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You are here: Home / DIY/Craft Projects / repurposed/upcycled / How To Make A Spindle Ladder Afghan Rack for Throws & Afghans

How To Make A Spindle Ladder Afghan Rack for Throws & Afghans

March 15, 2017 By: Linda @ Mixed Kreations22 Comments

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I have been wanting a new afghan rack for years now, but being cheap I didn’t want to pay the price. The one that I have been wanting was a sturdy black wrought iron afghan rack, which are a little pricey. Over the last several months I have been seeing ladder afghan racks, and even ladders used as towel racks. I have come to like those over the wrought iron afghan racks, they take up less room. So, I have decided to make my own spindle ladder afghan rack, using some of the spindles that I have been hoarding.

Before I get to showing you how to make your own spindle ladder afghan rack I would like to take you down memory lane and share a funny story that happened years ago, to my ex-husband, a ladder, and myself.

We were both in our early twenties when one day the ex went onto the roof of the house for some kind of repairs. Now remember we are young, and don’t really have a lot of experience with home maintenance, and me with extension ladders.

The ex moved to the other side of the roof and asked me to bring the ladder around to the other side of the house. The ladder that I was moving was and extension ladder. So, I picked up the ladder and carried it around to the front of the house, and set it up leaning against the house.

When the ex was through with whatever he was doing, he came on over to the ladder, and while I was holding the extension ladder in place he stepped on to the ladder. Now remember I said I was young, and apparently, I didn’t know anything about extension ladders because when the ex stepped onto the ladder down went the extended part of the ladder, and down went the ex.

Next thing I remember was we were all laying on the ground, the ladder, the ex-husband, and myself. We laid there a minute, then asked each other if we were ok, then looked around to see if anyone saw what happened. Then we broke out into laughing fits while lying there on the ground.

Luckily no one was hurt, and I still have my fingers. This could have turned out really bad, so we were really lucky. I have come a long way since then, but to this day I am still leery of extension ladders.

Now let’s move on to how to make a Spindle Ladder Afghan Rack.

How to make a spindle ladder rack to hold afghans.
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spindle ladder afghan rack

Material List For Spindle Ladder Afghan Rack

***This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure for more info.***

* 2 – 7′ – 2″ x 2″ pieces of pine for rails
* 6 wooden spindles
* Wood Glue
* Palm Sander
* Drill press and bit
* Bungee cord
* Wood Stain
* Chalk paint of your choice
* Rubber mallet
* Tape measure
* Pencil
* Square

How To Make A Spindle Ladder Afghan Rack

spindle ladder afghan rack

I washed my wooden spindles.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Then I marked off the 7′ pieces of wood where I wanted to place my spindles. I spaced them at 12″ intervals using a square to make sure both pieces are marked the same, and in the center of the wood.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Next I used a drill bit just a little bit larger then the ends of my spindles, and drilled the 12 holes, 6 in each piece of wood. I used a drill press to keep all my holes the same depth, but if you don’t have a drill press you can add a piece of masking tape to your bit at the depth that you want. Then just drill as deep as the bottom edge of the masking tape.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Now stain your ladder rails with the stain of your choice. Some of the stain will show through your finished ladder, unless you just want to paint it a soil color.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Using wood glue and my rubber mallet I started adding my wooden spindles. Squirt some glue in each hole, then gentle hammer your spindles into the holes of one 7′ rail. Next place the other rail flat with holes facing up, add your glue and while holding rail with spindles already attached place loose ends into holes, then gently hammer them into place.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Add a bungee cord on one end to hold spindles in place until the glue dries.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Add another bungee cord to the other end to hold in place while drying. Let set overnight.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Once dried I removed the bungee cords from my spindle ladder afghan rack, then gave it a coat of chalk paint. Leaving some of the stain showing through.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Here is the finished spindle ladder, I’m sorry about my photo. I took the ladder outside hoping to get a clearer photo. Notice how when I connected the spindles I turned each one so that every other one was opposite from the one it’s next too, because the two ends are different.

spindle ladder afghan rack

Here is my finished spindle ladder afghan rack with just some of my afghans. It sure takes up a lot less room then the large wooden one that I had made years ago. I am loving how it turned out.

