Find your Spinning Wheel

Spinning your own yarn gives you complete freedom over the yarn you create. From soft and chunky wool to fine, tightly spun yarns, every choice you make along the way influences the final result. A spinning wheel makes this process faster, smoother and more consistent. But how does a spinning wheel actually work? What is the difference between a single and double treadle? And which spinning wheel is right for you?

Spinning is the process of turning loose fibres into yarn.

Fibres such as wool are drawn out and twisted together. This twist gives the fibres strength and holds them together to form a continuous yarn. The yarn can then be wound onto a bobbin and later used for knitting, weaving, crochet or other textile projects.

Woolmakers Bliss spinningwheel

The beauty of hand spinning is that you decide what your yarn will become. By changing the amount of fibre, twist and tension, you can create anything from soft, bulky yarns to fine and strong yarns. Different fibres also produce very different results. Wool is the most common choice, but alpaca, mohair, silk and many other natural and blended fibres can also be spun.

A drop spindle, a spinning wheel or an e-spinner, they all transform fibre into yarn. The difference is in the experience. Find the way of spinning that feels right for you.

Woolmakers Twister Drop Spindle

Drop Spindle
The simplest way to turn fibre into yarn. Small, portable and perfect for discovering how fibre and twist work together.

Woolmakers Bliss spinningwheel

Spinning Wheel
For comfortable and continuous spinning. Your feet keep the wheel moving while your hands control the fibre and yarn.

E-Spinner
The same craft, without treadling. An electric motor creates the rotation so you can concentrate entirely on your fibre and yarn.

Woolmakers E-Spinner — currently in development.

Once you choose a spinning wheel, there are a few things that determine how it feels and behaves. The number of treadles, the tension system and the spinning ratio all influence your spinning experience. There is no single best configuration, it depends on what and how you like to spin.

Single Treadle – Double Treadle
Operated with one foot. Simple, relaxed and with the freedom to change the position of your other foot. Operated with both feet. The alternating movement creates a balanced rhythm that many spinners enjoy during longer spinning sessions

Irish Tension – Scotch Tension
The bobbin is driven while the flyer rotates more freely. IRT gives a relatively direct take-up and offers a simple and intuitive spinning experience. The flyer is driven while a separate brake controls the bobbin. SCT gives you finer control over take-up and makes it easy to adjust your wheel for different fibres and yarns.

Ratios
The spinning ratio tells you how many times the flyer rotates for one revolution of the drive wheel. Higher ratios add twist faster and are useful for finer yarns, while lower ratios add twist more slowly and work well for thicker yarns. Different ratios allow you to adapt your wheel to the yarn you want to create.

Meet the Woolmakers Spinning Family