Spinning Yarn with a Kick Spindle

[@SusieQ3]

"Each thing is it's own tool" thank you for saying that. My wonderful, amazing, creative and handy husband made me a beautiful e-spinner with some 150+ year old oak he got from a friend who took down an old barn. I love it! It's beautiful and it spins fluff into yarn like a dream! However, he got offended when I bought a drop spindle because "I made you an e-spinner". "Do you use the table saw to make every cut? No. Sometimes you use a jig saw. Sometimes you use a finishing (hand) saw. A drop spindle won't replace the e-spinner. It's just a different tool." Plus, we were on an RV trip, hundreds of miles from home (and the e-spinner), at a little local museum, and they were selling the spindle and an ounce of locally sourced wool, already combed for $10. A travel project, and support small, local businesses? It was a no brainer.

[@crackedantagonist]

Had no idea kick spindles existed, I’m a beginner spinner who has been looking for a more and space effective option that I can still use while recovering from top surgery! Thank you so much for making this video and taking us all through the pros and cons, this was so fun to learn about and I’m hoping it’ll be a good match for my spinning style!

[@JillianEve]

Wishing you a speedy recovery! 💖

[@davidcanatella4279]

I was thinking if you anchor this kind of spindle somehow you would be able to put tension on the yarn

[@TheTypewriterError]

I appreciate your comment about Spindles and Spinning Wheels not being a progression from beginner to expert, but rather individual tools with their own purposes. I've gone to mostly spinning on wheels but the motions you do when drop spindling are so different that it almost doesn't feel like the same process. For me my wheel is when I want to get a lot of yarn done, my spindles is for when I want to dwell on the spinning process itself.

[@lespelotesderika]

The mnemonic to link clockwise/counterclockwise to S and Z is brilliant! I won’t struggle with this anymore! Thank you very much 😊

[@macstabby_j]

I'm always a fan of a good mnemonic, and this one is amazing!

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

Well that's a fascinating little contraption, love that it's effectively got a flywheel. Feels like something I'd want to bolt or peg to a heavy base though. Maybe something I could hold down with the other foot. Now I'm contemplating if I can make one out of crap I've got around the house... and bam, she has another hobby...

[@K0HAKU_97]

The slow-mo zoom in was very helpful for me, someone who has never spun anything, to understand the physics of the process

[@jsmxwll]

neat video. a friend of mine uses kick spindles while sitting on an exercise ball. she says it's a heck of a core workout.

[@JillianEve]

🤯💪

[@Nebulouslystarlight]

🎶Just keep kicking, just keep kicking, kicking kicking kicking kicking🎶

[@catzkeet4860]

A floor supported spindle(navajo spindle) is great for heavier weight yarns. Dineh spinners/weavers used it to produce yarns for rug weaving. These are often spun in the worsted style... you roll the spindle several times to build up your twist, while pinching off the twist, and drawing out an arms length of fleece, then allow it to run up, pinch off and wind on, repeat. Sorry if that's incomprehensible lol, it's much easier to do than describe lol. Right now, I'm itching to get my floor spindle out, but I recently moved to a place with all hard floors, so I can't use the floor spindle without a floor rug to give it some friction, and I don't have one lol. So for now I'm just using my little Turkish spindle to finish up my carded alpaca so I can finish my cowl. I'd love to get my antique wheel out but I still haven't replaced the conrod joint cos I can't get the screws that fastened the original in(around 90 years ago!!!) out, in order to replace it, and I don't want to damage her. If anyone has any ideas about that, please share.

[@CarrieMtn]

I also have a hip spindle. I have used a bowl to sit it in, but a cheap throw rug or blanket on the floor would work too. They are fun tools. Good luck with your old wheel- I have no advice 😊

[@WantedVisual]

If you don't have a rug... Do you have a towel folded a few times? I don't know how much they move around... Stuck screw solutions tend to be applying gratuitous amounts of lubricant, getting (metal) screws very hot or very cold, or drilling them out, plugging the hole and putting in a new one, with a new screw. If it's stuck with hide glue--heat it up. If it's stuck with wood glue--that's water soluble. Don't try anything that feels iffy on your own, unless you're a skilled woodworker. If you're not, call around furniture restoration businesses and explain the problem--they've probably got some tricks up their sleeve.

[@TSUNAMI-MAMI]

Sounds amazing!!!

[@pickingupsticks6767]

Not a spinner but it’s always a pleasure to listen to a master. Thank you.

