Spindolyn Sizes
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The Soprano~ smallest oak spindle for very fine to medium yarns. Just a tiweeny bit faster. About 2 5/8" diameter, 1.6 oz.
The Melody~ oak, best all around size, good for beginners, capable of wide range of yarns. Approximately 2 7/8" diameter, 1.9 oz.
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The Harmonic~ larger size of lighter weight tulip poplar, versatile, a wee bit slower, good capacity and great for plying. Approximately 3 3/8" diameter, 1.9 oz
The Baritone~ The largest size (~3 1/4" diameter and ~2 1/4 oz. ) It is large capacity, good for bulky yarns or plying.
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Which Spindolyn do I choose? To help you decide, I have lined up all the current standard spindolyns so that you can take a look. As mentioned in the FAQ In general, the smaller (lighter weight) the whorl, the faster the spin, but the shorter the spin time. The larger and heavier the whorl, the slower the spin, but the longer the spindolyn will turn.
So spinners who primarily spin fine, lace-weight or cotton would choose the smaller whorl. For plying, or bulky yarns, and beginners, you would choose the larger whorls, and for a multi-purpose spindolyn, a medium sized whorl.
Now, having said that...Size does not make quite as much difference to a supported spindle as it does to a drop spindle. As regards to weight, you are not as affected as much by gravity, but you still are by rotational momentum. You can spin any sized yarn on any spindolyn by adapting your technique. 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 of any weight, for practicing your drafting, 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. If you are spinning a very fine yarn on the biggest spindolyn, this extra twist that is necessary for fine yarns might become a bit tedious, and contrary-wise, if you are spinning very bulky yarns on a smaller spindolyn, you would have to wind off sooner, because of capacity limitations....too many words? I am always guilty of that.
As to the shaft color, due to supply and quality issues, all spindolyns now come with a clear shaft cover made of food grade tubing.
So spinners who primarily spin fine, lace-weight or cotton would choose the smaller whorl. For plying, or bulky yarns, and beginners, you would choose the larger whorls, and for a multi-purpose spindolyn, a medium sized whorl.
Now, having said that...Size does not make quite as much difference to a supported spindle as it does to a drop spindle. As regards to weight, you are not as affected as much by gravity, but you still are by rotational momentum. You can spin any sized yarn on any spindolyn by adapting your technique. 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 of any weight, for practicing your drafting, 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. If you are spinning a very fine yarn on the biggest spindolyn, this extra twist that is necessary for fine yarns might become a bit tedious, and contrary-wise, if you are spinning very bulky yarns on a smaller spindolyn, you would have to wind off sooner, because of capacity limitations....too many words? I am always guilty of that.
As to the shaft color, due to supply and quality issues, all spindolyns now come with a clear shaft cover made of food grade tubing.