Myanmar Spinning Pyu people were known to be peaceful to the extent of wearing cotton so as to not kill silkworms.[1] Spinning silk. I love her reeling wheel[2] References [1] Jeffrey Hays, “Pyu People and Civilization,” Facts and Details, 2008, https://factsanddetails.com/southeast-asia/Myanmar/sub5_5a/entry-2996.html. [2] Annie Owen, Woman Spinning Silk Thread on a Spinning Wheel with Bicycle Wheel, Ko Than Hlaing Weaving, Inpawkhan, Inle Lake, Shan State, Myanmar (Burma), Asia, January 2016, photograph, Robert Harding, January 2016, https://www.robertharding.com/preview/805-904/woman-spinning-silk-thread-spinning-wheel-bicycle-wheel/.

Book Charkha Spinning – India Modernly, the book or Peti Charkha is a novelty spinning wheel that is relatively cheap to purchase compared to most wheels and can be found on quite a few websites where spinning wheels are sold, though there are delicately few instructions for them. I have also found instructions for 3D printed book charkas which might be good for classes, but I’m not sure how good they would be for general wear and tear. This wheel is… not period. But it is delightfully portable and I’ve seen it at multiple SCA events. It was invented between 1920 and 1940.[1] So do with this information what you will. A picture of an open book charkhra. This will disassemble and fold down to be the size of a large book. I've had success spinning wool on it more than cotton or silk, but that might be because I'm more practiced in wool.[1] References [1] Nakonechny, Joanne. “First Steps in Charkha Spinning.” Spin Off, July 4, 2022. https://spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/ .

Azerbaijani Spinning Spun wool dates to the 4th millennium BCE, and while dyed spun flax date to 34,000 BCE.[1] Sericulture (silk production) has been an industry in Azerbaijan since the 7th century.[2] Azerbaijan was known for its silk fabrics, as they were the basis of brocades, darai, diba and zarbaft.[3] An Azerbaijani woman spinning on a wheel.[4] References [1] Cosima Stewart, “The History of Weaving in the Caucasus,” Cabana Magazine, December 21, 2024, https://cabanamagazine.com/blogs/atlas-of-craftsmanship/the-history-of-weaving-in-the-caucasus . [2] B. Abbasov, “Azerbaijan National Sericulture Development Plan,” Azerbaijan national sericulture development plan :: The Black, Caspian Seas and Central Asia Silk Association (BACSA), accessed June 16, 2025, https://www.bacsa-silk.org/en/azerbaijan-national-sericulture-development-plan/ . [3] “Azerbaijan,” Azerbaijan | Silk Roads Programme, accessed June 16, 2025, https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/countries-alongside-silk-road-routes/azerbaijan. [4] Cosima Stewart, “The History of Weaving in the Caucasus,” Cabana Magazine, December 21, 2024, https://cabanamagazine.com/blogs/atlas-of-craftsmanship/the-history-of-weaving-in-the-caucasus .

Indonesian Spinning Indonesian spinning wheels are called ndatar or ndtaru. The fancy ones would have one or sometimes two statues on them, usually representing Miala Ratu Nggela and Mamu Ratu Ngguku, the first human couple. It was said that they dropped from the sky in a basket of red cotton, and Miala Ratu Nggela made clothes for her husband with it, so red cotton was sacred.[1] The wheels are most like those found in Japan – they have the string tires and they are made to sit on the floor. Fancy ikat weaving dates to as early as 1000 BCE.[2] However, this weaving wasn’t industry sized, but more like hobby stuff done when they weren’t working in the fields.[3] A princess’s spinning wheel from Indonesia. Used more for ceremonial clothing than for industrial type use.[4] Super interesting figures, I’m hoping to find more! References [1] Georges Breguet, “A Sumba Spinning Wheel: An Instrument, a Work of Art and a Lesson in Philosophy,” Art of the Ancestors, February 15, 2015, https://www.artoftheancestors.com/blog/sumba-spinning-wheel-georges-breguet. [2] “Ikat,” Wikipedia, June 13, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikat. [3] Edu Lahar Pragowo, “How the Dutch Fought to Save Indonesia’s Textile Industry,” Java Private Tour, February 10, 2025, https://javaprivatetour.com/how-the-dutch-fought-to-save-indonesias-textile-industry#:~:text=By%20the%20early%2020th%20century,a%20golden%20opportunity%20for%20profit. [4] Georges Breguet, “A Sumba Spinning Wheel: An Instrument, a Work of Art and a Lesson in Philosophy,” Art of the Ancestors, February 15, 2015, https://www.artoftheancestors.com/blog/sumba-spinning-wheel-georges-breguet.

