Really interesting that the Mayans chose to make a more complex, two piece spinner at a time when most civilisations were using plain stones, or just a one piece spinner in wood. Scottish Dealgan. Thanks for sharing this.
The timeline for the development of different spindle types is often difficult to determine. Spinning tools based on the same concept as a Mayan Spinner can actually be found in other parts of the world too. I have seen some wonderful old footage from Dagestan of two women using a traditional tool almost identical to a Mayan Spinner but much, much larger in scale and worked by two people, one rotating a paddle and one drafting the fibre.
This makes so much more sense than trying to spin it and draw the wool out like with a drop spindle. I'll have to give my spinner another go now that i know how to use the darn thing.
Well I’m really glad I’ve encouraged you to give your spinner another go! They are wonderful tools, but yes, the technique is quite different to a drop spindle.
I just found your post about this through ig, followed it to your blog and then this video and I’m already sold! You make me believe I could pick this up easily and all through a 6 minute video!
I’ve no doubt you will pick this up easily Cara! I’ve taught beginner spinners on a variety of tools and I genuinely believe this is the easiest one to learn on.
Thank you for the great tutorial! I was just at a fiber festival where one of the vendors recommended this kind of spindle for a new spinner. I can't wait to get started!
Thats interesting :) Seems useful if you cant take a spinning wheel with you. (I am not sure how others would like that in the train but the thought of it is funny :D) (I prefer the wheel as I was really bad at a spindle... But THIS looks fun :) )
It can be a bit noisy on public transport and you need to make sure you have space to stretch out your arms, but it’s great for taking on holidays with you. No long shaft or hook to poke into things and possibly snap. It certainly is fun, and much easier than a drop spindle.
@@bonsaiwoman3231 thank you for a reply, I asked that if you were Aussie, because for some reason I got it wrong 😔 with another person, and they weren't best pleased. I'm also Aussie, I live in Tassy, it's nice that theres videos popping up that are Australian based, as mostly they're other countries. Thank you for sharing your video, and I hope you are able to make more. Cheers!
Super interesting to see, looks like a fun way to spin... Yet it doesn't hold as much yarn as a regular spindle, does it ? (PS - a direct link to your Etsy store in the description of the video would be more direct to see your spindles ;-) )
Thanks for the tip Sylvie! Yes it is a lot of fun to use and a great tool for beginner spinners. True, it may be possible to store more on an average drop spindle, but it all depends on how thick you are spinning your yarn, and how much weight you are comfortable rotating.
Yes - if you have a very loose and open fibre preparation it is possible to draft with one hand while you rotate the paddle with the other. You need to be careful though because pulling against the paddle as you draft will stop it from rotating.
@@carolynadams2264 That’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier the more yarn you add, so at some point rotating it will start to feel like hard work. That’s when to stop.
@@carolynadams2264 Yes you can certainly ply with a Mayan Spinner. You hold the two strands together and then rotate the paddle in the opposite direction to that in which you spun the singles. You can work from a centre pull ball or have two balls of yarn beside you on the floor. Another option is to wind your yarn into a an Andean bracelet and work from that.
I haven’t measured it, but it’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier as the cop builds up and eventually you get to a point where it feels like it’s hard work. That’s when I stop and wind off the yarn. I would say it takes about the same amount as a small supported spindle.
That's novel. Haven't seen this method before. Amazing the different ways we've managed to spin fibers.
Yes there are certainly many different tools for spinning yarn! This tool is particularly good for beginners.
Really interesting that the Mayans chose to make a more complex, two piece spinner at a time when most civilisations were using plain stones, or just a one piece spinner in wood. Scottish Dealgan. Thanks for sharing this.
The timeline for the development of different spindle types is often difficult to determine. Spinning tools based on the same concept as a Mayan Spinner can actually be found in other parts of the world too. I have seen some wonderful old footage from Dagestan of two women using a traditional tool almost identical to a Mayan Spinner but much, much larger in scale and worked by two people, one rotating a paddle and one drafting the fibre.
This makes so much more sense than trying to spin it and draw the wool out like with a drop spindle. I'll have to give my spinner another go now that i know how to use the darn thing.
Well I’m really glad I’ve encouraged you to give your spinner another go! They are wonderful tools, but yes, the technique is quite different to a drop spindle.
That was the best tutorial on Mayan spinning that I've seen. Thank you so much for the detailed instructions.
Thank you! I’m so glad it was helpful for you!
Why have I never heard of this type of spinning? This looks like a fun way to learn the craft.
I honestly think it’s the easiest way to learn how to spin.
I just ordered from your Etsy shop. I can't wait to get my spinner
Excellent! It’ll be in the post tomorrow! I hope you have lots of fun using it!
I just found your post about this through ig, followed it to your blog and then this video and I’m already sold! You make me believe I could pick this up easily and all through a 6 minute video!
I’ve no doubt you will pick this up easily Cara! I’ve taught beginner spinners on a variety of tools and I genuinely believe this is the easiest one to learn on.
