Drop Spindle for Beginners - Complete Tutorial

This tutorial covers everything you need to know to learn how to spin yarn using a drop spindle. Starting with an empty top whorl drop spindle, learn to attach a leader, add twist, draft fiber, ply, take the fiber off the spindle, and finally finish the yarn. I've included lots of troubleshooting tips to help you spin your best yarn!

✨Get started with this deluxe drop spindle starter kit (fiber included!) from the Woolery. (affiliate)

✨ Find your perfect drop spindle at the Woolery! (affiliate)

☕ If you would like to help support my content, you can buy me a floof of fiber!

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Time Stamps
0:00 INTRODUCTION
1:30 ATTACH A LEADER
2:15 ADD TWIST
3:09 DRAFT
4:18 TROUBLESHOOT
11:28 MY FIRST HANDSPUN PROJECT
12:25 CENTER PULL BALL
13:34 PLY
16:10 FINISH THE YARN

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🎵 Music in this video is from the YouTube creative studio with permissions to include it in this video.

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Note: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer makes a purchase from the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support! All links to affiliates will be clearly marked.

[rutietu-]

Years ago. I was so poor and eager to learn spinning I made a drop spindle out of a whittled stick and a plastic drink lid and tape. Wasn't pretty, but it worked! You do not have to spend lots of money to spin (though i love my spinning wheel now) and you can create beautiful yarns all the same. Drop Spindles are so wonderful!

[solitarymischief]

I followed this tutorial from beginning to end as a first time spinner- literally my first skein of yarn from a bag of (free, of course) raw wool that I decided I was going to process myself. This made the spinning feel so easy! I am now the proud owner of a skein of really crappy yarn (seriously I'm so proud), and this video made it frustration-free. Thank you Jillian! I look forward to getting more practice. Because I'm such a first timer, I did make the small substitution of using a plastic tupperware lid to wind my single-ply yarn onto and then again as a makeshift niddy noddy, but now that I've completed my first project I'll probably invest in both to make my life easier.

[AmandaS-simh]

Very recently my ADHD told me that I need to learn all things about making thread/ yarn/ weaving. So far, these videos have been the best at explaining the what's and the why's. And the videos are so charming and engaging I'm doing one or zero things while I'm watching.

[ronnetteharvey]

This video was an accident. I didn't even know this sort of thing existed. I live near miles and miles of cotton fields. Bails fall off of trucks and I never stopped because I never knew this was possible. I love cotton. And I would love to make my own yarn!!!! Thank you!!!!

[caraamethyst]

the only spinning video i've watched where you actually explain what to do with your yarn after it's spun!! thank you!!

[jessicakennedy]

I love your tutorials 💜
Just aquired a small flock of Icelandic sheep...restoring my grandmother s
Québec production wheel. You've inspired me.
The way you convey information is easy and clear...you are a fantastic teacher. Thank you.

[emmar]

I’ve watched so many tutorials on spinning, but yours is the only one that made the whole process make enough sense that I feel like I can jump in and try it. Thank you so much for this great video!

[Saffirance]

I met my best friend while she was spinning wool with a drop spindle. She taught me how to do it and this skill has blessed my life. It's great to have skills. What fun!

[katjakatt]

I gave up after no more than 3 seconds years ago because one one mentioned the park and draft thing to start off. Thank you so much for this tutorial!

[dancingcolorsVdeRegil]

Wow, lovely tutorial! Way back when I was in art school, my most challenging class was "fiber and dye" which ought to have been worth 6 credits not just 3. But anyway, we learned about all (most) fibers, had to learn to spin w a drop spindle, and a spinning wheel, we also had to learn all the dye methods and materials, from the most industrial to the most natural, and dye, spin, and create things with the yarn!! It was actually thrilling! I did make yarn for a couple years afterwards, but when I gave the spinning wheel to the person who'd lent one to me, a friend made me an amazing and huge drop spindle of wood. hand turned the wheel and everything. I'm so happy to see the yarn that people are making now, so much wonderful stuff and I just love having found your channel, you are such a good teacher!

[saraspencer]

I have been knitting for over 20 years, and have just recently discovered how amazing it is to work with unspun wool. Your video is so helpful, and it also fills my heart with a ridiculous amount of joy to see your face light up when talking about your passion. I don't think I can wait to buy a spindle anymore after watching this, so I might be creating my own tonight. Thank you!!

[dianapulido]

I just watched your video because I bought a beginner drop spindle kit. Their institutions were a little confusing and they didn't tell you what to do after you spun your single. They did tell you to watch videos to learn how to use it. The written instructions were confusing because I had no idea what they were talking about. I feel more confident to try now. If I had tried after reading they're instructions and had succeeded I would have ended up with a single ply yarn on the spindle and no idea what to do next.

[lucylindeman]

Thank you so much for explaining how to ply!

[candycoatedcactus]

Not letting the twist up into the drafting area is where I was getting hung up. Thank you SO much for making this tutorial!

[jinxydoll]

Spinning is my newest hyper fixation... I've been binge watching spinning videos. This is mesmerizing and I cannot wait to try it.

[abigailrichard]

I loved hearing about your first spindle experience and how it was a self-made piece. I first learned how to knit on pencils because we didn't have any needles and my mom needed to find something to keep me entertained on long days! 15 years later and I love knitting more than ever! Your videos are so approachable and inviting and really are making me want to try my hand at spinning. With this tutorial, maybe I will!

[pamelalangridge]

Gasp, I'm spinning!! I watched a bunch of your videos, tried it out, and it worked! I used an old wooden spoon and some mixed-breed wool in fluoro safety orange (so I wouldn't get precious about it). Now I have some (lumpy) yarn. So satisfying! 😃

[psammophile]

Hallelujah for a beginning to end video! Thank you so much. You make it seem achievable for a complete newbie! I have my first spindle and roving arriving in the mail soon and I am SO excited to get started. Fingers crossed that I’ll have a decent ball of yarn to present to my mum for her birthday in Feb! With your help I think it’s achievable! ❤️

[MrsAChery]

I want to get into spinning and starting with a spindle seems…a responsible way to start ($$$ otherwise!) I was so worried about how plying would work on a spindle. It’s much easier than I thought! Thank you.

[jaydeebee]

Thank you so much! I'm writing a short story about a literal spinster, and I was looking for a crash course in drop spindles. You not only set me straight immediately, but now I kind of want to spin my own yarn XD