Tag Archives: drop spindle

Wool Tree Mill.

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Knowing that there was new roving coming from Malabrigo, we thought that new drop spindles were in order, as well. We went to market in June looking for a source for beautiful wooden drop spindles and found it in Wool Tree Mill.

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Wool Tree Mill is a family-run business out of California, and all of their products are handcrafted from hardwoods for fiber artists. Their drop spindles are made of walnut, and we ordered them in two sizes, medium and large.

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Wool Tree Mill’s drop spindles are designed to be used in either a high-whorl or low-whorl position, according to the spinner’s preference and purpose.

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We also picked up a couple of Wool Trees, the signature Wool Tree Mill yarn-ball controller. “A ball of yarn can be naughty,” so says their website. “It will jump to the floor and play with the cat or tangle up everything in your yarn basket or tie itself in knots.” So true! The Wool Tree is made to hold your naughty ball of yarn, and turns easily so that the yarn is dispensed as it’s needed. Seeing these in use at market, we were drawn to the Wool Trees not only for their useful function, but their beautiful, simple design.

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They come in maple and walnut; ours is maple. Right now, we have a skein of Swans Island Organic Washable DK on the Tree. Come by the shop to sit awhile and try the yarn and the Tree, both equally lovely.

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We don’t have any Wool Trees in stock at the moment, but we’ve just reordered them; let us know if you’d like us to hold one for you!

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Look for the drop spindles by the roving in the front room. See you at the shop!

Spindles and shawl pins.

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Earlier this week, we were visited by local fiber artist Lorin Fields, the woman behind Local Color Hues, whose vibrantly hand-dyed merino roving we stock at the shop. She had something special to show us: hand-crafted drop spindles and shawl pins, made in Siler City exclusively from North Carolina hardwoods. Even as non-spinners, Anne and I were wooed by these beautiful pieces, which is why four spindles and four shawl pins have made the Hillsborough Yarn Shop their home.

A special, handmade drop spindle like this would make an excellent gift for a spinner or spinner-to-be, especially when paired with a soft puff of roving. If, like Anne and I, you’re more knitter or crocheter than spinner, the shawl pins are worth a look, and will make for a perfect finishing touch on a wrap or shawl.

Come by the shop to pick your favorite, and to admire the handiwork of a skilled craftsperson.