I am a Great Wheel spinner and think I may be able to long draw with this tool
Yes you could definitely use a long draw technique with this tool, particularly if you spin from a rolag.
Thanks for such an excellent tutorial!
Glad you found it helpful!
Beautiful! You make this look so easy.
It really is an easy spinning tool to use!
P.S. I really like your video, extremely informative and helpful.
@@carolynadams2264 Glad it was helpful for you!
Thank you for the great tutorial! I was just at a fiber festival where one of the vendors recommended this kind of spindle for a new spinner. I can't wait to get started!
Great! I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I really do think this is the easiest spinning tool to learn on, so I'm pleased it was recommended to you.
Never seen this before. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! It’s an easy and fun way to spin!
Супер!
Сколько же есть способов прясть!🤩👍👍👍👍👍
There certainly are many ways to spin and it’s lots of fun to experiment with the different tools.
Thank you. That is a good idea!
@@betula-pendula Head to my website www.bonsaiwoman.com.au for more information.
Awesome tutorial! Thanks from Canada
Glad it was helpful for you!
Thats interesting :) Seems useful if you cant take a spinning wheel with you. (I am not sure how others would like that in the train but the thought of it is funny :D)
(I prefer the wheel as I was really bad at a spindle... But THIS looks fun :) )
It can be a bit noisy on public transport and you need to make sure you have space to stretch out your arms, but it’s great for taking on holidays with you. No long shaft or hook to poke into things and possibly snap. It certainly is fun, and much easier than a drop spindle.
Fabulous technique!
It’s a very easy spinning tool to use!
Very Interesting. Very Easy to follow and detailed. Thank you. Looks lmost like you're playing game.
Glad you enjoyed the video. It is a bit like a children's toy! And fun to use too!
Love your video hun very inspiring
Thank you!
Спасибо большое! Очень интересно! Действительно, необычный способ. И очень понятно объясняете.
Thank you! Glad you found it interesting.
Is that a majacraft wheel I see in the background she is so pretty x
Sure is! It's a Majacraft Rose. A wonderful wheel to use and so beautiful that she doubles as a decoration!
Fantastic demo thank you for sharing new subby here xxx
Glad you found the demo helpful!
Are you Australian? Thank you for the video, I came across a picture if one of these spindles and wondered if that's how it worked. Cheers!
Yes - I'm an Aussie. I'm sure you can hear it in my accent! I'm glad the video has helped you learn how these spinners work.
@@bonsaiwoman3231 thank you for a reply, I asked that if you were Aussie, because for some reason I got it wrong 😔 with another person, and they weren't best pleased. I'm also Aussie, I live in Tassy, it's nice that theres videos popping up that are Australian based, as mostly they're other countries. Thank you for sharing your video, and I hope you are able to make more. Cheers!
Super interesting to see, looks like a fun way to spin... Yet it doesn't hold as much yarn as a regular spindle, does it ?
(PS - a direct link to your Etsy store in the description of the video would be more direct to see your spindles ;-) )
Thanks for the tip Sylvie! Yes it is a lot of fun to use and a great tool for beginner spinners. True, it may be possible to store more on an average drop spindle, but it all depends on how thick you are spinning your yarn, and how much weight you are comfortable rotating.
Interesting. I hadn't seen that type of spindle before. One question, how do you ply using a Mayan spinner?
To ply, you simply tie the yarns to be plied to the top of the spinner, then rotate the paddle in the opposite direction to that in which you spun it.
Where can I buy one like yours?
Head to my website www.bonsaiwoman.com.au There’s a link there to my Etsy store.
Hello, I was curious if you would mind me using this video tutorial in a presentation regarding spinning spanish moss?
I’m happy for you to use it as long as you credit me as the creator of the video.
Is there a way to spin without park and draft?
Yes - if you have a very loose and open fibre preparation it is possible to draft with one hand while you rotate the paddle with the other. You need to be careful though because pulling against the paddle as you draft will stop it from rotating.
How much fiber do you allow on the paddle before removing it?
@@carolynadams2264 That’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier the more yarn you add, so at some point rotating it will start to feel like hard work. That’s when to stop.
@@bonsaiwoman3231 Thank you for getting back to me. I'm also wondering if you ply with this spinner and if so, how do you do it.
@@carolynadams2264 Yes you can certainly ply with a Mayan Spinner. You hold the two strands together and then rotate the paddle in the opposite direction to that in which you spun the singles. You can work from a centre pull ball or have two balls of yarn beside you on the floor. Another option is to wind your yarn into a an Andean bracelet and work from that.
@@bonsaiwoman3231 Thank you so much!
How much yarn can it hold
I haven’t measured it, but it’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier as the cop builds up and eventually you get to a point where it feels like it’s hard work. That’s when I stop and wind off the yarn. I would say it takes about the same amount as a small supported spindle.
So this is how you can use a fidget spinner to spin with
Why dose it call "Mayan" spinner? is it Mayan, originally? .
We know that the descendants of the Maya in Guatemala used similar tools for making rope. Modern spinners are based on this concept.