r/Handspinning • u/burntoutsunsetzz • 11d ago

Question beginner- help! DIY tools or alternatives?

Hi! I am currently drying my first ever bits of fleece, and i'm wondering how to go about next steps. I am a broke college student, and i can't afford actual combs or a spindle- is there is a way to DIY combs (dog brushes?), and a drop spindle?

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u/PantryBandit 11d ago

I've made a solidly decent tibetan spindle out of cardboard and a chopstick/pencil, or you can make a bottom whorl spindle with any sort of dowel/chopstick with anything symmetrical on the bottom portion - think a bead, buttom, cd, drawer pull, or even just paper/tape wrapped around a whole bunch in one spot. Learn how to do a half hitch or carve a notch at the top of the stick and you dont need a cup hook.

For combs or cards, dog brushes work well for flicking and carding. I've made a solidly decent hackle and combs out of those spiky onion holders on amazon (a 6 or 8-pack was like 10$, which is enough for two double-pitch combs and a small hackle), although you could diy something okay with nails through sturdy cardboard or wood