Spindle Ladder

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What do you do when you have too many spindles and too many scarves?

I don’t get rid of them…

I made a spindle ladder to hold the scarves.

Okay, so far the scarves haven’t made the ladder yet.  The ladder is so much fun, I’m still decorating it and taking photos!

It turned out so cool!  I kind of like it simply leaning.

We all need a spindle ladder!  Right??

The spindles

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If you follow me, you know my favorite junk item is a broken spindle.  Above are the spindles I pulled out and cut to 14 1/2 inches.  I sanded and clean them.

Yep, cleaned them right at the kitchen sink!

To see, 10 plus things to do with a broken spindle click here. Then click back, because, this a fun project.

Pine boards

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I had leftover 1 by 2 pine boards from a project for our Humane Society.  The project is a “wall of hope” with cork boards holding 200 envelopes.  The envelopes were art canvases for school children and number 1 to 200.  The envelopes can be purchased for the amount on the envelope.  When all envelopes are sold the Humane Society receives over $20,000!  I made eight easels to hold the boards.

Anyway, back to the spindle ladder!

The Steps

1:  Cut two 1 by 2 boards to six feet.  Collect 5 spindles and cut to approximately 14 1/2 inches.

2:  Aged them using tea and “ironed vinegar.”  Click to read the steps to age wood here.

3:  Pre~drill holes for nails {I used 1 1/2 inch nails} along the 2-inch side every 12 inches.

4:  Arranged the spindles.

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5:  Add a dollop of wood glue to the ends of the first spindle.  Place the spindle between the 1 by 2 and line up with the nail.  Add a clamp and wipe up any glue.  I didn’t want to paint the spindle ladder so it was important to clean up the glue.

6:  Continue above on all the spindles.  You will need five long clamps for this project, but clamps are a great item to borrow from neighbors.  I’d let you borrow mine if we were neighbors!

7:  Place your toes {hopefully you’re wearing work boots!} on the 1 by 2 boards to hold in place and nail through into the spindles.

Done!

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Remember I had plans to sit the ladder in our closet to hang scarves??

Well I like it simply leaning here in the kitchen.

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Or in the living room holding my rustic arrow sweater heart pillow.

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Here’s a collection of close ups of the ladder.

If you’re not yet bored with spindles, here are additional ideas for using an old spindle.  Rustic Arrow Sweater Pillow, DIY Fall Decor, Old Spindle!

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So far…it’s back leaning in the kitchen…

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and my scarves are still crammed into a drawer.

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7 Comments

  1. Leave those scarves crammed in that drawer and use the spindle ladder just like it is!!! I can also see herbs hanging on it in the summer to dry- or chili peppers, garlic and onions to dry, or hand dipped candles (you do hand dip your candles, don’t you?!) I have a basketful of spindles, but they are all the same. What does it say about me that I don’t want them all to match haha?!

    Another great idea Jeanette!

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