A spindle is a type of tool that has been used for thousands of years to spin fibers into yarn or thread. It consists of a long, thin rod with a weighted or balanced bottom end called a whorl, which helps to keep the fibers twisted and even as they are drawn out. The spindle is held vertically while the fibers are drafted (twisted) by pulling them gently in one direction and then letting them snap back into place under their own weight. This process is repeated until a long, continuous strand of fiber is formed, which can then be wound onto a bobbin or spun further to make yarn. Spindles have been used for spinning fibers such as cotton, flax, and wool, and are still commonly used today in many parts of the world for handspinning textiles.