Spinning

A handspindle is defined as any implement that can be twisted or rotated by hand to twist fibers together into yarn. Handspindles can be divided into two general categories: a dropspindle, in which the thread is formed as the spindle spins while gravity pulls it to the ground; or a suspended spindle, where the spindle is spun on a set surface like a top and the thread is created by pulling the fiber away from the spindle.

Documentat ion for an Anglo-Saxo n dress, describing all steps of the process, including spinning and dyeing the yarn, and weaving the cloth.

The purpose of the Guild is to provide a forum for the exchange of information about spinning and other fibre arts, to encourage awareness and knowledge of spinning, and to challenge spinners to excel at their craft, within the context of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Spinning is one of the most basic crafts. It has been discovered over and over again, each culture adapting it to best suit their needs. Spindle whorls (the round weight, which, with the shaft, composes a spindle) have been found dating to Neolithic times. The technology for spinning did not change until the development of the spinning wheel and flyer in medieval times. For much of human history, all members of a society would have been involved on some level with the production of textiles.

This is a partial list of books I have found helpful in my research of weaving, spinning and dyeing. This list is not comprehensive and reflects my focus: weaving, spinning, and natural dyeing.

A history of medieval Italian textiles and their production .

This comprehens ive report represents a landmark in the publicatio n of medieval finds from excavation s in York. It encompasse s very large assemblage s of medieval artefacts of a wide variety of materials, including iron, non-ferrou s metal, stone, jet, amber, fired clay, glass and textile. These were recovered from four major sites in York.

The East Kingdom of the SCA has a nascent fiber arts guild. Topics covered are varied and diverse. We are spinners, knitters, weavers, naalbinders, dyers, felters and others and we're interested in flax, wool, cotton, silk, hemp and nettle. And if you're carving spindles and you want to talk to people who would use them, you're welcome too!

Documentat ion from a spinning project.

Middle Kingdom Textile Artisan Guild for various fiber artisans: baskets, embroidery , knitting, sprang, spinning, weaving, dyeing. Papers and projects.

Medieval illustrati ons frequently show women carrying a spindle while engaged in other tasks. It took several spinners to supply one weaver, so the industriou s housewife used every spare moment for spinning. The distaff kept the fibers (wool or flax) organized and clean until they were spun.

A group of medieval re-enactors who are also spinners, weavers and dyers. Here we can discuss the various ways of spinning, weaving and dyeing using authenic methods and the types of sheep breeds that would have been around at that time.

An ongoing site with articles and links on Fiber Arts as they apply to the Middle Ages and the SCA.

Preparatio n of flax, and spinning flax.

For those who spin their own yarn to use in weaving.

Dedicated to the art of hand spinning fibers, using handspun yarns to create pieces through various methods of the textile arts, teaching the art of spinning and various techniques of using these yarns, and researching the use of fiber throughout the ages.

Fiber arts mailing list based in Stowe-on-the-Wowld.

An introduction to drop-spindle spinning.