Drop Spindle Class

Since ancient times, people have made yarn using hand-held spindles. Used all over the world in one form or another, this craft is the basis for almost all textile creation. At once, a way to connect with ancient methods and a meditative art form, today spinning with a hand spindle is a simple, easy-to-learn craft for making your own yarns.

In this class, we will learn to spin yarn using a top-whorl drop spindle. Using wool sourced from local farmers, we’ll learn how to both spin and ply using simple tools. Along the way, we’ll discuss some history of spinning yarn, the different forms that hand spindles are made and used around the world, and resources for further learning. And, even if you don’t take up spinning as part of your yarn crafting, you’ll gain very useful information about the characteristics of yarn and how they affect the success of your project.

Class is two sessions, with homework in between. In addition to the class fee, purchase of a class kit ($30) is required, paid to the teacher on the first day of class. Kit includes a drop spindle, at least 4 oz of fiber, handouts, and links to video support. Other optional materials will be discussed in the first session to bring for the second session.