Different Types of Spinning Wheels

If you are a fan of handspun yarn, learning to use a spinning wheel will be an engaging hobby. It can also relieve your stress and help you enjoy a quiet time at home. But there are many things to learn as a beginner and one of the first things is understanding what type of spinning wheel is best to start with. In this article, we are explaining some of the common types so you can get an idea of what is available on the market.

Spinning wheels are categorized according to the body style and some of the main types you will come across are modern, Saxony, castle and Norwegian. The traditional spinning wheel design you have seen is the Saxony style and there are many Saxony antique spinning wheels that are functional and will also be a unique decorative element.

Generally, these spinning wheels have 3 legs with one or two pedals. The wheels come in single or double drive with Irish or Scottish tension. Ashford spinning wheels are a reputed brand and you will find they come in Saxony and a number of different styles. Use fine and medium weight yarns with a Saxony style spinning wheel as it comes with a small bobbin size. However, there are attachments that will enable you to spin bulky yarn with this.

Norwegian spinning wheels are similar in appearance to Saxony wheels but they come with 4 legs. You can use them the same way you would use a Saxony wheel. You can use this to spin linen n fine wool. You may not be able to find this type of spinning wheel easily so you will have to look for antique models. If you are looking for something lightweight and portable, you can look into folding wheels. They come in a castle wheel design usually and are a great option for tiny house dwellers.

To increase your productivity, you can use an electric spinner and this is easier to handle as well. Great wheels have a very distinctive large wheel and they don’t have a flyer. This style has been used for a long time. This is also called a walking wheel as the spinning is carried out when you walk some distance away from it when the wheel turns. You can also turn the wheel by hand. This type of spinning wheel has a lot of power so you can actually carry out production with this.

A castle spinning wheel can be identified given its vertical shape as the wheel is placed below the flyer. You can adjust the spinning rations of the wheels which gives you a lot of control over how twisted the resulting yarn will be. This style of spinning wheel is very versatile so you will be able to try out different spinning styles and use so many different types of fibres.

So it is a great model to begin with and understand your preferences. You can even use this wheel to spin different types of materials that are not commonly used such as paper and scraps of fabric. You can also use this to spin with bulky yarn.