Spindles are wooden stakes that are used to spin wool and other natural fibres into thread for weaving. A spindle can be used alone or with a spindle whorl to wind the fibre around the shaft of the spindle. Spindles and spindle whorls are made in a range of sizes for use with different types of fibre, such as cotton or wool. The whorl is removed after spinning, and the finished threads can then be wound around the spindle.

A spindle whorl is a small disc that is attached to a spindle, and used as a weight to keep the spindle revolving at a high speed. This helps to ensure that the fibres are consistent in thickness and not 'lumpy' in appearance. Latin American spindle whorls are typically made out of ceramic or stone. In the past, whorls were sometimes made from broken pieces of pottery that were rounded off and drilled through the centre. In recent times, it is more common for spindle whorls to be made from moulds, so they are more symmetrical and create finer threads.

Many spindle whorls are decorated with incised images, and as they spin the images blend together, perhaps mesmerizing the person spinning. In Colombia, some spindle whorls have pebbles inserted into them and as they spin they emit a rhythmic humming.