Top Whorl Drop Spindle - Walnut, Maple & White Oak - 45g
🇺🇸
Handmade in USA
♻️
Eco-Conscious
📦
Free Ship Over $35
✓
Since 2012
Satisfaction Guarantee & Returns
100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
We stand behind the quality of our handmade tools. If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, contact us within 30 days for a return or exchange.
All products are crafted with care in Spokane, WA and built to last a lifetime.
Shipping
Free shipping on all domestic orders over $35
Orders are processed quickly and ship from Spokane, WA. Most orders ship within 1-2 business days.
Manufacturing
Every piece is handmade with care in Spokane, Washington since 2013.
We use premium hardwoods and eco-conscious finishes to create heirloom-quality fiber tools built to last a lifetime. Each tool is carefully crafted in small batches with attention to detail and a commitment to sustainability.
All materials are sourced responsibly and finished with food-safe, non-toxic oils.
This handmade top whorl drop spindle is lightweight, beautifully balanced, and perfect for spinning fine yarns. Ideal for laceweight, fingering-weight, and delicate fibers, this spindle offers smooth rotation and exceptional control for creating high-quality handspun yarn.
Key Features:
- ✓ Handmade from premium Walnut, Maple & White Oak — Ethically sourced hardwoods
- ✓ Lightweight at approximately 45g — Perfect for fine, delicate yarns
- ✓ Approximately 9.25" (23.5cm) long
- ✓ Approximately 2" (5cm) whorl diameter
- ✓ Smooth, consistent spin — Balanced for even twist
- ✓ Adjustable hook — Semi-malleable for custom placement
- ✓ Heirloom quality — Meticulously crafted for perfect balance
- ✓ Eco-friendly Danish oil finish — Smooth, silk-like feel
- ✓ Precision-turned on center — Re-chucked multiple times for accuracy
- ✓ Unique aesthetic features — Eye-catching design
Why Choose a Top Whorl Drop Spindle?
Top whorl drop spindles are excellent for spinning fine fibers like silk, cashmere, merino, and other delicate materials into laceweight or fingering-weight yarns. The lightweight design provides smooth, controlled rotation, making it easier to maintain consistent twist. The whorl positioned at the top creates a stable spin and allows for excellent control while drafting fiber.
Specifications:
- Whorl: Walnut, Maple & White Oak, approximately 2" (5cm) diameter
- Shaft: Maple, approximately 9.25" (23.5cm) long
- Weight: Approximately 45 grams
- Finish: Hand-rubbed Danish oil or Maloof blend
How to Use Your Top Whorl Drop Spindle:
Attach a leader yarn to the hook at the top of the shaft. Draft fiber from your roving, rolag, or batt and join it to the leader. Give the spindle a clockwise or counterclockwise spin (depending on your desired twist direction) and let it hang freely while you draft more fiber. The weight of the whorl at the top provides momentum for a smooth, consistent spin. Wind your spun yarn onto the shaft as you go, building up your skein.
Craftsmanship & Materials:
Each spindle is individually handcrafted from ethically sourced domestic and tropical hardwoods. I laminate various exotic or tropical hardwoods with domestically grown hardwoods and softwoods, then drill a precision hole for the shaft to about .005" tolerance. The shaft is permanently glued into the whorl, and the entire spindle is turned completely on center — re-chucked multiple times to ensure perfect balance. The hook is glued in and semi-malleable (bendable), so if you're not happy with its placement, it can be adjusted. Each spindle is finished with eco-friendly Danish oil or a Maloof blend (1/3 each mineral spirits, boiled linseed oil, and tung oil), hand-rubbed to a smooth, shiny finish.
Important Notes:
Wood grain and color may vary slightly from photos, as each spindle is individually handcrafted. Your spindle will match the wood species listed in the title. I reuse packaging materials when possible to reduce costs and environmental impact.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this or any of my products, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m always here to answer questions and give advice or tips on any of my products and their uses. I typically respond within five minutes, which I believe is extremely important in building rapport, credibility, and getting to know you as a customer.
Proudly Made in America
Thank you so much for considering my shop.
General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) Information
- Intended Use: Designed for spinning fiber into yarn. Handcrafted tool for fiber artists of all skill levels.
- Age Restrictions: Suitable for adult use. Not recommended for children under 12 due to small parts and potential choking hazards.
- Potential Hazards: Contains a semi-malleable hook that may pose a choking risk if removed or swallowed. Handle with care to avoid accidental drops or damage. Hook is adjustable but should be handled carefully to avoid injury.
- Usage Instructions: Ensure hook is securely attached before use. Handle with care to maintain balance and functionality. Store in a dry environment to prevent warping.
- Disposal Instructions: Dispose of responsibly according to local wood recycling guidelines. Wood components may be recyclable or compostable depending on local regulations.
Riley Wood and Fiber Art
Spokane, WA 99217
Frequently Asked Questions — Top Whorl Drop Spindle
What is a top whorl drop spindle?
A top whorl spindle has the whorl positioned at the top of the shaft, near the hook. This placement creates a longer, more stable spin and excellent drafting control — a classic design favored by hand spinners worldwide.
What fibers and yarn weights work best?
These spindles are lighter weight and best suited for fine to laceweight spinning — merino, cashmere, silk blends, fine BFL, and other luxury fibers. Some spindles in the lineup carry a bit more weight and can handle sport to DK weight yarns as well.
How is this spindle made?
Each spindle is handcrafted in Spokane, WA from premium hardwoods, laminated and turned multiple times to ensure true concentricity for a smooth, wobble-free spin.
Is this good for beginner spinners?
Top whorl spindles are a great starting point — the long spin time gives you plenty of drafting time between wind-ons, making them forgiving for new spinners working with fine fiber.