Basic Drop Spindle Tutorial

Hello friends! Welcome to my first tutorial video! These are very basic and meant for people who just want to have fun and enjoy themselves while doing something crafty.

If you haven't been brought here from my spinning packet, then welcome anyway! Hopefully this video will help anyone trying to learn to use a drop spindle in a very casual way.

***NEW WEBSITE!!: I finally made my own website for fiber art! No more Etsy! Yay!!****

Vocab:

Whorl - the weighted part of a drop spindle that helps it to spin. Also the spindle pulley that regulates the speed of a spinning wheel spindle.

Draft – the pulling out of fibers to allow only a certain amount of the fiber to twist into thread.

Drop spindle – (hand spindle) a stick with a weighted whorl that is used to twist fibers into thread.

Plying – winding two or more yarns together; must be done in the opposite direction to that in which they were spun.

Roving – long tubes of carded wool, produced by carding machines.

Keep in touch!
Twitter: @MegERisk
Instagram: Megan.Risk.Fiber.Art

[dsvance]

I have tried multiple times over several years to learn how to spin with a drop spindle. And nothing worked; I'd get so frustrated I'd feel like crying. Your lesson here showed me how to do it, and it works! I am spinning using a drop spindle! I'm doing it! Not only that, but after practicing awhile, I'm beginning to get the feel of how to make the thread as thick or thin and as spun as I prefer. Less tightly spun is softer.

Thank you thank you thank you for making and posting this video. I'm finally at the beginning of mastering a skill I've wanted to do for years. I'll be watching for more videos from you.

[flamemaster]

"If you're never satisfied, then you need to reevaluate life..." Perfect, I love it. Great video btw.

[robertabeyer]

"Pinch, draft, let go." After watching a jillion other videos this is the only one to explain that part of the process in a way that makes sense to me and that I can duplicate (sort of). THANK YOU!! This should be the #1 search result for drop spinning.

[Gertiecox]

Best quote "if you're never going to be satisfied, then you need to re-evaluate your life" haha. Best intro to Drop Spindles!

[shellywillig]

This is without a doubt the easiest to understand tutorial of how to spin that I have found so far (and I have watched a LOT of tutorials for this). Thank you, a thousand times, thank you.

[kirra]

You showing that you hold the BULK of the fiber and tug just a thin bit, has made it finally make sense. For whatever reason my brain thought I had to spin the whole chunk into the tiny twist you have, but this actually makes sense

[rebeccasmith]

Spent nearly an hour in tears on Bluprint trying to figure out a lesson before you taught me in 12 min, bless you

[SixxFootThree]

Megan, I was recently watching several documentaries about the 3000 year old Tarim Basin Mummies of western China and so they (archaeologists) were also featuring about how well their wool clothing had preserved on them and that they've found many wooden drop spindles at the burial dig sites and so afterwards I was curious as to just how those ancient people could make clothing from a simple hand spindle like the one you're using and now after watching your video I have a much better understanding of this and so a BIG '''thank you''' for producing these videos.

[okaminess]

Half of everyone is fascinated by the drop spindle. The other half wants to turn their dog hair into a rug.

[glacia]

Thanks for explaining something in 12 minutes that craftsy takes 4 hours to do. you are AWESOME!!!

[chrissy-]

"if you're never gonna be satisfied then you better reevaluate your life" 👏❤️😍 🥰

[RajKumar-zw]

Clean, straightforward, clear, practical demonstration of an age old process that started human beings on the path of civilization - spinning.

Just like agriculture, cooking and home building.

Excellent, high quality video.

[patrickscannell]

Seeing how the drop spindle works, its like I'm watching the workings of ancient tales in real life: this makes my life complete and meaningful.

[chrissytrammell]

This video got me started a few years ago. I stumbled across it today. After watching, I went to her store, got the little kit, and off I went. Best explanation I've seen.

Wait till you watch her other videos!

[alexandermitchell-schwartz]

Hey. Thanks for the great video. I've been sewing for ages but have been wanting to get into other aspects of textile production. The drop spindle seemed like a great place to start and you give really clear instructions.

[vicvicious]

And today I learnt that spinning without a leader yarn is totally possible! Seriously thank you!

[taylorstrouse]

You immediately clarified the issues I had with ancient greek spinning vs. wheel spinning (the only spinning I'd ever heard of). I want to add some knowledge to the painting I'm planning. You helped a lot! Thank you for being a knowledgeable spinner <3

[mammon]

wow, youtube is amazing. Saw this video again! I did this when I was at around highschool just to pass time as a hobby, seeing this now really is nostalgic.

[AedenAlvarezisamunchkin]

Hi Megan! I know it's been a year since this video was uploaded, but I really want to tell you that you are a great tutorialist! (I just made up a word). I am a knitter and crocheter and I love watching your videos cause you're an awesome person. Please don't stop showing yourself on youtube, cause we need tutorialists like you!

[ellenfriedlander]

So helpful! I appreciate the repetition of the terminology and your sense of humor!