[@The_double_ewe]

I have 2 kick spindles ! I love them and made the discovery it can be a helpful tool for people with mobility issues to enjoy spinning. I found it works nicely on a table with a push of a hand. Which was a game changer for a friend to enjoy spinning with out the ability to treadle. I’d also like to add i put eyelet holes in my apron so I could hold my ply ball in my pockets 😂

[@mariepla1370]

I made a kick spindle, and I found out the same thing you have. I made a thicker yarn. But I liked it.

[@gabriellenancipierotti4194]

I prefer spindles with hooks for one reason, there's a little bit of a wobble when the tip doesn't have a hook and the wobble bothers me.

[@marcireale]

The part with the ball bearings as weights is the flywheel. I have a True Creations portable kick spindle. It folds flat and has a heavy flywheel. Really love it.

[@maryreeves1554]

I have a TC kick wheel too. LOVE IT!!

[@JillianEve]

Where were you when I was recording and struggling to find the word? Yes, it's a flywheel!

[@daniellebissonnette3304]

I started spinning 3 weeks ago, on a drop spindle. I had wanted to learn to spin for a few years, and now that I am retired, I finally have the time to learn this wonderful art. I have been thinking of getting a kick spindle for quite some time, they seem so cool! Your videos are excellent and helping me fast-track through the terminology, concepts, tools, etc. Thank you for another wonderful video.

[@madcricket7042]

I've used kick spindles, and I found that you need a nice heavy base on it. It makes it easier to spin and wind on and off. Enjoy, it's a fun way to spin!

[@isabellalucia7820]

Could you attach it to something that runs under your chair or other foot? Sort of like a cello spike?

[@nblmqst1167]

Kick wheels always remind me of the Penguin Quill spinning wheel that I tried out in the 70s. I loved it, but couldn't afford one at the time. (all I could afford then was my drop spindle) I do not prefer hooks on any quill or spindle. Hooks tend to get in the way and/or bent.

[@winniefu6421]

Omgggggg i would love a kick spindle!

[@erintroxler9851]

Definitely a hook. Even when using Turkish support spindles. It really gives me the confidence to know my yarn will stay where I want it to. I e also used another technique by adding a small black rubber ring to hold the yarn at the tip that way it will never slip past the tip. That’s the only way I enjoy using support spindles which is the only type of spindle I enjoy. I did move on and save up for what I could afford and now never use a spindle at all. My EEW 6 is so much more productive for the production I needed. Keeping up with my daily tapestry weaving requires a lot of fine yarn.

[@dvorak920289]

Evie, thanks for another interesting spinning video! Personally, my preferable spinning tool is the spinning wheel. Would you consider experimenting and making a video about in-hand spinning with a distaff and spindle, like they do in the Balkans?

[@maryreeves1554]

I have a kick spindle that was made by Jim at True Creations. Your broken kick spindle looks similar, might have been an earlier model ?? I love my kick spindle. I can spin 8ounces as a single, take it off, spin another 8 and then ply them together (16ounces!!) And the spindle holds it all

[@unrightist]

Only thing it makes me think of outside of modern invention is what has been called "Navajo spindle" which is a large supported spindle that's set on the floor/ground. Don't think they use their foot and it looks more like a typical spindle. Pointing the spindle to the side like that and spinning off the tip, isn't that how old wheels worked before the modern kind with bobbins? Like it was literally a spindle driven by a drive wheel and that's the whole thing. DODEC uses the spindle setup but is treadle operated.

[@nghtguy13]

Also, I would suggest maybe mounting it on a sheet of plywood or maybe put some weight discs in the bottom of the spindle holder. I bet plywood would be best though. So you could rest your other foot on the plywood while you're putting pressure on it whole drafting :D

[@kitdubhran2968]

I generally prefer using the taper top spindles. I use a supported spindle almost exactly like I’ve seen the Navajo spindle used, just smaller. I always always spin the same direction. Which means, I spin Z when I use a hooked drop spindle, and s when I use a supported spindle. So generally I spin on a supported spindle, and then use a drop spindle to ply so I’m going the opposite direction. I know you *can* spin both directions on either spindle. But my adhd muscle memory always end up going the wrong direction if I try to drop spin then drop ply. 😂

[@jenniferbrighty5120]

Hi Evie, I hope you're OK xx ❣️❣️❣️🌼 Thankyou so much for sharing this video podcast on Spinning with a Kick Spindle. I haven't seen a Kick Spindle of that design before. Gosh that Batt was the most amazing and beautiful thing I've ever seen. 🌟🌞 The Handspun Yarn from this Batt looks amazing and beautiful too. Hope you have a Wonderful Weekend 🌞☀️ Happy Spinning Fibre Friend 🎡🐑🥰🌞 Take care and stay safe Lots of love and Big Hugs to you, Mark and your Boys Jen xxxx ❤️❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂🫂🐕🐈‍⬛🌼

[@victoriajankowski1197]

I think some sort of platform to 'step on it' with your other foot might help with the weight issue, just a thought

[@carlacrazymom]

I see a wooly warm hat for the winter months. It is beautiful! Thanks for showing us how to use the kick spindle.

