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Ask Tara: How does a spinning wheel work?

By Tara, on January 15th, 2009

Ask Tara is a  weekly-ish feature in which I attempt to answer your questions about spinning, dyeing or life with a dog that sneaks into your videos. If you have a question, ask it in the comments and I’ll answer it here with either a post or a video!

The question I get asked the most often is pretty much the same thing, from a spinners and non-spinners alike. The wheel, it’s always all about the wheel.

The spinners ask: What wheel do you use?
The non-spinners ask: How does it work?

I give a little spiel on how it works to anyone who looks twice at me spinning at craft shows, but I’ve never shared it with you!

Instead of writing for 1000 years about how I love my wheel and how it works, how about a video?

So now I ask YOU: what kind of wheel do you use? I’d love to hear about it in the comments and if you make your own video, before sure to share the link!

Do you have a question about the wheel I didn’t answer? Just let me know in the comments!

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  • http://shealynnbenner.blogspot.com Shealynn Benner

    Thank you for showing us this!!! And, you made it sound SO much easier than the books do!!! :) I just got 2 spinning wheels! [Seen on my blog] – an OLD one, and a Louet. CAN NOT wait to get to it.

    Thanks for your help!

  • http://blondechicken.blogspot.com blondechicken

    Yay! I’m so glad you found it helpful! Let me know if you have any questions!

    Tara

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  • http://blondechicken.blogspot.com blondechicken

    Oh, I’ll have to check that out! My wheel was just at $300 (but I got it at a local shop and threw in lessons and some fiber) but the jumbo flyer (which I totally forgot to mention in the video!) was really expensive when I decided to buy it later :(

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  • http://knittinghands.blogspot.com Erin

    I spin on a Fidelus single treadle wheel from Heavenly Handspinning (or Ford4Him on Etsy). It was a very affordable alternative to the commercial brands. Actually, I can't imagine being more happy with another wheel – mine has been very easy to learn on and I spent under $300 for the wheel and extra bobbins.
    Someday I will upgrade to an Ashford traditional perhaps – but for now, I'm quite happy.

  • http://dangandblast.blogspot.com Marguerite

    So interesting … all I've ever done is the drop-spindle (don't know the proper name for it … got it in a village in Bolivia!), but that makes the wheel look so much nicer and easier and more pleasant…

    And, hooray for your feed! :)

  • knitplaywithfire

    Let's see right now I have a Matchelss. But I am looking at a Lendrum or a Kromski for a second (or even third) wheel.

  • http://www.goddessleonie.com Goddess Leonie

    Hey possum! (I'm part of the Kitchen tribe)
    I adore your About Page… and love that you've got it linking to your videos…
    and OMG… I adore your videos!
    And I too have a dog that video-bombs all my videos! Twiiiiiins!
    Anyway, I wanted to say HOLA! and… YOU ROCK!
    :)

  • http://blondechicken.blogspot.com blondechicken

    Thank you so very much! I checked out your About page and it is rockin'!
    Thanks for stopping by!

    Tara

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  • http://silverthunder.com Chuck LaBresh

    Hey Tara:
    The new updated look on your site looks great! Nice job. Found it because some folks found our site from the link you posted here, and I wanted to see what you were up to. Just wanted to thank you for sending a few folks to look at our site. And thanks again for your spinning demonstrations at the farm last year. It was great. Extremely helpful for folks to see. And beautiful yarns! Looking forward to having you back again in 2009, hopefully a few times, if you're up for it.
    As we say here in Tennessee: “uhhh – preesh – eee – eight – cha!”
    Chuck

  • http://www.alpacafarmgirl.com Alpaca Farmgirl

    Thanks! Such a helpful video.

  • MissK68

    Love the vid. Who’s the cute, sleeping puppy unaffected by your spinning?

  • http://www.k9kitchenbarkery.webs.com/ Chelsey

    Thanks for showing us all that..I noticed your doggie sitting beside you, and I make gourmet dog treats, and was wondering if you would like to try some? I will email you my site, and some pictures. Thanks, Chelsey

  • http://www.k9kitchenbarkery.webs.com/ Chelsey

    Oh yeah, your spin wheel is a Kiwi huh? nice one! see ya :)

  • Mssewbad

    I'm saving up for my wheel! You're my inspiration! Spinning is a beautiful art, I hope this generation can keep it alive. Awesome Tara!

  • Mssewbad

    I'm saving up for my wheel! You're my inspiration! Spinning is a beautiful art, I hope this generation can keep it alive. Awesome Tara!

  • Favor

    do you knit or crochet with the yarn that you make ?

  • http://blondechicken.blogspot.com blondechicken

    Of course!
    You can see my most recent handspun project here:
    http://www.blondechickenboutique.com/index.php/happy-hat-kit-and-knitalong/

    Or by sifting through all the patterns I’ve discussed here:
    http://www.blondechickenboutique.com/index.php/category/patterns/

    Thanks for asking!

    Tara

    Blonde Chicken Boutique
    Local, Sustainable, Colorful Yarn

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