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Spindolyns.....FAQ
( Be
sure and read the instruction sheet enclosed with your Spindolyn)
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Help, I lost my Instructions!
Here
you go!
Spindolyn Instruction Sheet
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What type of yarn or spinning are the Spindolyns best suited for?
Depending on the whorl style, a variety of
yarns from fine to medium. Because it does not drop and you can slow it down or speed it up to your own pace, it is very suitable for spinning very even yarns, and for controlling the amount of twist. To add more twist to the length of yarn you have just spun, you simply give the spindolyn another spin before winding on.
The spindolyn is not a
super fast production spinner. It is, however, a very relaxing and
easy to control way of spinning.
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Is the
Spindolyn different from spinning on a drop spindle?
Yes and No. The spindolyn is a semi support spindle. On a
supported spindle such as the spindolyn, tahkli, or the kind
of spindle that rides in a bowl, you draft away from the
spin by moving your fiber hand upward, always upward, away
from the newly spun yarn. On a drop spindle, gravity is
pulling the yarn down, away from you as a spin. The drafting
technique you choose to use is the same, however.
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How do I wind off of the spindolyn?
Wind your newly spun yarn off the spindolyn shaft the same way that you wound on, with the spindolyn
riding in its base and the yarn held out perpendicular to
the shaft, near the whorl.
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How do I care for the spindolyn?
Keep yarn and dust off of the shaft below the whorl, lest it get into the tube and slow down the spin. Occasionally put a drop of light spinning or sewing machine oil inside the brass tube.
If something does get inside the tube, you can fish it out
with a pipe cleaner.
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How do I tell if my
spindolyn is interchangeable with current
spindle and base styles?
The newer models all have an
approximately 3 inch shaft below the whorl, and a 3 inch
deep tube. The older model spindolyns have an approximately
6 inch shaft and tube, and will not interchange.
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What happened to the other styles of Spindolyn?
As a semi-obsessed spinner and inventor, I am continuously experimenting and improving
the Spindolyn (and other unpublished spindle designs) Right
now, I am ecstatic over the performance of the new improved Spindolyns, and am actually making a dent in some of my fiber
stash with it, because I don't want to put it down.
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How are the "New and
Improved Spindolyns" Different?
- The ratio of height to weight has been changed,
giving a better balance for a longer smoother
spin.
- The over all height is shorter, giving better
clearance in low places such as autos, and also reducing
arm fatigue.
- A food grade rubber sheath for the shaft has been
added, that is more comfortable for the hands and give a
better, non-tangling base for yarn wind on.
- The density of the new rubber shaft improves balance
and actually increases yarn holding capacity.
- Two new base styles have been added that fit well
into a bean bag pouch.
About the bean bag "nest'
For a few years now I have
been thinking that a bean bag cover for the base would be the
ultimate way to go, solving the problems of skirt wearing, or ample
thighs, or odd positions. It was only recently (edit-ok this is now
an old statement) that I finally tried
it out setting the base inside a beanbag pouch and it is, imho, the dream way to spin.
The first free bean bag pattern can be found
here on my blog.
and now there is another one,here.
As time has gone by, more
spinners have shared their ideas with me about pouches, bags
and "nests" for their spindolyn. The creativity is amazing!
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