How to spin yarn with a Mayan Spinner - step by step instructions 

Yes there are certainly many different tools for spinning yarn! This tool is particularly good for beginners.

The timeline for the development of different spindle types is often difficult to determine. Spinning tools based on the same concept as a Mayan Spinner can actually be found in other parts of the world too. I have seen some wonderful old footage from Dagestan of two women using a traditional tool almost identical to a Mayan Spinner but much, much larger in scale and worked by two people, one rotating a paddle and one drafting the fibre.

Well I’m really glad I’ve encouraged you to give your spinner another go! They are wonderful tools, but yes, the technique is quite different to a drop spindle.

Thank you! I’m so glad it was helpful for you!

I honestly think it’s the easiest way to learn how to spin.

Excellent! It’ll be in the post tomorrow! I hope you have lots of fun using it!

Yes you could definitely use a long draw technique with this tool, particularly if you spin from a rolag.

I’ve no doubt you will pick this up easily Cara! I’ve taught beginner spinners on a variety of tools and I genuinely believe this is the easiest one to learn on.

Great! I'm glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I really do think this is the easiest spinning tool to learn on, so I'm pleased it was recommended to you.

Glad you found it helpful!

It really is an easy spinning tool to use!

@@carolynadams2264 Glad it was helpful for you!

There certainly are many ways to spin and it’s lots of fun to experiment with the different tools.

You’re welcome! It’s an easy and fun way to spin!

Thank you!

Glad it was helpful for you!

Glad you enjoyed the video. It is a bit like a children's toy! And fun to use too!

It’s a very easy spinning tool to use!

It can be a bit noisy on public transport and you need to make sure you have space to stretch out your arms, but it’s great for taking on holidays with you. No long shaft or hook to poke into things and possibly snap. It certainly is fun, and much easier than a drop spindle.

Sure is! It's a Majacraft Rose. A wonderful wheel to use and so beautiful that she doubles as a decoration!

Thanks for the tip Sylvie! Yes it is a lot of fun to use and a great tool for beginner spinners. True, it may be possible to store more on an average drop spindle, but it all depends on how thick you are spinning your yarn, and how much weight you are comfortable rotating.

Glad you found the demo helpful!

Yes - I'm an Aussie. I'm sure you can hear it in my accent! I'm glad the video has helped you learn how these spinners work.

@@bonsaiwoman3231 thank you for a reply, I asked that if you were Aussie, because for some reason I got it wrong 😔 with another person, and they weren't best pleased. I'm also Aussie, I live in Tassy, it's nice that theres videos popping up that are Australian based, as mostly they're other countries. Thank you for sharing your video, and I hope you are able to make more. Cheers!

Thank you! Glad you found it interesting.

To ply, you simply tie the yarns to be plied to the top of the spinner, then rotate the paddle in the opposite direction to that in which you spun it.

I’m happy for you to use it as long as you credit me as the creator of the video.

@@carolynadams2264 That’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier the more yarn you add, so at some point rotating it will start to feel like hard work. That’s when to stop.

@@bonsaiwoman3231 Thank you for getting back to me. I'm also wondering if you ply with this spinner and if so, how do you do it.

@@carolynadams2264 Yes you can certainly ply with a Mayan Spinner. You hold the two strands together and then rotate the paddle in the opposite direction to that in which you spun the singles. You can work from a centre pull ball or have two balls of yarn beside you on the floor. Another option is to wind your yarn into a an Andean bracelet and work from that.

@@bonsaiwoman3231 Thank you so much!

Yes - if you have a very loose and open fibre preparation it is possible to draft with one hand while you rotate the paddle with the other. You need to be careful though because pulling against the paddle as you draft will stop it from rotating.

Head to my website www.bonsaiwoman.com.au There’s a link there to my Etsy store.

I haven’t measured it, but it’s really up to the individual. The paddle gets heavier as the cop builds up and eventually you get to a point where it feels like it’s hard work. That’s when I stop and wind off the yarn. I would say it takes about the same amount as a small supported spindle.

We know that the descendants of the Maya in Guatemala used similar tools for making rope. Modern spinners are based on this concept.