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With the type of spindle called Turkish spindle (kirmen) the whorl is not made of one piece, but of arms. The cop is not wound above (or below) the whorl but is built by wrapping the yarn crosswise around it.
Unlike most other types of spindles, the Turkish spindle is made from independent parts and can be easily disassembled. The whorl consists of two pieces, which slide into each other to form four arms, and the shaft runs through both pieces, stabilizing the whole.
Once the spindle is full the cop can be removed by sliding the whorl and cop up and off the shaft, then pushing the arms out, thinnest one first. When the arms are removed, the cop stands as a stable ball of yarn, meaning that it can be used straight away without having to wind it off the spindle. But there are also other types of spindles to be found in Turkey.
Even linguistically spindle types are distinguished.
İğ : large hand spindle with heavy spindle whorl at the lower end to keep up the momentum [also name of the spindle shaft – note by the ABT].
Kirman : Hand spindle with cross bars instead of a wooden flywheel around which the spun wool can be wound. By the Turkmens of Kirikkale called "tengerek" and in Kayseri and Konya "eğirtmeç".
Öreke : big stick with multi-pronged end, to which the unspun wool is attached. This "fleece-holder" is stuck into the belt so that the arm does not tire during spinning. [= distaff. Word sometimes also used for top-whorl-spindles – note by the ABT]
(English translations from the German text by the ABT.)
Definitions from: Belkis Balpinar Acar, Kilim – Cicim – Zili – Sumak. Türkische Flachgewebe (Istanbul 1983).
There is also an English version of the book: Belkis Balpinar Acar, Kilim – Cicim – Zili – Sumak. Turkish Flatweaves (Istanbul 1983).
Other names that appear in the context of Turkish spindles:
Ağırşak : whorl
Çengel : hook
Teşi : Another name for a top-whorl-spindle
urkish spindle types and names for parts of the spindle.
Wooden spindles from Turkey with quadrangular whorls. The spindle on the right side is a top-whorl-spindle with an iron hook. Right: Length 9,64"; Left: Length 10,07".
Spindle bags
Of course you need something to keep your spindles in, especially if you are a member of nomadic people. That's what so-called spindle bags are for. Probably not every bag that is called a spindle bag today was used to store spindles. On the contrary - the discussion among the collectors of oriental carpets and fabric is sometimes quite intense, and the elongated pockets, which consist of a decorative front and back surfaces of mostly plain weave, are thought of as possible quivers, sometimes as protective covers for the ends of tent struts during migrations. Anyway – at least this Turkish woman thought that her spindles are stowed away safely: