DIY Poplar and Birch Top Whorl Spindle

Here is your opportunity to put your own spin on making a one of a kind spindle for yourself or as a gift or resale. Why waste time and money on wooden toy wheels, crooked dowel rods, coffee cup hooks and split shafts? 

Dave has professionally crafted this DYI top whorl spindle complete with a 1 7/8 inch poplar whorl and a 9 1/2 inch birch shaft (8 inches below the whorl), brass hook and a notch in the 3 o'clock position. The whorl has been sealed and sanded smooth ready to paint (do not stain since the wood has been sealed). The birch shaft has already been finished with polish. Of course you don't have to paint it if you don't want to. Just wax the whorl and off you go. 

This spindle weighs 0.7 oz (21 grams) and can be found in our Etsy shop.

Acorn Support Spindle

Acorn Support Spindle

This is a new design for Grizzly Mountain Arts!  Dave has made other acorn shaped fiber art tools in the past, but never a spindle.


This beautiful 1 7/8 inch acorn whorl was crafted from poplar.  Pyrography was used to do the detailing on the cap.  The 11 1/2 inch long shaft was made from walnut and the weight of this spindle is 51 grams (1.8 ounces).

New Wrist Distaffs on Etsy

Bocote, Poplar and Walnut "Bee's Knees" Wrist Distaffs

We have just added the three wrist distaffs above to our Etsy shop. These unique wrist distaffs all feature the "Bee's Knees" carved design. The woods used in these distaffs are bocote, walnut and poplar.

Native American Design Low Whorl Drop Spindle

Native American Design Low Whorl Drop Spindle

Dave is adding a new design to his spindle line and this one is a real beauty! If you've taken a look at some of our past work, you've seen that pine needle basket making is another of Dave's passions.

On this new spindle, he's created a 1 7/8 inch diameter Poplar low whorl that looks like a pine needle basket. Using pyrography, he has adorned it with a Native American pattern.

This unique 11 3/4 long spindle, also features a brass hook, Spalted Birch shaft and brass bumper. The weight of this low whorl drop spindle is 1.6 ounces. If you'd like to view more photos, please visit our Etsy shop.

French Style Spindle and Support Spinning Bowl

French Style Spindle and Support Spinning Bowl
Clicking on the photo above will show a larger view.

This is a French style spindle, which is shaped a little different having a larger diameter in the center. Dave has carved yarn tracking grooves in both directions on the upper part of the spindle so it can be spun in clockwise or counter clockwise directions. The spindle is 12 inches long and made of lightweight poplar wood and weighs only 1 oz (28g). Additional photos of this spindle and bowl can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Oak Leaf Motif Spool Knitter

Handcrafted 8 Pin Spool Knitter

Dave has handmade this 3 inch spool knitter out of Poplar wood. He has also burn etched an oak leaf motif all the way around it. This spool knitter has 8 brass pins that will not rust, and comes with a 6 inch loop lifter. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Native Totem Spool Knitter

Native Totem Spool Knitter

This four brass pin totem spool knitter , also called a knitting nancy, was inspired and adapted from actual Native American symbol pictographs and rock art. Dave crafted it from poplar wood, with purpleheart and rosewood accents. It is approximately 4 ½ inches tall and is accompanied by a 5 ¼ inch loop lifter made of purpleheart wood with a truestone turquoise accent ring.

The deity Kokopelli plays his flute and dances around the bottom of the knitter while above him, four Shaman hold hands and also dance in a circle to his music. Above them ,various native spiritual or mystical symbols circle the knitter. While Kokopelli is mostly known as a fertility deity, he is also known as a “spirit of music”. More photos of this stunning fiber art tool can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Handcrafted 5 Pin Spool Knitter

Handcrafted 5 Pin Spool Knitter

Dave has made this 4 inch spool knitter and loop lifter out of Poplar and Walnut. He has also burn etched the Grape and Leaf motif all the way around it. It has 5 brass pins that will not rust. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction for this unique fiber art tool.

Poplar and Rosewood French Spool Knitter

Poplar and Rosewood French Spool Knitter

Dave has handcrafted this four brass pin spool knitter out of Poplar and dark Rosewood. He has burn etched the rose design on both sides. This spool knitter is 3 3/4 inches long and the companion 5 1/2 inch needle/loop lifter is made from the same materials. An additional photo can be found at the Ebay auction listing.

Acorn Lace Bobbins

Acorn Lace Bobbins

Dave has handcrafted this pair of continental style acorn lace bobbins using birch, oak and olive green poplar woods. They are approximately 4 inches long. These beautiful bobbins are currently up for auction on Ebay.

Fern Motif Spool Knitter

This newest Spool Knitter was created by Dave as a commissioned piece for one of our wonderful customers. It features a very elegant fern motif that has been burn-etched around the knitter. Poplar and walnut woods were used in this piece.

Handcrafted Poplar Crochet Rug Hook Size N, 10mm

Handcrafted Poplar Crochet Rug Hook Size N, 10mm

Dave handcrafted this approx 5 3/4 inch crochet rug hook using Olive Green color Poplar wood. It is US Size N (10.00 mm). This hook has a hand rubbed bees wax finish.

This hook is currently up for auction on Ebay :)

Handcrafted Acorn French Knitting Spool

Handcrafted Acorn French Knitting Spool

Dave handcrafted this acorn spool knitter using olive green poplar wood and burn etched a oak leaf design around it. It is approx 2 3/4 inch overall length and he used brass knitting pins that will not rust. Dave also hand turned the accompanying 4 1/4 inch knitting needle from the same olive green wood and also adorned the end with an acorn finial. Both the knitter and needle have a hand rubbed bees wax finish. The knitter has been initialed and dated by Dave.

If you would like to view more photos of this item, please click here to visit the Ebay auction.