Craft Spinning Wheels

A Basic Guide to Craft Spinning Wheels

Spinning wheels have been used to turn fiber into yarn for over 1,000 years. While spinning on a wheel used to be a necessity, contemporary crafters in the Western world use this ingenious piece of equipment as a source of enjoyment. If you're a fiber artist who is looking for a new or vintage craft spinning wheel of your own, check out the many affordable options on eBay.

There are many kinds of spinning wheels. A few types include:

• Saxony wheel: The Saxony is the wheel you're probably familiar with from children's fairy tales. The flyer, which is the part that spins the fiber into yarn, is located next to the wheel. The frame is sloped and there are usually three legs.
• Castle wheel: A castle spinning wheel features a more compact design with the flyer sitting above the wheel. This type of wheel can have three or four legs and may have a traditional or modern look.
• Modern wheel: Modern spinning wheels combine the concept of a traditional wheel with the benefits of modern drive engineering. They typically have a more contemporary look than other wheels.
• Charkha wheel: The charkha is a small wheel used to spin short-staple fibers, like cotton. This type of wheel is cranked by hand.
• Electric wheel: Electric spinning wheels are just what they sound like: spinning wheels powered by electricity rather than treadle. Electric spinning wheels are small and tend to look somewhat industrial.

There are several factors that can make selecting a spinning wheel easy. First, consider your experience level. If you're just starting out with spinning, you may want to go with a single-drive as opposed to double-drive spinning wheel. On a single drive, the drive band only goes around the wheel once rather than twice. A single-drive spinning wheel allows you to spin thicker yarn more easily. It is also easier for you to adjust the take-up speed on a single drive, which is helpful for beginners.

What type of yarn do you plan to work with? If you adore big, chunky yarns, you'll want a spinning wheel with a large bobbin for spinning thick yarns. If you prefer spinning thin threads for crafts like weaving, you can go with a small bobbin. If you like spinning various fibers and thicknesses, look for a spinning wheel with interchangeable equipment. Some spinning wheels can be converted from one treadle to two treadles or accommodate different bobbin and flyer kits. Finally, you should consider whether you'll want to travel with your spinning wheel. If so, choose a folding spinning wheel or smaller spinning equipment, like a charkha.

When you're choosing a new or pre-owned craft spinning wheel, there are various options on eBay. Here are some categories that eBay offers:

• Brand: Ashford, Kromski, and Ettrick are three brands you can select. You can also go with an unbranded spinning wheel.
• Type: eBay also offers different types. Choices include castle wheels (vertical), electric wheels, Saxony wheels (horizontal), and accessories, like spinning wheel oil.
• Condition: You can find new, used, vintage, and antique spinning wheels.