What is spindle on spinning wheel?

The spindle is a central component of a spinning wheel that holds the fibers being spun into yarn. The spindle typically consists of a shaft, a whorl, and a hook. The shaft is usually made of wood or metal and is smooth and straight. The whorl is a round, weighted disc that is attached to the end of the spindle shaft. The hook is a small, curved wire or metal rod that is fixed to the top of the spindle shaft and used to catch and twist the fibers.

When the spinning wheel is in use, the spinner draws out fibers from the fiber supply and attaches them to the hook of the spindle. The spinner then rotates the spindle, causing the whorl to spin and twist the fibers together into a cohesive strand of yarn. As the spindle spins, the twisted yarn is wound onto the shaft below the whorl.

The design of the spindle can vary depending on the spinning wheel and the type of yarn being spun. Some spindles have larger whorls and longer shafts for spinning thicker, coarser yarns, while others have smaller whorls and shorter shafts for spinning thinner, more delicate yarns.