How to Drop Spindle 20 Handspun Yarns

New to drop spindling? Watch a preview of the 20 spindling spinning yarn methods and educational format I offer in my SINGLE masterclass video series to preview what you will be...

Before we get into the 20 textured methods in my SPINDLING Masterclass, let's take an introductory look at drop spindling for beginners who have never spun before. In this tutorial my friend Sarah and I will show you how to prepare and use wool roving (or wool top) to spin into a single ply yarn.

Before we get into the 20 textured methods in my SPINDLING Masterclass, let's take an introductory look at drop spindling for beginners who have never spun before. In this tutorial my friend Sarah and I will show you how to prepare and use an art batt (or carded wool) to spin into a single ply yarn. 

Before we get into the 20 textured methods in my SPINDLING Masterclass, let's take an introductory look at drop spindling for beginners who have never spun before. In this tutorial my friend Sarah and I will show you how to prepare and use wool locks to spin into a single ply yarn. 

Before we get into the 20 textured methods in my SPINDLING Masterclass, let's take an introductory look at drop spindling for beginners who have never spun before. In this tutorial my friend Sarah and I will show you how to prepare and use a rolag to spin into a single ply yarn. 

Welcome to the SPINDLING Masterclass where my friend Sarah and I (both self-taught) translate my spinning wheel methods to drop spindle. In this method we will be taking an assortment of fibers from my stash and using our hands to prepare them for spinning a single-ply yarn from hand picked (not carded) wool. This creates a unique, organic, raw yarn texture that is beautiful when used in textiles.

In this single-ply drop spindling method we will be taking an assortment of locks from my stash and using our hands to prepare them for spinning a single-ply yarn. This creates a curly, bulky, raw yarn texture that is beautiful when used as a single ply or plied yarn. Plying this yarn with thread is one of my favorite textures to spin! 

Is it possible to create an "auto-wrap" or "wrapped" texture while drop spindling? Yes, if you are comfortable with adjusting your spindling angles! In this method we will experiment with different types of threads and fiber to create yarns that are wrapped with a thread texture for knitting, weaving, or crochet. As in all my SPINDLING method videos, I will be spinning this technique on a large spindle, and Sarah (a self-taught technical spinner) will be on a smaller spindle.

Let's spin some thick and thin yarn on a drop spindle! We will experiment with different fiber preps (top, roving, art batts) to create thick-and-thin slubs in yarn that are beautiful when plied with thread. I will teach you how to create slubs that are secure (won't fall apart when pulled) with different fiber preps. This video is a pre-requisite for the SPINDLING "shelled" method on my Masterclass.

In this fun and whimsical method we will be drop spindling and adding "puffs" of different textures of fiber as we drop spindle yarn to create a nontraditional thick-and-thin method that is gorgeous when woven into freeform textiles or used in freeform knitting or crochet. This is a fun way to celebrate all your favorite colors or textures in one yarn. This video is a pre-requisite to the method "knotted" with is next in the SPINDLING series.

This alternative "thick and thin" method for spinning art yarn on a drop spindle also helps add extra security when embellishing your yarns with locks or short staple length fibers. In this method, Sarah and I will play with an art batt to create floral inspired buds on our yarn while we drop spindle.

Let's play with texture and color blocking! In this stash busting method, Sarah and I will create a single-ply handspun yarn with an array of colors from wools in my stash. This is a fun way to spin a self-striping or ombre yarn. In this tutorial we will practice and master how to attach broken ends of yarn together while drop spindling.

Another fun and whimsical way to create a thick-and-thin texture while drop spindling! I also have this method available in my SINGLE series. In this video Sarah and I will create braids in our yarn while we drop spindle. Braided yarns are especially fun for using in freeform crochet.

This delicate fuzzy texture of yarn is spun by breaking the rules! My favorite part of this video is Sarah's shocked face when I begin prepping fiber for creating this fuzzy technique. This yarn texture cannot be soaked to set (it will matt the fuzzy halo) but is beautiful when used in woven wall art and freeform textile making. Steam to set after spinning. Plying with thread is also a great way to soft-set this yarn.

Let's break some more rules of technical spinning to unlock some fun new textures of yarn as we drop spindle! In this stretchy textured yarn we will be creating a coily curly texture without plying! I've used this texture as warp in my weavings to create a smoked effect, and have used it as weft to create a gathered ruffles in the finished cloth.

It's time to start plying with our drop spindled yarns! Methods 1-10 are for spinning a single-ply yarn on a drop spindle, and methods 11-20 are for plying yarns on a drop spindle. In this introductory method we will be plying two yarns together to create a traditional 2-ply. Try different textures of yarn to achieve different results!

In this fun plying with a drop spindle method we will be spinning a self-striping yarn while plying with thread at the same time! This is a great stashbuster project where every yard of yarn is different than the yard before. Try using this method with different weights and colors of yarn. This video is a pre-requisite for the other thread plying videos I have in the SPINDLING series. Happy Spindling!

The most popular drop spindling plying method in my masterclass series! Otherwise known as "coiled" in this drop spindling video we will be learning how to take a thick and thin yarn and ply it with thread to create coils. The secret: it's all in the angles! I recommend an over-twisted single ply yarn to start so that your plied yarn is extra secure as it is being coiled.