Finding your match: How to choose the right spindle?

Find the spindle that fits your yarn

Choosing a spindle is personal. It’s about the balance between what you want to create, how you want to spin, and which wood suits your aesthetic. In three steps, I’ll help you find the spindle that fits your flow.

Step 1: Weight and Size (The Technical Part)

The weight determines how thin (or thick) your yarn will be. Start by asking yourself: what do I want to make?

Size	Weight	What do you spin?	Needle size (mm)	Level
0	6 – 8 g	Cobweb, silk	1.5 – 2	Experienced
1	6 – 12 g	Lace, thin sock yarn	1.5 – 2.5	Experienced
2	10 – 22 g	Sock yarn, fingering weight	1,5 – 4	Intermediate
3	17 – 38 g	DK to Worsted weight	2.5 – 5.5	Beginner
4	Up to 50 g	Bulky, art yarn, plying	4 – 8	Experienced

Listen to your hands

Beyond your project choice, there’s another important factor: the natural ‘vibe’ of your hands. Your fingers often have a voice of their own. When you spin without thinking, your body tends to find its own natural thickness. For most people, that’s relatively thin.

Keep this in mind: Do you want to spin thick yarn, but find your hands naturally gravitating towards lace? Know that spinning thick on a heavier spindle requires conscious technique. It might not feel as ‘automatic’ as your natural flow. Choose a spindle that supports your rhythm, or be aware that you might need to step out of your comfort zone with a larger size.

At home or on the go?

On the go: Sizes 0, 1, and 2 are compact. Perfect for a spinning session on the train or in the park.
At home: Sizes 3 and 4 are larger. They give you more room for bigger balls of yarn, but take up more space.

Pro tip: Doubting between two sizes with the same weight? Choose the smaller size if you plan to take it with you often; it’s much easier to tuck away.

Step 2: The Model (The Spinning Experience)

The shape of the arms determines how the spindle reacts. I work with three main models and two specialists:

Model Athena (The Marathon Runner): Thin arms, weight in the tips. Spins for ages. Perfect for a meditative flow.
Model Artemis (The Powerhouse): More compact, weight centered. Starts instantly and gives a powerful spin. For the spinner who wants to make some serious yards.
Model Aphrodite (The Balance): The sweet spot between speed and spin time. Spins steadily and evenly.
Specialists: Hebe & Hera: With a cross of only 6 cm, these spindles spin extremely fast. Essential for lovers of ultra-fine work like silk or yak.

The Secret of ‘Sister Weights’

Two 20-gram spindles can feel completely different. I call this sister weights.

A 20-gram Artemis in Size 2 feels powerful and ‘present’. It reacts instantly to every move.
A 20-gram Athena in Size 3 feels much calmer despite the same weight and will ‘glide’ more. Don’t just choose based on grams—choose the experience you’re looking for.Een 20 grams Athena in maat 3 voelt ondanks hetzelfde gewicht veel rustiger en zal meer ‘glijden’.

Tip: Don’t just choose based on the numbers, choose the experience you’re looking for.

Step 3: Wood & Feel (The Footprint)

Wood is more than just a color. It determines the tactile experience and the impact on the planet.

Local & Responsible

My heart lies with local wood (Maple, Cherry, Elm). It saves miles and ensures responsible forest management. Sometimes I choose an exotic wood like Zebrano for its unique patterns, but always from sustainable sources or reclaimed batches. No guilt, just a unique look.

Your Sensory Match

Maple: The technical all-rounder. Pale, stable, and silky-smooth after polishing.
Cherry: Warm, reddish tones. Gets even more beautiful over time and feels very soft.
Olive Ash: For those who love character. Beautiful dark grain and a robust, present grip.
Zebrano: A visual spectacle with deep stripes. Features a characteristic, palpable wood structure (tactile ASMR)

Unique: Your spindle is a product of nature. I work with the natural variations in the grain to make every piece one-of-a-kind. Your spindle is literally the only one in the world with that specific pattern.

Ready for a ‘Flying Start’?

Beginner? Start with Size 3. It offers the calm and stability you need to get the feel of it.
Sock yarn fan? Go for Size 2 or a light Size 3.
Plying? Use a Size 4 to powerfully merge two strands into one ball.

View the collection.

What is a Turkish spindle?

The clever thing about this design? You build your ball of yarn directly on the spindle (the ‘turtle’). When you’re done, just slide the arms out and you have a center-pull ball ready for use. No extra tools needed.