Blackfoot Spindle
~ day 42 of ImbolcSpin ~
The 'Valley Green' roving from a local fiber shop has a slight compression due to age. (This blended roving is old enough for a driving permit.)
Rather than pre-drafting or re-combing, the best tool for rough-wool: Blackfoot Spindle
The Niitsitapi tool for spinning animal fibers into threads & yarns has a high mid-whorl.
The spiindle is perfect for making cordage to sew the traditional Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) leather & hide garments then decorating the surface with quills, shells, bone, teeth, & beads of various size.
The twist enters the fiber off the point of the spindle and the shaft is rotated horizontally. It's similar enough to a great wheel spindle head that some spinners use that technique. Although - the original process is more of a park & draft.
Both methods use a dual cop for storing the spun yarn - a distinctive feature of this tool.
Due to their history, these spindles are rare in a craft that is already uncommon.
Blackfoot Spindles were reintroduced to the Midwest spinning community in 2011-2012 by fiberist & author Marilyn Wright, and by woodsmith, Dave Kolars. Later - Wright offered her experience in the Summer 2013 issue of Spin-Off magazine.
A decade plus later and these spindles are still uncommon tools in an uncommon craft but the right tool for this wool blend.