Laos Spinning When the Tai Kadai arrived in Laos, the people there, the Mon- Khmer, had a tradition of weaving cotton and hemp.[1] While it’s possible they imported spun cotton and hemp, it’s more likely they spun it themselves. Wheels made in Southern Laos often feature a naga or a river dragon head for protection. The wheels are “hand operated”[2] . The culture is known for a warp ikat, so there’s plenty of weaving going on, I just don’t know how much hand spinning is being done, though the silk is supposedly hand spun as well.[2] It’s Japanese? That’s so weird. I would have thought Indian, for sure…[3] Oh, it’s tilted too! I feel the need to try and feel the difference on my wheels References [1] “Textile Guide: Lao Weaves,” House of Wandering Silk, August 1, 2016, https://www.wanderingsilk.org/post/2016/08/01/textiles-360-lao-weaves. [2] “Weaving of Laos,” Global InCH, accessed June 15, 2025, https://globalinch.org/craft/textiles-of-laos/. [3] Tammachat, Using a Traditional Lao Spinning Wheel, September 24, 2009, photograph, Flickr, September 24, 2009, https://www.flickr.com/photos/9255099@N08/3950237653.

Japanese Spinning The kanji “紡 (ぼう)” (bou) originated from the act of spinning thread. (As a note, without the word “bou” in your search, google gives non helpful stuff for this, [like paper yarn spinning!] so make sure to use it.) 糸車 itoguruma (literally "thread vehicle") is spinning wheel and spindle is 紡錘 bousui, of course these are in modern Japanese, but they help immensely when searching for information. Japanese wheels look a lot like Indian standing charkhras. The wheels were typically a little larger, and were typically designed for floor use rather than table use. The other difference is that the Indian charkhras have string “tires” while Japanese wheels have wooden ones. I'm not sure how else to better describe that. The part the drive band goes over is what I'm calling the “tire”, And I'm sure there's a word for it that I don't know. Hand spinning- it was likely supported spinning, done in small dishes or small rocks on the floor. As wheels were pretty common, hand spinning was not likely done by many. While the Japanese spun cotton, it was not often, and was not much. Most of the fabric was silk. Silk production was HUGE. Well, huge after the 4th century when Silk was available in Japan. Before that, silk was limited to China. There are depictions of silk reeling being done in Japan, as silkworm rearing was done in most households. The “best” silk was still done by professionals, but most households had a steady supply after about 6th century. 2 women working with silk, one using a reeling wheel and the other using a spinning wheeel. A woman and her daughter working on a reeling wheel. The fire heats the water, the hot water losens the fibers on the silk worm cacoons. Yey silk! References Patra, Rita. “History of Japanese Silk.” Patra, September 11, 2020. https://blog.patra.com/2020/09/11/history-of-japanese-silk/ . Women Spinning Silk | etsy. Accessed June 14, 2025. https://www.etsy.com/market/spinning_silk. Hokusai, Katsushika. “Katsushika Hokusai: Woman Spinning Silk: Japan: Edo Period (1615–1868).” The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1790. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/45822.

