Spindle Success!
An update on the spindles, sorry no picture as I shipped them all off, so they are gone… Don’t foget to comment, and get entered in the contest for a prize at the end of the month! It will be valued at about $50 so it will be something nice!
I have solved the glue problem, useing a polyurethane glue, nice stuff by the way. And I have also solved the hook issue as well. I bought some heavy duty T pins, such as are used for upolstery or to hold fabrics on dress forms. VOILA! Non bending hooks, yet small enough to still look elegant. They don’t look quite as nice, but still look good, and I think they added strength will be worth the sacrifice in appearance. They will still shatter if dropped on a hard surface like concrete or tile. I can’t do anything about that 
So I have a few more to make to fill orders, and further refine the design. I could use a little help with preferences.
So far, people seem to prefer the colored stains.
Here are some questions you can answer for me…
WPI on the bottom or top?
High gloss or satin finish?
top or bottom whorl?
And finally, a little talk on the concept of “Out of the Box”. Generally speaking I am not a big adherant to the out of the box kind of creativity. Out of the box is an expression that indicates a new or totally unheard of design, technique or use of material. Personally, I think that in many forms, it’s pretty much all been done at some point or another. Some fella 2000 years ago probably made spindles, similar to the ones I am making now, only probably did a better job at it. That sums it up right there.
However, I think I may have actually come upon an idea that may not have been done, at least not commonly. It could be because it won’t spin correctly LOL. I’m going to try to make a double whorled spindle, with a top and bottome whorl, and see what happens. I am thinking that if you put a small whorl on top, and a larger whorl on the bottom, you would have a longer spinning, faster spinning spindle. I’ll have to see though. Still it’s an interesting idea, I’ll let you know how it works!
So I have four types of spindles in production. 30 - 40 grams on a 10.5 inch shaft for heavier yarns, 25-30 grams for medium to light yarns, 15 - 20 grams for lace yarns, and also some 15 - 20 for cottons, support spinning and ultra light yarns. Am I missing a size that would be desirable?
Sooo, I am finishing up this order, and will now be taking new orders. You can email me at allena at spindle and wheel dot com (all run together) if you would like to order a spindle. I can work with you one on one to find exactly what you want that way. Prices are $35 and this includes shipping charges. International orders will be slightly more, due to higher shipping costs.
Kate A. said,
September 26, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
As a recent convert to supported spindling (they’re what finally made it possible for me to spin…can’t do drop spindles, no-how), I advocate strongly for bottom-whorls. You’ve already got beauteous points on the bottom of the shaft, and with a bottom whorl they’d adapt wonderfully to supported spinning. And I love the colored stains…
Saralyn said,
September 26, 2007 @ 3:25 pm
I would be looking for a top-whorl spindle (I’m self-taught from Priscilla Gibson-Roberts’ book), and I think a satin finish is nice. Mind you, I’m getting ready for a move and up to my eyeballs in deadline knitting at the moment, so I won’t be ordering a spindle until at least January, but I wanted to put in my two cents. I think I’d like the WPI tool on the top of the top-whorl spindle so that it doesn’t get covered up by the wound-on singles when I’m spinning. Also, I especially like cool reds, red-violets, and purples.
Em said,
September 26, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
Some answers…
WPI on the bottom or top?
I’d say on bottom for low-whorl, on top for high-whorl. That way, the spindles don’t cover up the WIP tool, and the conscientious spinner can check his/her WIPs during the spinning to check for consistency! (Why didn’t i think of this before?)
High gloss or satin finish?
I’d go with satin finish, at least for top-whorls: just a little bit more ‘grippy’ to help singles from sliding off.
Top or bottom whorl?
Both!!
Gwen in Bowmanville said,
September 26, 2007 @ 7:01 pm
Hi there. I’m coming out of the woodwork (G) to add my two cents. Those spindles are very pretty. And I wouldn’t get too concerned about the drop-em-til-they-die testing. Yes, they are called DROP spindles, but most of us cringe at the sound of a spindle hitting the ground from a couple of feet onto a carpet, never mind ten feet onto concrete!
So, you had some questions, I believe?
WPI — close to the business end (I’m a top whorl girl myself, but bottom whorl has its uses) If it’s close to where the singles or plies are coming together, then I know I’d pay more attention and actually use it regularly.
Satin or High Gloss Finish — I bet high-gloss shows off the colours better. How well does the single hold on? If it’s grippy enough, I’d go with shiny! (My husband calls me a crow, cuz I get distracted by sparkly things.)
Top or Bottom Whorl — Well, as I said up above, there’s room for both in the world.
Cheers from the Greater Toronto Area!
Allena said,
September 26, 2007 @ 7:59 pm
When you guys talk about the singles holding on, do you mean when you initially wrap the leader on, or do you mean on the part that holds the hook? I didn’t think of that, they do slide off onto the hook but it doesn’t seem to affect the spinning. I’ll try roughing those places up and see if that helps.
Nikki said,
September 26, 2007 @ 10:26 pm
I’m not knowledgeable enough about spindles to help with the sizes or the WPI tool, but I like the colored stains, a satin finish and both top and bottom whorls.
Connie said,
September 27, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
I love the colored stains and satin finish would be my choice. I’ve only used top whorls and I think the WPI tool is a great idea (although I don’t really have and idea which end it should on). Your spindles are beautiful!