[@deborahconrad2540]

Thank you so much. You are a wealth of knowledge. You are very helpful and I know I can trust your advice.

[@starrlady4254]

This reminds me of the old walking wheels. It really is the same concept. A lot of modern day spinners use a straw to keep the cob on, but that spindle is quite a bit thicker

[@linr8260]

Yessssss sparkles. A good decorating choice.

[@LLMraz]

After seeing this video I HAD to have a kick spindle! The one you have was not available but I found another kind on Etsy. I love it! I usually spin on a home-built great wheel (bicycle parts!) so I'm already used to the long draw. The kick spindle is so small & portable in comparison, fits in a shoe box in a totebag with the fiber, almost as convenient as a drop spindle. To answer your question, I'm used to a tapered spindle, with a felt quill. My home-build wheels use knitting needles as spindles and they're too slippery to use without a felt covering. I even substituted a size 13 knitting needle in the kick spindle!

[@sarahgamson8828]

I was told to spin singles in z and ply in s, I remembered it as right foot down first on my kiwi 2 for singles and left foot down first for plying. Now I mostly spin on my electric eel wheels so it's just a switch to press 🙂

[@courtneyolmsted5353]

Love your Darn Tough socks! Thank you for supporting VT!

[@raysunshine830]

I like that bulky skein you kicked out of that batt! I like a tapered end spindle. I love my Turkish spindle. I have been looking at this item on Etsy for about a year.

[@kywire._]

THANK YOU as always Evie!!!! You are so thoughtful and detailed in your analysis and explanation of tools and techniques. I have been curious about kick spindles for a while, and you answered questions I didn't even know I had! PS, I wanted to tell you that I went to Ecuador recently and was hoping I would be able to see a spinner at work. I was lucky enough to find a woman spinning on a spindle at an artisan shop near El Mitad del Mundo; it was a bottom-whorl spindle with a plain pointed shaft, and she was spinning it horizontally while holding it from beneath the whorl in her right hand -- releasing wool into the spin using only her left hand, like a supported spindle. AND she had a beautifully-dressed distaff!!!! It was wonderful to see and talk to her. I was traveling with a bridal party (not for me, my friend is the bride!), and one of the bridesmaids is from Ecuador; I was later showing her the spinning project I had on my top-whorl spindle, and we explored the drop style as well as the horizontal style we saw at El Mitad del Mundo. It was her first time spinning, and she gravitated more towards the Ecuadorian horizontal style than the drop style! I'm still getting used to supported spinning and using pointed shafts rather than cup hooks, but I thought the horizontal way was fun too. :~)

[@MissMeganBeckett]

That one is really cool, it’s been on my Etsy wish list for a few years now.

[@madelineellingson2897]

This is what I got as my first spindle! I still haven't gotten any other spindles yet, but I definitely want to try a turkish spindle.

[@catzkeet4860]

Turkish spindles are fun and very portable, especially if you have a little one. And don't be fooled by size...... A little Turkish spindle can spin a lot of fibre because the kop is wrapped in a set pattern so is efficiently packed. Bigger ones are also fun, but I'm in love with my little one.

[@cherylfeather9408]

It took me years to try a Tukish spindle, I fell in love & now I have several sizes of them. Also have a kick spindle, don't use it much as it bothers my knee.

[@dessyedeeclark1144]

I really like how you explain the mechanics and take time to consider engineering aspects of the tools you are testing. This lofty yarn would be nice for a weft faced weaving project too.

[@cherylfeather9408]

I only use spindles with a spiral tip, pointed tip, or a knob. I just couldn't get used to a hook, it always in the way.

[@CarrieCraftGeek]

I am so intrigued by this. I admit my efforts at drop spindles has been ... less than great. But I want to try this do badly now.

