How to Spin Yarn with a Drop Spindle!

Here are various links and timestamps you may find helpful -

Basic info - 02:53
Creating a leader - 10:15
Preparing your Fiber - 13:26
Beginning to Spin - 21:52
Alternative view - 33:49
Transferring from spindle to spool - 38:57
Attaching new Fiber together - 41:46

And BREATHE! 😊

The Woolery -

Paradise Fibers -

Please feel free to check out my etsy store at -
& my other channel "Fiber Spider Games" at -

Hello yarnivores and spiderettes! I recently acquired a new post office box if you would like to drop me a line or what have you 😊

Fiber Spider
P.O. Box 654
Ridge, NY 11961

Please specify if what you send may be opened on camera (last names & addresses will be omitted) or if you wish for it to remain private.

[karenr]

In my opinion, this is one of the better tutorials available for beginning to spin with drop spindles. I especially like your way of storing the singles until you're ready to do something with them. Thank you for all the work you put into recording this. <3

[willowmallow]

Brilliant video- thank you! Just the right amount of detail and very well explained. Love the new technical term ‘fooff’. 😂 😊

[chriscrosscrafter]

Sometimes the best teachers are the people who are just learning it themselves. So many times I’ve seen experienced teachers fail because they assume the student is more knowledgeable than they are. You’re so clear and easy to understand. Thank you!

[mariekorol]

You made me smile the entire tutorial. What a great instructor you are . I love your sense of humor, and I especially love the facial expressions. Thank you so much for being you and for all your help

[trishbresolin]

BEST tutorial on YouTube! Believe me, I've watched them all, and this is the best for absolute beginners!!

[susancushley]

You are an excellent teacher and an inspiration for all of us and as far as you expressions while dividing the yarn, I’m seventy-two and you’ll be amazed at the things you’ll do if you live this long.

[gwennandenise]

I am a beginner Drop spindler and I have just had a Great Leap Forward as a result of your vid! Thank you so much. The key part was the detail of what you do with your finger pinching at the drafting zone. It was so helpful, thank you so much!

[marjorieblaschko]

I've watched lots of other videos. Wish I saw this first. As a beginner... this was by far the best. You also go at the perfect pace for someone trying to follow along. Thank you!

[barbaracanning]

I have been trying to master spinning with a drop spindle with a lot of frustration. Your video cleared up so much for me. I now feel like I understand what is supposed to happen and I am ready to give it a more successful attempt. Your a great teacher! Thank you 😊

[mitchellanderson]

Dear Spidey: I agree with the person who said that a more mature teacher (in years of acquiring skill) often neglects to cover things that are obvious to a skilled spinner but #$!^# to a new spinner! You are the only tutorial that addressed the kinking up of newly twisted yarn before it got wraped onto the drop spindle ... I was worried that I was kinking my yarn too much and then.. magically you reassured me! You slower delivery also meant I could follow along with you. Thank you so much. It will prepare me for going into my upcoming 
spinning group!

[sarahchh]

I loved watching but homeschool a 5 year old. I barely have time to stitch. That being said, this is going in a file so I can revisit at a more convenient time in my life. 💜

[judylittle]

Please do more spin tutorials. You always make things so clear. ❤️

[myrany]

I had to smile at your Pink Roving. When I first started spinning years ago I tried to dye Roving Red. After many many tries I ended up with about 3 POUNDS of Pink Roving. I just couldn't get it to dye red. I quite literally perfected my drop spindle technique with pink roving. :)


One thing I might suggest you talk about a little bit in future videos is that there are many different weights of drop spindles and that it might take a little experimentation to find the weight that works best for you personally and the type of fiber you are using. When I first started I really struggled because the spindle was just too heavy for me. Once I switched to a smaller lighter spindle things really took off for me. I have very tiny hands a big spindle like you are using just does not work for me. It is a good base point to start with though for many people.

[freda]

I thought that you had patience with instructing a pattern, but this takes the patience of a saint to do this.

[rachelstrahan]

I decided to buy the spindle and 8 oz of wool after watching this tutorial. I look forward to you making some more, thank you so much. My mom used to always say "It's easy when you know how" about various things and now I know how. 🙂

[lorelebeverland]

I had no idea it took so much work to produce yarn. I have a new respect for spinners.

[lwk]

Oh my gosh! This video - I have been practicing before seeing this - my drop spindle technique was like yours, my pre drafting, like yours. And this video affirms I am on the right path! I was frustrated by trying to join and you showed me! Then storage before setting the twist which makes sense but I had never heard of. How to join two preexisting lengths how to consider that I will ply and thinking about that.
Thank you so much!! A treasure trove and I know it’s 4 years old - wish you all the best and will watch more of your content.

[MyDanann]

I am so tickled that I found you on YouTube! I have a drop spindle and NEVER could figure out how the heck to use it! Thank you a million times! I'm going to give it a go, as I have some fibers as well in my stash of wool and what knots! I now have subscribed and can't wait to see learn more. You are my new best friend.

[dorapyffer]

YES YES YES !!! WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT FROM BEGINNING TO END ..WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU CROCHET SOMETHING WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL YARN YOU ARE SPINNING ...

[KarinMurati]

Wow, the first time I see how to spin wool using a drop spindle. I am sitting here with my mouth opened. What a fantastic and relaxing hobby. I am very impressed. WOW, again.