MasadaSpindle
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Expert Boarder
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The Kicker-Spindle - 2007/05/20 20:28
While teaching at a workshop several years ago, I took a walk around the grounds and came upon a mound of junk and at the edge was a small piece of wood approximately 2 1/2 -3" x 4", sun-dried and calling out to me. What did it want? It wanted to be a new spindle. But I didn't have equipment to shape it into a disc although I did have a cup hook in my room, but alas, no dowel. So, what was going to be with this little piece of wood? I returned to my room, screwed the hook into the center, pulled out some fibers and gave it a whirl from the corner. This little piece of wood was spinning perfectly, no wobbling and did a great job. But wait, would I have to bend over all the time to give it an extra turn to continue spinning? No way, I gave it a slight KICK with my foot and it happily continued spinning. What did I have here? A Kicker-Spindle! You can kick it at the corner as it turns and it will continue to spin and create twist in your yarn. AND, instead of bending over to pick it up when you have finished a full length of spun yarn, you can just jerk it upwards, catching it in your hand. Unhook the spun yarn, figure-8 the yarn over your fingers and then wrap it in two directions onto the Kicker. No cost...just a cup hook and great for kids wanting to learn spinning. Seriously...it works. Next time I'll write how to make a high-whorl Bedouin spindle that has been scaled down to suit fine wool and silk spinning. It has a unique feature that keeps it from falling to the floor for new spinners.
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