Weekly Spindle Review ~ Mjolinor

This giant is what Jeremy refers to as "surprisingly photogenic" (hows that for a reason to buy)


Maker: Greensleeves
Weight: 64 g / 2 1/4 oz
Length: 12" Shaft   4" Whorl
Style: Top Whorl
Woods: Unknown


This spindle was on my "need" list for several years after seeing this on Marihana's stash page.  My friend Susan noticed one for destash on Ravelry and I instantly jumped on it. 

It is a very large spindle and quite heavy compared to my others.  I have mostly been happy with Greensleeves spindles and this one seems... different.  Not that its not pretty, its ok to be somewhat plain but the shaft on it seems to be.. ugly to say the least.  Not that this plays a huge role but it just looks like a dowel to me.  A lot of time and love was spent on the whorl though, its beautiful warm woods are a nice, dark, rich colour.  The underbelly has been turned nicely (different from other Mjolinors I've seen online) and its got a nice shallow umbrella shape.  There is only a single notch at the back of the hook, but it doesn't seem to be very big/deep to hold the yarns I would use for this type of spindle.  And I should also mention that the main reason I wanted this spindle was for plying.  I wanted a large spindle that could hold a full skein of yarn so I didn't have to make a couple smaller skeins.


The fibre pictured is my Nov 2013 club shipment from North Bound Knitting.  Cheviot wool in the colourway "The Talented Mr. Ripley"  

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My first opinion on this spindle was one of slight disappointment.  It's a very slow spinner.  I was plying a sample of Corriepaca (Rubber Grapes - Spunky Eclectic June 2010),  After about 5 mins of 2 plying, I didn't like how it was looking.  I broke the yarn and chain plyed the rest.  I got about 56 yards.  This was a little slow going for me and for those who know me know that I'm more of an instant gratification person.   I also found the weight to be a big factor.  The singles were spun on an IST so they were a bit too fine to be plied on such a heavy spindle.  I may give this one another chance in the future with a heavier yarn.  

This spindle would be much more suited to spinning long wools where you want less twist in your yarns. One plus for this spindle is the spin time is very long.  You won't have to worry about it changing direction on you.   This particular spindle has a bit of a wobble.

My helpers; Rider & Phoebe

Spindle rating:
Length of spin: 46.9 seconds (average of three tests)
Fibre storage ability: VERY good
Looks: Simple
Overall Rating (as a plying spindle): 7/10 


Don't ask me how to pronounce Mjolinor, it is one of Greensleeves Scandinavian style spindles and its design is based off a spindle found in Northern Europe in an archaeological dig.  I will give this spindle another try later on when I have some larger skeins to ply.  There is a lot of potential in this gentle giant.

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