Reddit mentions: The best spinning books

I'm sending this question to a friend who is a spinner, a SCAdian and history buff, and a librarian. If she can't turn up an answer, it's probably false information.

I'm not as much of a history buff, but "medieval" indicates roughly 5th to 15th century, and spinning wheels were first used in Europe around 1300, and those weren't like the ones you see today. They were big walking wheels with a spindle. I've never spun on those, but I have heard that the results are far more woolen in nature, so it's not something I personally would trust as warp. They'd use one hand to spin the wheel and the other to long draw the fiber. And I have no idea if they plied those singles.

It's thought that Da Vinci invented the double drive system, though they weren't produced until much later. This would mean that the earliest a truly versatile wheel could have been made in Europe was high Renaissance period. Possibly earlier in the east and middle east - I haven't looked into those time periods or their fiber equipment (maybe I should). So, the short answer to your question is that what you think of when you hear spinning wheel didn't exist until almost 200 years after the time period we're discussing. Spindles were still the best way to get a firm, even thread.

I think supported drop spindles are still a great way to spin very fine high twist singles. I don't personally like them - I chose a production style saxony wheel instead for high twist spinning - but the results that some talented spinners can get from them don't lie. If the choices are a spindle or a great wheel, I'll take the spindle.

Editing to add: I found one reference to the law here and it appears to be specific to one small geographic location. I'd be shocked to find that such laws were common. Also note that this article indicates flyer wheels were invented in the early 1500's, so early renaissance period. Those still wouldn't have had treadles. Keep in mind that the source is an SCAdian, some of whom are very academic, but this isn't necessarily an academic (or accurate) article. It's just the only thing I could find referencing a law about spinning warp. It mentions a book, though. If you really wanted to go down a rabbit hole, find that book. It of print, used editions here.

Have you come across the thrifty fox plans yet? I have a pre-built wheel that I adore (a spinolution; if you want to check them out, their designs are pretty unique and innovative, and they also offer blueprints)but I always hear thrifty fox brought up when people are looking to build their own fairly cheaply without having to reinvent the wheel, if you will :P

ETA: I can't believe I typed this up without mentioning Alden Amos. He's basically required reading on this project.

My friend, you have just stepped into a minefield. Get a helmet, and start reading some books. There is much for you to learn.

You aren't wrong, you're right about most is the things you say. It's why I ended up studying education policy in graduate school. Unfortunately, the more we know the more helpless we become.

Here's some required reading to get your feet wet:

http://www.amazon.com/Spinning-Wheels-Politics-School-Reform/dp/0815736355/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458110858&sr=1-1&keywords=Spinning+wheels

http://www.amazon.com/Tinkering-toward-Utopia-Century-Public/dp/0674892836/ref=pd_sim_14_28?ie=UTF8&dpID=51DQYN2V19L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR105%2C160_&refRID=0C983NQYAYFNVQ68XQT5

http://www.amazon.com/Distinction-Social-Critique-Judgement-Taste/dp/0674212770/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458110942&sr=1-1&keywords=Bourdieu%27s

http://www.amazon.com/Reign-Error-Privatization-Movement-Americas/dp/0345806352/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458111017&sr=1-14&keywords=Education+policy