What’s a Distaff? Its a highly sophisticated precision instrument toy for handspinners. And it usually does not look like this.

Its usually looks more like this!

A distaff is a (usually) a staff that the spinner uses to hold fiber as she (sometimes he) spins. You can occasionally find these staves mounted on spinning wheels. Sometimes they have a base stand. But usually its a short staff that you have to hold onto in some way.

You see how the spinner in the image above has it cradled in the crook of her arm? That’s how I do it. Then I drop the distaff. Then I say a dirty word. Then I bend down to pick it up and I get my just-spun yarn all twisted up. Then I say more dirty words. Its probably fun for anyone who happens to be watching me but I don’t enjoy it much.

Which Is why I like the wrist distaff so much better. Its not a staff at all and everything just hangs off your wrist. No dropping. I’m not claiming that I never say dirty words when I spin with a wrist distaff but I say a lot fewer of them.

There are, of course, spinners that prefer the real thing. Like this lady here:

I pretty sure that spinner never drops her distaff. Or says dirty words. Or thinks much of the younger generation.

A wrist distaff is a breeze to make. It will take you 15 minutes, tops. All you need is some yarn, some beads, and a crochet hook.

1) Cut multiple strands of any rough, grabby yarn you have. I cut mine to be approximately 8 feet long.

2) Leave a nice long tail and begin making a crochet base chain.

3) Continue until the crochet chain is about a foot and a half long. Leave a nice long tail at the other end.

Step 4) String beads onto those ends. They should be heavy beads, enough to weight down the ends.

Step 5) Tie some knots to keep those beads in place.

6) Loop it around your wrist.

Told ya it was easy to make! Now grab some fiber and a spindle and we’ll get to spinning with our new toy high-precision instrument.

As I mention in the video, a wrist distaff is effective at keeping the in-use spinning fiber away from the Anti-Spinning Feline Overlord. That’s a very good thing in my home. I need every advantage I can get.

If you liked this and found it helpful than you should know I have more tutorials for knitters, crocheters and handspinners. You might like those too.

Have a great Sunday!