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spindle and whorl
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spindle and whorl

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Also known as: drop spindle
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drop spindle
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spindle

spindle and whorl, Earliest device for spinning fibres into thread or yarn. The spinster lets the spindle fall to draw out the fibres while the whorl keeps it rotating to apply the necessary twist. The spindle and whorl was replaced by the spinning wheel.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Robert Curley.