Fall 2019 • Spin Off 37
As a group, Tibetan spindles are recognized for their
sustained and balanced spin, which is advantageous to
the beginning support spindler. However, they become
heavier and harder to spin as the cop of spun yarn grows.a category to a limited extent. Some makers create their
own styles, which are spin-offs of an existing style.Tibetan Spindles
This is a loose term for spindle styles that originated
from the Tibetan region. They are traditionally used
to spin yak, goat, and sheep fibers. In Tibet, there are
several different styles of supported spindles intended
for use with different fibers.Above top: A few of Sukrita’s Tibetan spindles. From top:
purse Tibetan, Dyavol, mini-Tibetan, and Dervish styles
from the Spindle Shop. Above: From left: Tibetan-style
spindle, takli, Russian-style spindle, and phang.Spindles: Timeless Technology
The handspindle is an ancient technology dat-
ing back to at least Neolithic times. Spindle
whorls continue to be unearthed in archaeolog-
ical digs around the world, and our understand-
ing of when and how textile tools were used by
the people that came before us evolves over
time. Both drop and supported spindles of all
kinds continue to enjoy a special place in the
hearts of many modern spinners.Supported spindles are still commonly used in
Central Asia, Russia, and parts of Europe such
as Bulgaria. Various styles of supported spin-
dles have long been an important textile tool in
parts of the world known for cotton production,
including Tibet, India, Africa, and Central and
South America.Terracotta Biconical Spindle-Whorl.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Period: Possibly Late Cypriot I–II
Date: circa 1600–1200 BC
Culture: Cypriot [Cyprus]
Medium: Terracotta; handmade
Dimensions: Height 1^5 / 8 inch (4.1 cm)
Accession Number: 74.51.941Photocourtesy^ of^ the^ MetropolitanMuseumofArt,^ open^ access