Preparing Spindle and Whorl

When you unite the spindle stick and removable whorl, you'll have to ponder where the whorl will fit best.  Many spindle sticks have their tapered ends at the bottom.  This is where the whorl will slide on.  I suggest using a tiny hair rubber band to fix below the whorl to 'encourage' the whorl to stay in place.

Whorls with tapered holes should be firmly jammed onto the bottom taper, but can still loosen in spinning mode. When they loosen they act rather like a curved ball, spinning out in a wide circle before they hit the floor, glass, dirt, rug, etc.  This makes them hard to locate and explains why many ancient whorls are found in widespread locations.

Once the whorl and just-in-case rubber band are in place, the singles 'leader' yarn can be put on.  See the pixs below for 3 different setups for the leader attachment
Method A & B: Bottom-weighted Spindle, aka drop spindle).
Method A.

How to Hitch a Singles Leader to a Bottom-Weighted Suspended Spindle (Method A.)

Method B.

This method is useful for heavy buildup of yarn in cop form.  As the spindle gets heavier, you can remove the whorl entirely and wrap the leader below the cop itself.  It is best not to half-hitch at the bottom of the whorl to save time.  The simple wrap is easier to release each time and can add stability to the yarn wrapping and whorl securing.

Method C.  Upending a Suspended Spindle to spin in Top-Weighted Mode

On many suspended spindles, it is possible to turn the spindle upside down and use TWO Half-

Hitches to secure the leader and whorl.  This only works is enough space is left at the former

top of the spindle to flick or thigh-roll the spindle to make twist.  Sometimes the space below the

whorl in bottom-weighted position is too sharply tapered to make this upside transformation

work.

Spindles with removable whorls found here