"Drop" spindles (more properly called "suspended" spindles http://abbysyarns.com) are simple tools used for creating yarn. Found in a massive range of sizes, styles and weights, they are extremely versatile and portable. Many modern spinners learn on spindles and move on to spinning wheels, which has fostered a common belief that spindles are a "beginner's" tool. This could not be futher from the truth. A practiced spindler can create as much yarn--in at least as much variety--as a wheel spinner.

Even today, there are indigenous cultures that use spindles in daily life. The Quechua people of Peru have whole communities where nearly every person spins from the time they are able to hold a spindle. Attempts to introduce the spinning wheel have failed due to the spindle's portability--necessary while following their herds on the steep Andean mountain sides. Quechua spindle techniques have been refined for generations. http://www.textilescusco.org/

"Respect the Spindle" by Abby Franquemont, which has just come out in November 2009, is a book dedicated strictly to spindle spinning and plying techniques. http://interweave.com

Spindles have been in use for nearly 20,000 years. The earliest spindles were simply hooked sticks that were rolled along the thigh to introduce twist into plant or animal fiber. However, this method was slow and became difficult as the stick filled with yarn. Then it was discovered that adding a weight to the stick allowed it to spin freely and larger amounts of yarn could be made at a time before having to wind it on. From that point on, the suspended spindle developed according to the needs of society in different geographic areas. http://www.amazon.com/Womens-Work-First-Years-Society/dp/0393313484 http://abbysyarns.com

It is interesting to note that spinning wheels have only been around for 1200 years at the most, while in Europe they only arrived about 600 years ago. That means that before then, all textiles were made from yarns spun on a spindle. Clothing, bedding, tents, drapery, and even sails all began as fiber being spun by hand. The sails of the Viking ships are an example of spindle-spun textiles.

Suspended spindles are generally found in two forms:

High whorl: The whorl is located in the top third of the shaft. The spun yarn is wound under the whorl for storage while spinning. There is often a hook or notch that the yarn passes around to secure it while spinning. Most people who are introduced to spinning nowadays use this type of spindle. It looks somewhat like a child's toy top. These are often called top-whorl spindles.

Low whorl: The whorl is located in the bottom third of the shaft. The spun yarn is wound above the whorl for storage while spinning. This spindle looks like someone took a top whorl spindle and turned it upside-down. The yarn spirals up the shaft and secures at the top with a hook, notch, or just a half-hitch in the case of spindles with a plain shaft. Low-whorl spindles are believed to be the very oldest type of spindle. Also called bottom-whorl spindles.

NOTE: Many spindles can be used either as high- or low-whorl versions. Especially if you learn to spin without needing a hook (use the half-hitch mentioned earlier) then you can probably turn almost any high-whorl spindle into a low-whorl one.

When choosing a spindle, the absolute most important thing about it is that it is comfortable for you to use. Try as many as you possibly can at fiber festivals, shops, and guild meetings. Check out both high and low versions to see if you have a preference.

The second most important thing is the weight of the spindle. You can find spindles in weights of .25oz to 5oz. The average spinner uses spindles weighing .75oz to 2oz and with them, creates a wide range of yarns. Remember that a heavier spindle will require more force to move, and therefore you can cause a repetitive motion injury to your wrist and hand if you're not careful.

There is no hard and fast rule about how heavy a spindle is to how fine a yarn you can spin. While it is harder to spin a thicker yarn on a smaller spindle (simply because a lighter spindle will not have enough force to put twist into a heavy yarn, nor will you be able to store much on one with a short shaft), you CAN spin a finer yarn on a heavier spindle. Keep in mind that a .75oz spindle will get heavier as you wind on more and more yarn, thus changing its weight as you go.

Spindles can be either mass-produced or lovingly hand-made.

A mass-produced spindle tends to be a simple undecorated dowel with a heavy whorl and a small cup hook. They often weigh two or more ounces, which is quite heavy compared to most handmade spindles. Ashford, Schacht, Louet, et al make these. Often, once a spinner who started out on a mass-produced spindle has learned a bit about spinning, he or she will move on to finer spindles and will relegate the heavier one to plying or thick yarns only. Mass-produced spindles are usually the cheapest commercial choice, with a price range of $10 - $25.

An artisan-made spindle can be made from just about anything. Shafts tend to be any combination of fluted, ornate, hand-turned or tapered. Whorls can be glass, ceramic, wood inlay, carved wood, metal, stone, bone...if it can be shaped, chances are there's a spindle out there made from it. Exotic woods are commonly used, since spindles require only very small pieces. Artisan-made spindles range in price anywhere from $15 - $200 and beyond, given that they can be specialty products. Artisans like Stephen Kundert and Jonathan Bosworth make beautiful spindles that are still affordable, in the $30 - $60 range.

• Ashford, Louet, and Schacht -- Mass-produced spindles

• Kundert Spindles

• Bosworth Spindles

• Tabachek Spindles

• Spindlewood Spindles