Supported Spinning - Georgia, India, Japan, Russia, Vietnam Georgia In Georgia, They use beautifully carved wooden one piece supported spindles as their main type of spindle.[1] A really pretty Georgian style spindle. These ones are sold on The Woolery, and I super want to try one![2] India Indian hand spinning was assumed to have been done, but almost no written records survive of the hand spinning process. The takli is a type of supported spindle that has survived to now, but there is no evidence for suspended or drop style spinning. The takli was very small, made of metal, and would have been used to spin silk and cotton fibers super fine.[3] The hand spun tradition is mostly lost wheels became very common in India in the early 1900s.[4] Picture of a takli. This is a supported spindle, very much like the kind I have on display. I'm not very good at it, but I can make decently thin silk threads with it. They just are a little lumpy.[5] Japan Hand spinning in Japan- it was likely supported spinning, done in small dishes or small rocks on the floor. As wheels were pretty common, hand spinning was not likely done by many. [6] Russia Russia primarily used a supported spindle, which is really nice for short staple fibers.[7] A Russian supported spindle. It’s made of purple heartwood. I really want one (It’s purple and spinning!)[8] Vietnam The only spindle type I’m finding evidence of in Vietnam is the Ahka spindle, which is a supported spindle. Very colorful, made from wood.[9] The Ahka spindle was used by the Ahka people, who live in the higher elevations of Vietnam. I love the decorated spindles, and this one is just beautiful and looks like it would be fun to play with, if on the heavy side (not that weight matters as much in supported spinning). References [1] Elizabeth, “Artist Spotlight: Kravelli - A Small Business,” Our blog, July 21, 2023, https://woolery.com/our-blog?p=artist-spotlight-kravelli#:~:text=Or%20its%20importance%20to%20you,the%20majority%20of%20the%20population. [2] Katrina King, “Global Spindles You Should Know About,” Spin Off, August 30, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/global-spindles-you-should-know-about/. [3] Chitra Balasubramaniam, “Threads of Heritage: Understanding the Ceremonial Dhoti,” Spin Off, September 23, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/ceremonial-dhoti/. [4] Schroer, Andrea. “Tahkli Spindle Spinning How To.” Mielke’s Fiber Arts, January 4, 2018. https://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/tahkli-spinning-how-to/ . [5] “Tahkli Spindle - Etsy,” Etsy, accessed June 28, 2025, https://www.etsy.com/market/tahkli_spindle. [6] Patra, Rita. “History of Japanese Silk.” Patra, September 11, 2020. https://blog.patra.com/2020/09/11/history-of-japanese-silk/ . [7] Cecile, “The Spindle Tales: Russian Spindles,” The ways of the whorl, December 12, 2010, https://waysofthewhorl.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/the-spindle-tales-russian-spindles/. [8] Ibid. [9] “Akha Style Spindle.” 2019. The Woolery. 2019. https://woolery.com/akha-style-spindle.html .

In Hand Spinning – Nepal, Philippines Nepal In Nepal, depending on material, the spindle spinning could be done as drop or in hand. Animal fibers were mostly done drop, while plant fibers were mostly done in hand. While this did vary from region to region, this seems to have been fairly consistent across Nepal.[1] Philippines In the Philippines, spindles were mostly in hand done on long thin sticks with little to no whorl.[2] Woman unwinding her spindle. Her niddy noddy is hecking cool and I want one. Spindle is either two parts and the whorl can be removed or has no whorl ever. [3] References [1] Josefin Waltin, “Spinning in Nepal,” Josefin Waltin spinner, January 17, 2018, https://waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/spinning-in-nepal/. [2] John Tewell, “Woman Spinning Thread, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Northwest Luzon, Philippines, 1920-1925,” Flickr, 1920, https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/49572157051/in/photolist-2iBUxef-2iwwgdX-2dYeSvi-QKRvWU-Q6xniD-cqH8cj-7M28W7-7LXapi-aKUKJZ-2prdpZ7. [3] John Tewell, “Woman Spinning Thread, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, Northwest Luzon, Philippines, 1920-1925,” Flickr, 1920, https://www.flickr.com/photos/johntewell/49572157051/in/photolist-2iBUxef-2iwwgdX-2dYeSvi-QKRvWU-Q6xniD-cqH8cj-7M28W7-7LXapi-aKUKJZ-2prdpZ7.

