In the past, I’ve blogged about settling on fiber equipment. Much of what I have are replacements of items I bought and didn’t like for one reason or another and sold to try a different style, maker, etc. It would be nice if you could have a trial period, but other than buying samples of needles, it doesn’t work that way. Sometimes it is just because I realize that I don’t really need 2 of these, or three of those, or the size is too small/too large/too light/too heavy. Most fiber equipment holds it’s value well if taken care of. Over the years, I settled on carbon fiber interchangeable knitting needles with sharp metal points, hand carders because I don’t process a lot of my fiber unless I am doing living history, a giant antique walking wheel just because it is gorgeous and functional, a small spinning wheel that belonged to a good friend who passed away, and a few small looms of various styles. The objects that have come and gone the most are hand spindles, the way I learned to spin. I have a couple for living history demonstrations, but my day to day love are Jenkins hand crafted Turkish spindles. But even here, I have been fickle because again, I wanted to try most of the sizes and because they vary in weight from tiny and light, my smallest is 2.5″ diameter and weighs only 7.1 gram (1/4 ounce) and they go up in size and weight from there. I have found the sizes that best suit my style, my weight preference, and ones that I love the wood grain and color. The tiny one is called a Kuchulu, it is made of Black and White Ebony, the grain is stunning and it looks so interesting spinning. It is small enough to fit in a tiny tea tin with fiber tucked in the small bag it is photographed on to carry with me whenever we leave the house.
The next one up in size is only 3.5″ and weighs only 8.79 grams. It is a Finch, made of Olive wood, and it flies. It is small enough to put in a pint plastic ice cream container and also take with me if I wish, but it generally is my go to spindle and remains by my chair in the wooden bowl with the fiber that is my main project at the time. All of the purple and ruby reds are a Shetland wool blended with Bombyx. It is spinning fine and even and is going to make a huge skein of very lightweight yarn.
The last in my flock is a Carob wood Aegean. It is my newest spindle and the heaviest. With a 5″ diameter, it weighs 20.85 grams (almost 3/4 ounce.) It is heavier than I want to use for everyday spinning, but is a good size and weight for plying.
At times, I have had more than this, sometimes two of a particular spindle type, then I will realize that I have my favorites and someone in the online group will post they are in search of a particular style and I am a sucker and have sent several spindles off either in trade, how I got the Aegean, or by selling. I have even shared a few spindles with others who were wanting to learn to spin. I love the three I have and will continue to spin with them as long as I am able.
Recently, my cousin posted this to my Facebook page. I would love to create something similar with the center two panels saying “She took up her spindles and breathed a while to the rhythm of the spin and lengthening of the yarn…”
Stay safe and find something that soothes your soul.