Sat 11 Sep 2010
I have always assumed that supported spindles are roughly equivalent to drop spindles. Two tools with a slightly different geometry that get the job done. I was more intuitively comfortable with drop spindles (I have no idea why), so I started there, and there I have stayed.
But today, this popped up in my feed reader, and I think I may need to reconsider. My shoulder has prevented me from drop spindling in any quantity for many, many months now. Spinning supported looks like it might be the answer.
And even if it’s not, it sure looks fun.
I have some of each, and while, like you, I found suspended spindles intuitive, now that I’ve learned more about supported spindling, I’m enjoying it. It’s wonderful for spinning cotton, and I got myself a little cup on a stem, so I can sit cross-legged to spin. In fact, you’re reminding me that I need to start scattering my spindles around the house so I can spin in little free moments — you know what they say about spindles: slower by the hour, quicker by the day.
As a non-spinner, I can’t really comment on spinning method, but it was shoulder pain that in part prompted me to change my knitting style (from English to Continental). Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there are so many methods of doing something, but it can be fun searching for the one that works best for us!
I’m with you – drop seemed more intuitive, but I wonder if that is only because it’s what I’ve seen. Keep us posted!