Vietnam Spinning Wheels are hand cranked, designed to be on tables[1] . The only spindle type I’m finding evidence of is the Ahka spindle, which is a supported spindle. Very colorful, made from wood.[2] The Ahka spindle was used by the Ahka people, who live in the higher elevations of Vietnam. I love the decorated spindles, and this one is just beautiful and looks like it would be fun to play with, if on the heavy side (not that weight matters as much in supported spinning). Fibers that are spun in Vietnam are cotton, hemp, and silk. A girl from Vietnam spins on her wheel. Her wheel is canted as if it’s not normally on the table, but was put there for pictures. This is closer to the ones seen in India, but without looking at the “tires” or knowing if this is its normal place, it’s difficult to be sure.[3] References [1] Chronicle, “Vietnamese Girl Spinning Silk by Hand Stock Photo,” Alamy, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.alamy.com/vietnamese-girl-spinning-silk-by-hand-image66156631.html. [2] “Akha Style Spindle.” 2019. The Woolery. 2019. https://woolery.com/akha-style-spindle.html . [3] Chronicle, “Vietnamese Girl Spinning Silk by Hand Stock Photo,” Alamy, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.alamy.com/vietnamese-girl-spinning-silk-by-hand-image66156631.html.

Turkmenistan Spinning It was a bustling center of sericulture in the 4th through 7th centuries CE.[1] Silk and cotton threads seem to be spun on a wheel, while woolen threads are spun on a spindles.[2] Dating to the Sassanian Empire (224 to 651 CE), the fibers found and produced in Turkmenistan were wool, cotton, and silk.[3] During this time period, cotton was spun on a drop spindle.[3] Early silk in Turkmenistan was said to be so fine, that it wasn’t spun, it was just a single strand of silkworm thread. While silk reels were used, neither spindles nor wheels were used on silk in Turkmenistan until after the 8th century.[3] Whorls found in a dig at Gurukly Depe in southeastern Turkmenistan[3] References [1] “History of Turkmenistan,” Wikipedia, June 15, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Turkmenistan . [2] “Turkmens,” Wikipedia, June 14, 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmens. [3] Dominika Maja Kossowska-Janik, “Cotton and Wool: Textile Economy in the SERAKHS Oasis during the Late Sasanian Period, the Case of Spindle Whorls from Gurukly Depe (Turkmenistan),” Ethnobiology Letters 7, no. 1 (December 31, 2016), https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.7.1.2016.682.

Itoguruma Wheel – Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Nepal, North Korea, South Korea Japanese Japanese wheels look a lot like Indian standing charkhras. The wheels were typically larger, and were designed for floor use rather than table use. The other difference is that the Indian charkhras have string “tires” while Japanese wheels have wooden ones. I'm not sure how else to better describe that. The part the drive band goes over is what I'm calling the “tire”, And I'm sure there's a word for it that I don't know. I’m calling them the Itoguruma wheel because they seem to originate in Japan and that’s the Japanese word for them. Japanese women from the late 19th century spinning on a traditional Japanese wheel and reeling wheels. The design is a small souvenir painting of life in Japan.[1] Indonesia Indonesian spinning wheels are called ndatar or ndtaru.[2] The fancy ones would have one or sometimes two statues on them, usually representing Miala Ratu Nggela and Mamu Ratu Ngguku, the first human couple.[3] The ndatar have string wheels and are made to sit on the floor. They are very pretty. A princess’s spinning wheel from Indonesia. Used more for ceremonial clothing than for industrial type use.[4] Super interesting figures, I’m hoping to find more! Laos Wheels made in Southern Laos often feature a naga or a river dragon head for protection.[5] The wheels are “hand operated”[6] . It’s Japanese? That’s so weird. I would have thought Indian, for sure…[7] Oh, it’s tilted too! I feel the need to try and feel the difference on my wheels Nepal Wheels in Nepal are very similar to those of Japan, with spoked wheels that are hand cranked. A woman at her wheel, the drive band is a thread made of cotton, likely scrap from something else. The spindle isn’t really visible, but from what I can see, it’s almost full of thread.[8] Korea Wheels are called Mool Lae in Korean. Hand cranked wheels, designed to be used on the floor. Very similar to Japanese wheels. A mool lae. This one is missing a spindle and drive band, but looks like it could easily be fixed.[9] References [1] Women Spinning Silk | etsy, accessed June 14, 2025, https://www.etsy.com/market/spinning_silk. [2] Georges Breguet, “A Sumba Spinning Wheel: An Instrument, a Work of Art and a Lesson in Philosophy,” Art of the Ancestors, February 15, 2015, https://www.artoftheancestors.com/blog/sumba-spinning-wheel-georges-breguet. [3] Ibid. [4] Ibid. [5] “Weaving of Laos,” Global InCH, accessed June 15, 2025, https://globalinch.org/craft/textiles-of-laos/. [6] Ibid. [7] Tammachat, Using a Traditional Lao Spinning Wheel, September 24, 2009, photograph, Flickr, September 24, 2009, https://www.flickr.com/photos/9255099@N08/3950237653. [8] Jon G Fuller, “A Nepali Woman Spins Wool Thread with a Hand-Cranked Spinning Wheel in the Medieval Newari Village of Khokana, Nepal Stock Photo,” Alamy, April 5, 2013, https://www.alamy.com/a-nepali-woman-spins-wool-thread-with-a-hand-cranked-spinning-wheel-in-the-medieval-newari-village-of-khokana-nepal-image454084442.html. [9] “Very Rare Korean Joseon Dynasty Wood Spinning Wheel ‘Mool Lae,’” eBay, accessed February 6, 2025, https://www.ebay.com/itm/151740507461.

