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Plying spindle
The plying spindle of the inhabitants of Transylvania is used everywhere where the spinning wheel, which is otherwise used for plying, is missing. Except for the iron hook the spindle is made of wood and is handled slightly differently from the wire- or shoemakers spindle. With the help of the plying spindle usually long threads are twisted together, which are wound into balls and placed in dishes on the floor (Fig. 99). In addition to the yarn these vessels usually contain water, as wet yarn can be plied better and more evenly. The yarns pass through a hook nailed to the ceiling (Fig. 99) and the spindle is brought to speed by rubbing it between the palms of the hands. Sometimes the hook on the ceiling of the room is missing. Then the outstretched left hand holds the yarns, while the right hand rolls the spindle up (or down) the right thigh, which is slightly raised for this purpose.
(translation by the ABT)
From: Mauritius von Kimakowicz-Winnicki, Spinn- und Webewerkzeuge: Entwicklung und Anwendung in vorgeschichtlicher Zeit Europas. Mannus-Bibliothek 2, Verlag Curt Kabitzsch (Leipzig 1.ed. 1910 / 2. unpubl.ed. 1930), 60-62.