[@dwade1367]

Your Amazing 💖 So much knowledge, skill and patience. I'm an old knitter, yet never had the opportunity to learn spinning. Love your podcasts. Stay Creative 💕

[@hermellygirl]

a better design uses a longer dowel section below the whorl, and THAT is where you put your foot to spin the spindle. a wheel designed like this is essentially like (the kind in your video) if you were hitting the side of the whorl of a drop spindle to spin it. using the dowel under the whorl to spin is a smaller motion, using less energy, less wear and tear on your knee joint, and spins the whorl faster so you can do a wider range of spinning (finer or higher twist) without having to kick over and over and over. i made my own and did both the "kick the whorl" type and the "roll the shaft" type, and the "kick the whorl" type was just so bothersome. spinning off the tip is definitely preferable to me. (i don't even like hooks on drop spindles)

[@vane_lao]

First time seeing a spindle like this and it seems great! Reminds me of the spinning wheels without a flyer, but this one is much more compact, what is awesome for us who have a limited space to work. I imagined one of these made of MDF... an accessible option to us, spinners 🤩

[@nghtguy13]

I love bat spinning 🥰😍🥰😍 this makes me happpyyyy

[@HungryOrca]

I was looking at kick spindles a few years ago before I got my wheel, and I don’t think this version was available at that time or I definitely would have bought it!

[@isabellalucia7820]

Top whorl spindles for me so I can admire the pretty woodworking, with the excel of one tiny Turkish that fits in my pocket so I don’t have to worry about breakage in my backpack. I usually palm the spindle along my inner thigh for far more spin and less aches than a flick. I crisscross my yarn up and down the spindle so that it comes off in a nice neat ‘ball’ that doesn’t require winding. Not sure if there’s a step I’m missing by not winding, but it seems to work for me.

[@CarrieMtn]

Wow. Looks like a great combination of a hip spindle and a spinning wheel. I hope to try it some day. Thanks

[@ginnied7346]

You could hook it to the floor or the hearth stone of the fire place, that's if you needed too

[@BananaPantsChannel]

At one point while you were holding the spindle with yarn on it I thought “that is one weird looking microscope”

[@IG88isevil]

So glad you plyed it….thought you were gonna end up with one Hulk leg!….✂️🐑🧶

[@JillianEve]

😂😂😂

[@AnimeShinigami13]

i prefer a drop spindle with a hook. but an interesting alternative for a support spindle is to use an old knitting needle as your distaff if you have an odd needle and you lost the match to it you can reuse it for something rather than throwing it away. And you can attach a leader under the little "head" where they print the needle size and use the yarn stop instead of a hook. I've also found I prefer to use homemade spindles in the first place because if you break it replacement parts are as easy as walking down the street to the hardware store. I tend to step on and break distaffs by mistake because I'm a pretty cluttered person. So making my own saves me a lot of money and effort in finding replacement parts. I wouldn't mind trying out one of these though, they look like good leg exercise.

[@aliaungst1174]

Great video. Perfect for anyone trying this tool. Solid amount of information.

[@judithsmith9319]

Very similar to spinning on a great wheel

[@kitdubhran2968]

Prefer taper tip spindles supported. I spin with the base on my leg, the couch, a chair, my skirt, my pockets. Literally anywhere. And since I usually spin with a snap motion, it’s often z twist. So then I use a hook drop spindle to ply, and the same motion on the bottom of the spindle will make an s ply. :)

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Nice new tool, thanks for the demo !

[@MsLadyhorse]

Hi, Evie!! I has a question for ya. How did the ancestors "spin in the grease" to make waterproof material for capes, cloaks, jackets, gloves, ect...? Everything I can find says specifically "Never put raw wool on this tool." I get it, lanolin makes the tools sticky, dirty, yuck and the tool has to be drastically deep cleaned after a raw wool use. But if that's the case, and I'm damaging my tools to make a lanolin rich water proof yarn for a hooded cloak, what other option is there? How was this done?

[@systlin2596]

You can do it. Source; have done it I do clean my tools after with mild soap and warm water to get the gunk off and it's all good.

[@gigartina]

That’s really cool! I’ve wondered how kickspindles work. I’ve never used a spindle with a hook, so i can’t comment on which i prefer. I find spindles really hard for some reason, so mostly use a wheel. Hm: maybe i should try a hook-tipped spindle

[@bonnie5601]

This has been so interesting. Thank you for demonstrating

[@melaniehellum1281]

That's a cool little thing.

[@shmendy]

Would you recommend the kick for travel instead of a wheel?

[@kimilini4814]

The first video I saw of yours was the fabric you made with the first box, loving that this is the follow up from the first Wild Wool as my second video! Thank you for testing and playing with this tool and sharing your thoughts :)

[@josiejose]

I was one of the people who requested a video about kick spindles! Thanks! I wonder whether weighting the frame with a soup can or bean bag would give you more to pull against.

[@JillianEve]

🎉 I'm so glad you did!

[@feltlikeitbydebs]

This looks like so much fun. Thanks for sharing difference tools. Love your videos as always and enjoy learning new stuff. ❤

[@ragathnor326]

Thank you for this video. It's lovely as all you videos are.

