Yarn Creation - From Stick and Stone to Spinning Wheel

Yarn is fibre under tension with a twist.

Yarn can be spun into a single strand, double, triple, quad, etc. and can be made of one or more fibres wool, cotton, linen, silk, exotic animals, dog hair, pineapple pulp, rose fibre, paper, the list is endless. As crafting with fibre becomes popular, the industry is growing experimenting with new blends and new methods to repurpose materials into fibres.

Historically, a batt (collection of prepared fibers) was spun by hand using a pointed stick and weighted stone. The combination of these tools is ideal due to their shape and weight, offering the ability to take speed and create a twist. In the case of spinning, these tools make for a slow but pleasant experience.

Wool Batt and hand-turned spindle and whorl by Hershey Fibre Arts.

Today many different systems of spinning exist which essentially replicate and develop on the base concept of twist under tension. Spinning wheels were first documented in the form of the great wheel, a wheel and pulley system which typically had a pointed spindle on the end. The spinner would create yarn by connecting the fiber to the end of the spindle and drafting to the weight chosen for the yarn. Drafting is the process of thinning out fiber so that the spindle can draw in and twist the fiber into yarn.

Regardless of what fiber you choose to spin, spinning yarn is a slow craft.

My favorite ways to spin yarn are Turkish Spindle, Supported Spindle, and Wheel Spun.

Home printed 3-D printed Turkish Spindle.

A Turkish spindle has two intertwined legs and a spindle shaft which suspends and crates yarn through the suspension and twist. My love for Turkish style is that the legs provide a built-in system of keeping the spun yarn together into a ready-made ball once spinning is complete. The momentum that builds in a Turkish allows even a new spinner to feel the building of yarn quickly.

It is similar to a drop spindle in that both spindles hang and twist with the balance of the base weight.

Two Spindles from Straddle Creek Spins

Supported Spindles reflect back to the concept stick and weight. Often made from wood with some form of a bulbous base, modern versions can be found with steel, titanium tips, or glass tips. The round bulbous base is the intended weight and can be carved of the wooden shaft or added as an ornament made of ceramic, glass, metal, wood or a vast choice of other materials.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing a supported spindle is not the ornamental beauty; although many due purchase them for this reason. A Spindle is made to spin, the accuracy of spin, lack of wobble and angle of balance when supported are the most crucial of points for yarn creation.

Both of these Spindle styles come in a wide range of materials. Most commonly these spindles are made of wood with some modifications in glass or metal.

Wheel spinning can be either manual or electric. Spinning yarn on a foot treadle system allows for a full-body gross motor experience. I highly value this experience and recommend it as a component of any yarn creation course. The many styles and varieties of current manual wheels is a blog post in and of itself; soon to come.

EEW nano electric spinning wheel

Currently, I am spinning on an electric wheel; the EEW nano. This tiny machine offers a speedy spin and is super easy to take on the go. The learning curve for this system is small, more of a transition if you understand the functions of a manual spinning system and accept the differences in take-up and tension with the electronic motor. I find the ability to manipulate the fiber and keep consistent increases in this spinning system.

The tools you use for yarn creation can become as enjoyable as creating the yarn itself. One thing is for sure, handspun yarn is nothing like commercial yarn. I hope you have the opportunity to experience this slow craft.