A drop spindle is a tool that has been used for centuries to spin fibers into thread or yarn. The drop spindle consists of a shaft with a weight at the bottom and a whorl (a disk-shaped piece) near the top. The fiber is wrapped around the shaft above the whorl and then the spindle is allowed to drop so that the weight rotates the shaft, which in turn twists the fiber and creates thread or yarn.
There are many different types of drop spindles, but they all serve the same purpose: to twist fibers into thread or yarn. Drop spindles can be made from a variety of materials including wood, bone, metal, and plastic. Some are simple in design while others are more ornate.
Drop spindles have been used for centuries all over the world. They were once an essential tool for spinning fibers into thread or yarn by hand. Today, they are mostly used by spinning hobbyists and artisans who enjoy creating their own hand-spun fibers.