[@bElLyBuTtOnLiNt47]

we have the same socks lol

[@wookori]

A couple of things you like a lot about this spindle right off the batt? Hehehe.

[@JillianEve]

😁😁😁

[@hookthatyarn]

I wonder if you could add a hook to the tip of the dowel rod for more control? That is the coolest contraption!!!! So portable you could totally put it in a nice study bag and spin in a park. I love how cool it looks.

[@JillianEve]

You absolutely could! I plan to spin at the park with this 💯!

[@hookthatyarn]

@@JillianEve that’s going to be lovely. In Medieval garm???? 👀👀👀 lol that would be so awesome 👏.

[@brendalarue4690]

I use mine to ply art yarn 😁

[@cherylstraub5970]

What would be the best type of spindle to spin thread off of?

[@mindyalbright4491]

Spinning off the tip is quicker. The hook slows you down just a little bit. Other than that, I don't really care. I have been looking at that spindle, and think I would fasten it to a heavier base to help stablize it, as well as attaching rubber tips or shelf liner on the bottom of the base. (Or go for the much more expensive brand which I won't mention by brand.)

[@stripeycrayons]

Hi, I recently found your channel and have been binge-watching your lovely videos! I have a question for you: have you encountered/do you ever use the Andean plying method (also known as Andean plying bracelet) for creating two ply from the same bobbin? I find it useful for small amounts, but if I wind too much around my wrist, I find it cuts off my circulation 😅 . Do you think that this method would change the twist in the same way a center-pull ball does? Thanks again for the great videos, happy spinning!

[@cyndidaves5313]

Yes, I would like to attend a “live” video of yours. I am retired, so I am very flexible.

[@jeanlee1911]

it kind of looks like what potters used to kick spin the pottery wheels? maybe it was a spinner watching a potter?

[@judithtaylor6916]

Being a spinner, tried a drop spindle and found it slow and cumbersome. But the kick spindle appears good. Is it faster to spin?

[@JillianEve]

It was for me, but I imagine the learning curve will depend on overall experience. I probably picked it up at a quick pace to start with because I spin a lot anyway. ☺️

[@deborahspins2909]

Hi Evie! In my 40 years of spinning I always heard that how you wind your yarn on any spindle is called a cop. I think you are calling it a cob. It really doesn’t matter but you are so historical that I thought maybe I have been doing it wrong for 40 years 😊

[@JillianEve]

It's a cop, you're correct ☺️

[@katrinascrochethookandloops]

New subscriber to your channel love your video's thank you for sharing all your goodies with us all.

[@slhughes1267]

I'm thinking that this spindle operates the same way as a great Wheel, just missing the wheel portion.

[@chyhart]

Are these good for making a bulky /chunky yarn? What I wanted was a weighted blanket and did thy bandwagon thing and bought roving and hand felted it then arm knitted it into a heavy blanket.. So heavy It gives me claustrophobic feelings. Then my dog tried to burrow in it and now a corner is shredded. If like to save this fiber, but would rather spin a thicker yarn and currently looking at different kinds of spinners That won't break my bank.

[@craftdesigneditsleeprepeat5624]

That particular kick spindle seems shorter than others I have seen. Since you seem to understand the physics better than I do, would a longer spindle tend to make a thinner yarn more easily because the tip would spin more times per turn of the whorl?

[@JillianEve]

A longer shaft would fit more yarn, but the key to thinner yarn is more twist, and happens at the spot you do the kicking.

[@helenwebb2154]

I'm new to learning spinning. I have a basic , beginner spindle. Question: can I use the wool from Hobby Lobby that is for felting ? It seems kinda not easy to draft. Thank you.

[@nedap6587]

I practice spinning with the showstopper yarn from Hobby Lobby. It has so little twist, I have no problem drafting it.

[@cathibeastevenson634]

Felting wool may be compressed together, it needs to be refluffed, carded, combed. A blending board, hackel, carder [roller or hand cards], wool combs. Hackles & combs need special care, they are many sharp pointed things very close to each other. Be sure tetnus immunization is up to date if you use the combs or hackle

[@nicodianime]

Did you say "Scalped" edging or Scalloped edging??

[@davidcanatella4279]

Anchor the spindle or weigh it down so you can pull

[@lizadams7662]

It's scalloped. Did you explain the advantage of the scalloping?

[@alisonhenry820]

She did. She said the scallops help your foot to find purchase and spin the wheel more easily

[@eleonoramarree]

why the music in the background

[@runtsgal]

Looks like you get a workout while spinning with a kick spindle.

[@Meredith36]

💚🌷🪻💚