Quill Spindle

[Lorraine Holly]

what would be better for spinning silk to be used as embroidery thread a Quill Spindle or the Lace Flyer Kit
Thanking you Lorraine

[Peter]

Linda's comment...I feel the lace flyer would be most universal as it is easier to use, being the same as a traditional type of flyer and usage concept. It will also allow you to ply your silk yarn conveniently as well. The drawback: willl cost around $235. The quill spindle, as the Ashford site says 'enjoy the ancient art of quill spinning". Designed more for singles spinning, a lot of stopping, reversing, starting etc which may reduce output, but the price is only around $75. The lace flyer also has higher whorl ratios at 40:1, the quill only 26.5:1 max. The lace flyer is only available for a scotch tension system, the quill for either scotch or double drives. (Petlins Garage Sale currently has a high speed double drive flyer unit if you have a DD wheel!)..cheers  Linda

[Lorraine Holly]

Thanks for that Linda . SD wheels here . will have to save up for  the lace kit , the ratio sounds like it will be better for what I would like to do
Lorraine

[Caroline]

Just a thought........why use a wheel when a hand spindle will do the job very well? I spin all my silk on a spindle, and really enjoy the experience. 

[Peter]

Caroline, you must be using one of these then!?  http://www.knittinganyway.com/products/spindolyn.htm

[Caroline]

No, I don't own a Spindolyn, much as I think I might like one, lol!  I make my own spindles, and I find that for silk spinning something with a bit more weight, like about 50 to 70 grams, makes a really good job of it. My only efforts on both a quill and a flyer resulted in the silk sliding elegantly onto the floor.    Not enough twist! So I spindle spin to ensure I have it right, and if the spindle drops, I know I haven't put in enough twist.

[Lorraine Holly]

The truth is I had not even thought of a hand spindle , good idea
Lorraine