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stupaj
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Posts: 9

Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/15 08:12 I have been spinning for years with wheels and bottom whorl spindles...I was just gifted with a beautiful handmade top whorl spindle and am not getting the hang of it...Do I use it like a bottom whorl only upside down? Do I twist it against my leg like a Navajo spindle? Help.

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Diane

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Platinum Boarder

Posts: 72

Re:Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/16 02:23 Stupaj, you should be able to just turn it over and use it as a low-whorl spindle if this is what you prefer. Just spiral the yarn up the shaft and make a half hitch at the top to hold it in place there.

To use it high-whorl bring the yarn over the whorl from the shaft - often there is a notch somewhere around the edge of the whorl for the yarn to sit in - and through the hook. You can roll the shaft up your thigh to set it spinning but I have always preferred to spin the shaft at the bottom with my fingers. www.kurrajonghandcrafts.com

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stupaj
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Junior Boarder

Posts: 9

Re:Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/16 08:24 Thanks Diane....I tried it as a bottom whorl but it wobbled so much that I reverted to top whorl..I thought that top whorls were suppose to have a longer spin time then bottom whorls, but this is not the case with this spindle, very short spin time. Could that be from the way I have the yarn wrapped on the shaft? It is by the whorl about 1/3 up the shaft and I don't have much on it yet. I am happy to have a challenge, but at the same time I am a bit frustrated because the spin time is so short.

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Diane

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Re:Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/16 17:07 I'm not a spindle expert but I believe spin-time generally has more to do with whorl shape and balance than whether it's high or low.

My best spindle is equally long-spinning whichever way up. www.kurrajonghandcrafts.com

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GrannieAnnie06

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Re:Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/18 17:20 I use a top whorl exclusively... What I do, if it slows down too quickly, is 'kick start' it with my feet. For me, it works better if I have shoes on.

The other thing that I do is 'reel' the single on up and down the spindle... it seems to keep it spinning more evenly, and... it's easier to take the yarn off the spindle. I just hold the whorl with the spindle pointed at my ball winder, and wind from the spindle into a ball. The 'reel' unwinds easily, just like a reel of thread in a sewing machine...

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stupaj
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Posts: 9

Re:Top whorl spindle - 2007/06/19 07:36 Interesting! Can I assume your using both feet to kick start it? I like that it keeps your hand free, will give it a shot...and thanks for the great tip with the ball winder!

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