40 Spin Off • http://www.interweave.com
suspect that this may be partly due to my spinning
style, as I much prefer a longer-spinning spindle in
general. In this experiment, it felt to me as though the
yak practically spun itself on the Tibetan, whereas it
had a less natural feel when spun with the Russian.
This might be different with yak down in a less
organized preparation.Perfect pairing: Polwarth wool and phang.Wool
There is a reason why spinners love wool—it’s a delight
to spin on all kinds of support spindles. I love pairing
wool with a Russian spindle or phang with a short
spin time. The twist can be easily controlled, and the
spinning is rhythmic and relaxing.
On the Russian spindle, I spun Tasmanian
Corriedale combed top over the fold; the process was
enjoyable and effortless. This spin was instrumental in
helping me fall in love with Russian spindles, as I have
struggled in the past with the short spin time.
On the Goddess phang, I spun natural-colored
Polwarth from Tarndie, another joyful experience. The
squat, bulging nature of this spindle means that it has a
slightly longer spin time than the Russian. Wool spun
from the fold is a great pairing for these spindles, which
become more balanced the more fiber is packed onto
the spindle’s waist. The longer spin time makes for a
relaxing experience; this spindle wants to spin.Conclusion & Findings
Tibetan spindles, in my experience, are the most
versatile class of support spindle. I have found them to
be a very accessible starting point into support spinning.
The variety of Tibetan spindles on the market today
means that there is probably a style perfectly suited to
you and to your fiber of choice.
In my search for fiber pairings, I found wool to
be the most versatile fiber with the spindle styles I
explored. The phangs, and particularly the Goddess, are
graceful and beginner friendly, capable of spinning any
kind of wool or wool blends. However, specific pairings,
such as a takli with cotton, are extremely satisfying.
There is a wide world of support spindles out
there, and I have only gone a short way on my
journey exploring them. I look forward to many more
discoveries and inspirations to come. ●Resources
Cotton Australia, http://www.cottonaustralia.com.au/cotton
-library/fact-sheets/world-cotton-historySukrita Mahon fell in love with spinning three years ago
and has been an active member of the spinning and
knitting community in Sydney, Australia, and the Central
Coast ever since. Her current obsessions are with natural-
colored fleece and, of course, spindles. She enjoys
sourdough baking and, when the weather is right, she likes
to go on mushroom exploration walks. You can find her on
Instagram @su.krita and on Ravelry as sukrita.