Turning of the week for January 12, 2026

[Emiliano Achaval]

It didn't take me long today to find the TOTW. I had several pieces listed in my sketchbook. But I kept going back to "Magnetic Yarn Spinner". The work immediately invoked childhood memories. I remember my grandma and my Mom always knitting wool clothing for everyone. I still have one of the heavy wool sweaters Grandma made.
I would love it if someone would commission one; it looks like a lot of fun to make. I would probably ask the customer to let me make some videos and pictures, LOL.
Congratulations to Larry Copas for this week's TOTW honors.
I would like to hear a bit more about this and/or see it in action.

 

[Larry Copas]

Thank you for picking my work as TOTW!

I always try to make Christmas gifts and saw a picture of a magnetic yarn spinner online. Thought it would make the perfect present for my sister who is a life long weaver. They work by having a rare earth magnet in the top hoop and another in the hanging spindle. I found some 5 pound rated magnets on eBay and off to the races.

The spinners I saw online all had hoops sawn out of a board. Besides being weak due to grain direction they were clunky so I decided to steam bend the hoop. The rest of the spinner was just easy woodturning.

A few more pictures.