Hand spinning tools

device for spinning thread, yarn, or silk from natural or synthetic fibers

spike used for spinning fibers into yarn

thumb|260px|Bertha of Swabia|Queen Bertha instructing girls to spin flax on spindles using distaves, [[Albert Anker, 1888]] thumb|right|250px|A distaff and a spindle A distaff (, , also called a rock) is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fibre. Fiber is wrapped around the distaff and tied in place with a piece of ribbon or string. The word comes from Low German dis, meaning a bunch of flax, connected with staff.

thumb|300px|Niddy-noddy with a removable crossbar. A niddy-noddy is a tool used to make skeins from yarn. It consists of a central bar, with crossbars at each end, offset from each other by 90°. The central bar is generally carved to make it easier to hold. Either one of the crossbars will have a flat edge to allow the skein to slide off, or will be completely removable. Niddy-noddies can be constructed of many different materials including wood, metal, and plastic. Wood is traditional, and most quality niddy-noddies are still made of wood. Budget spinners occasionally use niddy-noddies made f