one pictured weighs just 13 grams) and usually made from simple sticks with perhaps a bit of decoration on the lightweight whorl. The whorl is more or less central on the shaft rather than towards one end. Traditionally they were made with a long thorn and a ceramic whorl. Mine are all wood.  

This is based on some research done by an anthropologist in Denmark. It can be made in several different sizes from 10" (255mm) upwards. The one displayed is 10". It has a solid whorl and is used as a top spindle with the thread guide cut into the top end. Spins well and probably a good spindle for general use.

NOTE: The price is for the 10" version longer ones would be more expensive.

Enquire first if longer is required

 This spindle is deliberately made to look older. The woods and materials used would have been very basic hence the 'iron' hook. This one is14.5" including the hook.  

 This is a style traditionally used in Ladakh, Northern India and is used in a supported fashion, traditionally by the men. They are usually hand carved so not an accurate weight but as I am turning them they are much smoother than the traditional ones. This can either be in a support bowl (sold separately) or by sitting crossed leg and supporting on the ground beside you. I make them an average size of 11" - 12"  (280-300mm) 

 This traditional spindle is a very simple shape but has the advantage of the spiral thread guide cut into the top as shown here. It measures 11" (285mm) long and is used traditionally as a supported spindle. 

 These spindles originate from the Bukovina region of Romania. They are very varied in size from 10" (255mm) to 15" (380mm) Often used with a distaff. The one here is made of oak though as I make these to order I cannot guarantee the one ordered will be the same wood 

 These spindles, also based on a Russian style are a little more refined and stylish. They are varied in weight depending on the wood used and tend to be lighter than the heavier coloured type. Used mainly when spinning shorter fibres.  

 Based on a style traditionally used in Russia, these spindles tend to be a little heavier at about 40 - 50gms and are ideal for general yarn spinning. Design may vary slightly from the displayed ones. 

 These are traditionally used by the Sasak People, Lombok Island, Approx. 10" long they are used as a traditional drop spindle. 

These are a standard bottom whorl spindle, ideal for general spinning. They are each made individually to order so the image is an example only. Weight will be between 25 - 35gms unless requested otherwise.

The image shows one with a hook in but this can be changed to having a slot, as in a crochet hook, or simply a plain shaft. Please state preference when ordering.

 This is a standard top whorl spindle, ideal for general spinning. It is hand crafted from local woods and will weigh between 25 - 35gms unless otherwise requested. The one shown has a hook but alternatively a slot (as in a crochet hook) or plain shaft can be provided instead. Please state preference on ordering. 

 This is perhaps one of the most decorative spindles I do at the moment. It originates in the Savoy region of France. The bottom whorl is hollow and carved making it a bit lighter than it at first looks. The one displayed is 10.5" long.  

 This spindle has a spiral cut into the top of the shaft to hold the yarn as it is spun. Similar in shape to the Portuguese spindle but heavier. Could be used for plying.  

 With the hook, it seems this is used as a drop spindle but I have yet to verify the purpose of three whorls. Perhaps the yarn is wound between two of them as it is spun but why the third I have yet to find out. This one is 14" long including the hook.  

 Apart from just cutting a piece from the hedge these are about as simple as you can get with spindles. They measure 12" long and are turned to less than 10mm thin. Very light weight and ideally used supported in a bowl.  

These are styled on the Tibetan spindles and are very light weight as the whorl is hollowed out. Used usually with a support bowl (sold separately) or supported on the ground or table, they are ideal for spinning silk or very fine yarns. Each is made from a suitable wood and unless otherwise requested will weigh between 10 and 18 grams.

 Used mainly as a supported spindle it is heavy enough to be used as a drop spindle with the yarn tied to the top. It is a very simple design like most eastern European spindles. This one is 13" long 

 These are top spindles and made to spin fast but not for a prolonged length of time. The style is based on a Victorian spindle that was designed for spinning silk. 

 These spindles are heavy at 50gms plus and are hand made according to researched shapes. Made from naturally stained oak or a darker wood they are perhaps more for the collector than the serious spinner. They are simiar in weight to the natalie spindles so perhaps could be used for spinning lace. 

 This is based on some archaeological finds and so is a replica not an exact copy. The whorl would originally be made of stone carved to shape whereas I am using a hard wood. It measures 11" (280mm) long and due to the shape of the shaft is fairly heavy though weight will also be dictated by the woods used. Perhaps one more for the collector and / or connoisseur than the dedicated spinner.  

 There seems to be some debate regarding how these spindles are used, supported, handheld, semi-suspended or suspended. The belly at the bottom of the spindle is used to store the spun yarn. This one has a spiralled groove but many just have a hook or nothing at all.Styles also vary tremendously. These are hand crafted according to a variety of vintage french styles including the ones shown here and are made from a hard wood. They are made to order and are 'antiqued' using natural stains and eff

This is basically the same as the other French spindles but has a spiral yarn guide cut into the top. The style of the spindle may vary a bit as there are so many different styles though they are all the same heavy bottom and lighter thinner top as in this one. 

 These spindles are from Highland Atoni Region, West Timor, and are used supported in small or large bowls. . The upper tips of the spindles (see details upper left) are occasionally formed into small, sometimes decorative carved knobs. These knobs suggest that these spindles can also be used as drop spindles. They are approx. 10" long.,  

 Used with support spindles such as the Takili, Russian spindles, phangs etc, these little bowls are approx. 3" diameter but can be made bigger or smaller if so required. The wood used may not be the same as the spindles if ordered together unless specified by the purchaser. The bowl is made so that it tapers inside to keep the spindle in place