Indian Spinning This is where I started. The wheel they use is called a chakra or charkhra depending on how it’s translated, though the word translates to English as “wheel” so it’s actually not super helpful in looking at things translated from Hindi. There are two main types, a standing and a peti, box, or “book” form.[1] The standing form is the older of the two being written about as early as the 13th century, and it is difficult to tell how much older as not many people wrote about the joys of spinning in their books until later, but it’s been a hot minute. Modernly, the book form is a novelty spinning wheel that is relatively cheap to purchase compared to most wheels and can be found on quite a few websites where spinning wheels are sold, though there are delicately few instructions for them. I have also found instructions for 3D printed book charkas which might be good for classes, but I’m not sure how good they would be for general wear and tear. Book chakras were invented by Gandhi in the 1920-1930. Thus, it's not in SCA period, but they are cool and I totally understand if people want to use them. Hand spinning was assumed to have been done, but almost no written records survive of the hand spinning process. The takli is a type of supported spindle that has survived to now, but there is no evidence for suspended or drop style spinning. The takli was very small, made of metal, and would have been used to spin silk and cotton fibers super fine.[2] The hand spun tradition is mostly lost wheels became very common in India in the early 1900s.[3] Silks are super common to see spun in India. As are cottons. Those are probably the two most common fibers depending on exactly where you are in India (it’s a big place!) with the north seeing a little more silk than the south, though the south would see silk in the cities and wealthier areas. A picture of a full sized standing charkhra. The one on display is a miniature version of this. Most are about 18-24 inches tall, and about 36 inches long.[4] A picture of an open book charkhra. This will disassemble and fold down to be the size of a large book. I've had success spinning wool on it more than cotton or silk, but that might be because I'm more practiced in wool.[5] Remember: No Period, But Fun!! Picture of a takli. This is a supported spindle, very much like the kind I have on display. I'm not very good at it, but I can make decently thin silk threads with it. They just are a little lumpy.[6] References [1] Nakonechny, Joanne. “First Steps in Charkha Spinning.” Spin Off, July 4, 2022. https://spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/ . [2] Chitra Balasubramaniam, “Threads of Heritage: Understanding the Ceremonial Dhoti,” Spin Off, September 23, 2024, https://spinoffmagazine.com/ceremonial-dhoti/. [3] Schroer, Andrea. “Tahkli Spindle Spinning How To.” Mielke’s Fiber Arts, January 4, 2018. https://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/tahkli-spinning-how-to/ . [4] Dinodia Photos. “Mahatma Gandhi Charkha Spinning Wheel India Stock Photo.” Alamy. Accessed February 6, 2025. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-mahatma-gandhi-charkha-spinning-wheel-india-43150626.html . [5] Nakonechny, Joanne. “First Steps in Charkha Spinning.” Spin Off, July 4, 2022. https://spinoffmagazine.com/first-steps-in-charkha-spinning/ . [6] Josefin Waltin, “Spinning Cotton on a Tahkli Spindle,” Josefin Waltin spinner, November 3, 2018, https://waltin.se/josefinwaltinspinner/spinning-cotton-on-a-tahkli-spindle/.