Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Respect the Spindle


Over the last 5 days, I have come to respect the spindle.
Last week, I suddenly became obsessed with spindles - something I had never cared about before.
First, I finally realized what they were (I have seen them hanging in yarn shops, but ignored them because I didn't really know what they were/how they worked).
They are simple, handheld tools for hand spinning fiber.
Then I read online how to use one (google searched it) because I was too embarrassed to try in the store AND I was at work, so I had to be virtual.
Then I wanted to get my hands on one and try out this ancient, women's skill...but I was still at work :(
After work I walked over to the cool U District fiber store, Weaving Works, tried one out (using my recent google knowledge) and realized no one at the store really knew how to use a hand spindle either. I also found out the nice ones are very beautiful and expensive.
Then I read online (searched 'how to make a spindle') that you can easily make one with a wooden toy wheel and wooden dowel or even with a pencil and CD's (If you were babysitting or something...?)
I figured I should make one for my birthday, and have a great present for under $5.
You have to remember the original spindles were sticks and balls of clay, so you don't need to be fancy.

Here's how I did it:

wheel, dowel, brass cup hook

and here is what I spun:

the cotton fluff from the vitamin bottle!!!
hahahahhahaha!

I saw this intriguing book called Respect the Spindle. It has beautiful photos of spindles both new and antique from all over the world. Very cool.


Here is a great link to interesting photos of women spinning all over the world.

3 comments:

Briana said...

woa! that's funny and so cool you could do that. I'm also glad to see you've added another skill for the apocalypse preparations.

Tree Peeps said...

HAHAHAHAHA!
I know! I have lots of those kind of skills!
I said the same thing to Adam, as I was sitting there spinning the vitamin fluff. I said, "let's just count this as a new survival skill."
:)

ashmae said...

tess, I feel like we should talk about some things! For the past year or so I've been super into wool and dyeing, carding, etc... I even bought a spindle but haven't used it yet. Hope you're doing well!