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It's that time again...time to chatter away about one of my favorite tools and get the quick & dirty, knitty gritty on the subject.
This month (as you've noticed) is all about spinning, so naturally this post is all about the drop spindle.
This month (as you've noticed) is all about spinning, so naturally this post is all about the drop spindle.
So first off, I keep mentioning spinning and drop spindles, you've heard me talk about plying, drafting and honestly if you're not in the know you're likely thoroughly lost by now. If you haven't gotten a chance go back and read my post that is all about Spinning. It will introduce you to the terminology and all that other need to know info along with some cool other tidbits.
Suffice it to say there are two tools you can use to spin, the drop spindle or the spinning wheel. I love the drop spindle because it's got the ultimate portability. They come in two main styles top whorl and bottom whorl. Robin of The Dancing Goats makes both kinds, but the ones I have and that interest me most are the top whorl.
While I hunted about the internet for spindles and even *gasp* made my own (warning - not the prettiest thing I've ever made!) when I buy tools I have to love them. Honestly a good tool is worth good money and while I searched and found plenty of different spindles across the net for a wide range of prices (from $12.00 to nearly $100.00) I was instantly in love with these when I first laid my eyes on them...
Suffice it to say there are two tools you can use to spin, the drop spindle or the spinning wheel. I love the drop spindle because it's got the ultimate portability. They come in two main styles top whorl and bottom whorl. Robin of The Dancing Goats makes both kinds, but the ones I have and that interest me most are the top whorl.
While I hunted about the internet for spindles and even *gasp* made my own (warning - not the prettiest thing I've ever made!) when I buy tools I have to love them. Honestly a good tool is worth good money and while I searched and found plenty of different spindles across the net for a wide range of prices (from $12.00 to nearly $100.00) I was instantly in love with these when I first laid my eyes on them...
Aren't they just gorgeous?!
Each spindle is made from reclaimed wood, which gives each one a unique flavor to it you just cannot produce with a mass manufactured tool. They're all perfectly balanced so there's no worry of wibble-wobble which can be a problem if you make your own too. What's more is that each and every one has a character and personality to it that is just utterly alluring (at least to me).
What I absolutely cannot get over though is the fact that they are so incredibly beautiful with fantastic prices at the same time! In my shopping I found many a spindle but with very few exceptions they all rather resembled one another. Given the fact that it's a rather simple tool it still was a little disheartening and honestly it's what kept me from buying one to begin with. Why would I pay good money for something I can easily have made functionally and not even at a quarter of the price?
All bets were off when I saw these though. I was sold and there was no turning back and they were in fact a bit of a birthday present to myself. All of that aside the hands down selling point for me even considering all of this wonderful information was the range of weights. As I mention in my earlier post the spindle weight determines how thick (and how much) a yarn you can spin. Heavier ones are good for bulky weights and plying. They're also handy if you're spinning a large amount of fiber at once as well.
What I absolutely cannot get over though is the fact that they are so incredibly beautiful with fantastic prices at the same time! In my shopping I found many a spindle but with very few exceptions they all rather resembled one another. Given the fact that it's a rather simple tool it still was a little disheartening and honestly it's what kept me from buying one to begin with. Why would I pay good money for something I can easily have made functionally and not even at a quarter of the price?
All bets were off when I saw these though. I was sold and there was no turning back and they were in fact a bit of a birthday present to myself. All of that aside the hands down selling point for me even considering all of this wonderful information was the range of weights. As I mention in my earlier post the spindle weight determines how thick (and how much) a yarn you can spin. Heavier ones are good for bulky weights and plying. They're also handy if you're spinning a large amount of fiber at once as well.
This baby weighed in a whopping 4.9 oz, perfect for heavier yarns & plying.
So now you know - The Dancing Goats is my go-to for spindles and if you're looking for a one of a kind spindle (or spinning accessory) made with heart and passion you must visit this shop! I give my full recommendation on Robin's work and I can't wait till I can add a bottom whorl & distaff to my collection!
So share with me in the comments below - Was this review helpful? What did you think of Robin's work? Will you consider shopping at The Dancing Goats for your next spinning tool purchase? If you are new to the blog be sure to connect with me via social media and hop on the newsletter for my extra special updates!
So share with me in the comments below - Was this review helpful? What did you think of Robin's work? Will you consider shopping at The Dancing Goats for your next spinning tool purchase? If you are new to the blog be sure to connect with me via social media and hop on the newsletter for my extra special updates!
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