Drop spindle spinning is one of the oldest and most portable ways to make yarn. This guide covers everything a complete beginner needs to get started — from choosing a spindle to spinning your first yarn.
What Is Drop Spindle Spinning?
Drop spindle spinning uses a weighted tool to add twist to fiber, turning it into yarn. The spindle hangs freely as it spins, using gravity to help draft the fiber. It's a simple, meditative craft that requires very little equipment to begin.
Choosing a Spindle
See my Turkish drop spindle beginner guide for a full overview of the tool. For a comparison of spindle styles, see my guide on Turkish drop spindles vs other drop spindles. Browse my handmade Turkish drop spindles to find the right size.
Attaching Leader Yarn
Before spinning, you need a leader yarn on the spindle. Learn how to attach leader yarn to a drop spindle to get set up correctly.
Choosing Fiber
The right fiber makes learning much easier. See my guide on the best fibers for drop spindle spinning to choose a beginner-friendly starting material.
Drafting Fiber
Drafting is the core skill of spinning. Learn about drafting fiber for drop spindle spinning to understand how to control yarn thickness.
Winding Yarn onto the Spindle
As yarn forms, wind it onto the spindle. See my guide on winding yarn on a Turkish drop spindle for step-by-step instructions.
Park and Draft Method
The park and draft method is the easiest way for beginners to learn. See my park and draft spinning guide for a complete walkthrough.
Fiber Preparation
Well-prepared fiber drafts far more smoothly. My wool combs and wool hackles help produce consistent fiber that is much easier to spin. Learn more about choosing the right wool combs for fiber preparation.
Controlling Yarn Thickness
Learn how to control yarn thickness on a drop spindle as your technique develops.
Troubleshooting
See my guide on common drop spindle problems and how to fix them for solutions to the most frequent beginner issues.
Spindle Weight
Spindle weight affects how long the spindle spins and what yarn weights it handles best. See my drop spindle weight guide for a full breakdown.
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