Wonderwoolwales      

Top/high whorl spindles

Woolfest

A spindle sometimes called a drop spindle is a wooden shaft weighted at one end with a circular whorl. It is used for spinning wool and other fibres into thread. Spindles or parts of them have been found in archaeological sites; they may represent one of the earliest pieces of technology available to humankind.

Modern spindles are typically available in high-whorl or low-whorl types. In a high-whorl spindle, the whorl sits very close to the top of the shaft, which is anywhere from 15-45cm long. A hook is placed on the top of the shaft to secure the developing yarn, and the newly spun yarn is wound around the shaft underneath the whorl. In a low-whorl spindle, the whorl sits near the bottom of the shaft. The newly spun yarn is wound around the shaft just above the whorl. If there is a hook at the upper end of the shaft, the yarn is spiral-wound up the shaft and caught in the hook; if there is no hook at the top, then the yarn is spiral-wound up the shaft and secured with a half hitch (or more, for slippery fibres) at the top. Some low whorl spindles are notched at the top of the shaft to keep the half hitch secured, although this is not necessary. An alternate method of securing the yarn involves passing it down over the edge of the whorl, around the bottom end of the shaft, and back up over the whorl to be secured with a half hitch at the top of the shaft. Other forms of spindles include supported spindles, such as the large Navajo spindle and the tiny cotton spinning tahkli. The spinning wheel is also used for the same purpose.

Spinner's weasel or clock reel  is a mechanical yarn measuring device consisting of a spoked wheel with an internal ratcheting mechanism that clicks every two revolutions and makes a "pop" sound after the desired length of yarn is measured.

Bottom/low whorl spindle

Many people have asked what the Banksia Nut is, I found that Banksia Grandis - to give its full name, is a large shrub to small tree (growing up to 9 metres) with huge yellow inflorescences. In the wild, it occurs from Mount Lesueur to Cape Leeuwin in South-Western Australian sand on the coastal plain, in woodland and heath. It is common in Laterite in the Jarrah forest of the Darling Plateau near Perth.

Banksia trees are characterised by leathery leaves and large candle-like spikes of yellow flowers.  Several of the Banksia species (most notably Bull Banksia’ (Banksia grandis) produce a very attractive timber with prominent rays in various shades of red.

With its beautiful rich colours and interesting grain,Jarrah remains one of the world’s most desirable and sought after hardwoods. The tree grows to a majestic 40 metres in height only in the south west corner of Western Australia.

A big thank you to all the people who supported me at Wonderwool Wales and the Woolfest hope to see you back next year.

  Check out my gallery for woods I have available 

 I now have Turkish drop spindles

in my online shop .