Have you made any ladder racks to use for afghans, or in the bathroom for towels?

More Wood Projects You May Enjoy!

Wood chair turned shelf
Wood sign and farmhouse style tray
Rustic wood shelf


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diy spindle ladder afghan rack

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Comments

  1. michelle says

    March 17, 2017 at 6:03 am

    LOL Linda, I loved the story you shared and I’m so glad nothing bad happened with the extension ladder. It must have been quite frightening for both of you when it collapsed. I love you new spindle ladder and they way you switched the spindles around. It kinda makes in more uniform. I don’t know if that’s the right word, but I’m hoping you get what I’m trying to say 😉

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:13 pm

      Thanks Michell! It was frightening, but then it was hilarious, just glad no one see it. Yes I think it made it look more uniformed by turning the spindles opposite ways.

      Reply
  2. Terri Steffes says

    March 20, 2017 at 9:09 am

    This is super cute. I have a number of afghans and quilts made by relatives. What a nice way to display them.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 20, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      Thanks Terri! I love the ladder rack because it takes up a lot less room.

      Reply
  3. Sarah - Craft Invaders says

    March 20, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    Great idea, I’d love one in our bathroom – the spindles are beautiful!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 21, 2017 at 5:20 am

      Thank you Sarah! I really love it, takes up less room than my old one did. I may make one for the bathroom as well if we ever get through updating it.

      Reply
  4. Mary-the boondocks blog says

    March 21, 2017 at 8:02 am

    What a funny story Linda. Luckily for you everything turned out ok and you can look back on it and laugh. We have all been there making mistakes and learning from them. Your spindle ladder is really beautiful. I’m glad you made it instead of buying one. Your creation has so much character.

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      March 23, 2017 at 4:31 pm

      Thanks Mary! I think we always learned the hard way. I’ll save the gas and pile of wood for another time. LOL
      I am glad I made this one, and it really was a lot easier using the spindles then I thought that it would be.

      Reply
  5. Wendi @ H2OBungalow says

    March 30, 2017 at 5:34 am

    Love blanket ladders and I haven’t seen one made with spindles yet! Sweet!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      April 4, 2017 at 7:10 am

      Thanks Wendi! I was amazed at how easy it was to make, and how sturdy it turned out.

      Reply
  6. Carol says

    May 1, 2017 at 10:58 am

    I remember y’all telling us that after it happened, Linda. And us all laughing!
    Back then I don’t think either one of us owned a level because we put in shelves at your house. We put a soup can on the shelf & when it quit rolling, we knew the shelf was level

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 1, 2017 at 4:36 pm

      LOL, we did do some crazy things when we were young. When you don't have a tool that you need, you just improvise with what you have. Like with the soup can. 😀

      Reply
  7. Sam @ Raggedy Bits says

    May 2, 2017 at 12:39 am

    What a great idea! I love that you have repurposed those beautiful spindles!! I would love one of these

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      May 2, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      Thank you Sam! I had planned on making it out of wood two by two’s when I remembered my spindles and decided to use those and so happy that I did. It was so easy, and I love how it turned out.

      Reply
  8. Katrin says

    July 20, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Oh no! I´m glad no one was hurt that day and that you both could laugh about it 😉 I really like your spindle ladder, what a creative idea! Those spindles give it so much charm!!!

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      July 22, 2017 at 4:39 am

      Thank you Katrin! It was funny once it was all over, but it sure could of turned out so different.

      Reply
  9. Macs says

    September 19, 2017 at 11:35 am

    Please be extra careful next time. So good to know no one was hurt. I like the ladder with wood spindles. You can just go get an unused pieces of it from an old furniture if there is. What a nice way in displaying Afghans. Thank you for sharing

    Reply
    • Linda @ Mixed Kreations says

      September 22, 2017 at 6:55 am

      Thanks Macs! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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