A Tale of Two Spindles: Top-Whorl vs. Bottom-Whorl

When looking broadly at the history of spinning the spinning wheel is a rather recent invention. The first appearance of the spinning wheel dates back to 11th century Asia. Before the spinning wheel became the tool of choice, most spinners used hand spindles, also known as drop spindles. Today I will look at two popular types of drop spindles: top-whorl and bottom-whorl.

Both spindles range on the inexpensive side, between $10.00 to $20.00. This makes them an ideal choice for first time spinners. The basic difference between the two is that the top-whorl has the whorl at the top near the hook. The bottom-whorl has the whorl at the bottom of the shaft away from the hook. 

When you spin on a top-whorl your fiber will be in constant contact with the whorl and the finished fiber will collect on the shaft below the whorl.

When you spin on a bottom-whorl your fiber will not be in contact with the whorl and the finished fiber will collect on the shaft below the hook and above the whorl.

Top-Whorl Spindle

Is one spindle inherently better than the other? The short answer is no. Both spindles make great yarn, but spinners tend to prefer one over the other. My personal favourite is the bottom-whorl as I find that I can spin at a quicker pace on it compared to my top-whorl. I also find that I have greater room for error on my bottom whorl, so I have to pay close attention to what I am doing until I get into a rhythm.

Tip of the Day: I recommend trying out both spindles to see which one works best for you. Also pay attention to the weight of the spindle when making a purchase. 2 to 3 ounce spindles is a good starter point for first time spinners.

Any more questions about drop spindles? Send me an e-mail at northerndelightsfiberart@gmail.com and continue following the blog for more posts about drop spindles!