While reading the February/March 2023 issue of Mother Earth News, I came across a very interesting article titled, “3D-Printed Charkha, Spinning in the Digital Age” written by Joseph Bjork. Out of curiosity and a desire to have a few more bobbins for my fastest spinning wheel, I acquired a spindle kit and a spare bobbin kit from the GoodandBasic shop on Etsy.

The spindle kit comes with a pine wood dowel, a brass hook, and a neat, geometric, 3-D printed whorl in a huge selection of colors. I substituted an oak dowel that was longer and balanced the better with the whorl. I always like to carve the spindle dowels so they’re tapered at both ends and wax them before I secure the whorl.

This is a beautifully balanced spindle and the whorl is beautifully designed and crafted. I’m spinning black Corriedale fleece on it and it’s spinning up quite nicely.

The spare bobbin kit came with 3 large end whorls, 3 small end whorls, and 3 aluminum tubes. I measured the bobbin from my favorite speed demon spinning wheel, cut the tubes to the proper length with the hacksaw, and smoothed out edges with the grinder. I finished deburring the whorls and assembled the new bobbins. I now have 3 extra bobbins to use with my favorite wheel that hold 1.5 times more yarn than the original.

Good and Basic, which is owned by Joseph Bjork, also makes 3-D printed wool combs, flax hackles, full size spinning wheels, and has recently added a 3-D printed weaving loom in different sizes.

Now that you’re finished reading this (well, mostly), get busy and make something!!

**Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with Mother Earth News, the Good and Basic shop, or Joseph Bjork. I’m just a happy customer.