Hi all im new to this and the spinning wheel.
So can anyone tell me the best spinning wheel for a beginner.
I am looking for a easy and basic spinning wheel to set up and use not a hard one.
Two i been told are the best for a beginner one is the prelude wheel and the other is traditional spinning wheel which do you think is best for a beginner please help me.
Thanks all.
Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Lothians, Scotland
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject:
Hi Sue, I am a relatively new spinner myself. I started with a drop spindle last year and have only had my own wheel up and running for a few weeks (if you look at my blog you'll get a technicolour view of the plaster cast on my broken ankle!).
I looked around for a while, joined my local guild who generously let me try all their wheels, and actually treadled them for me so I could get my hands working without having to do the feet at the same time.
I ended up choosing an Ashford Kiwi, which cost £140 new. Again, there are pictures on the blog of it in component parts as well as fully constructed. Spinning Sues blog also has photos of her wheel "in bits"... it's handy to see what they look like unbuilt. The only bit I had probems with was getting the split pin through which holds the wheel itself on it's spindle.
I tried the traditional too and it was a nice wheel as well. The shop I mostly go to sometimes has second hand traditionals at under £100 and they have been checked over so you know you aren't getting a dud.
I looked for second hand for ages on ebay but didn't have any luck at all, but I know others who have been successful there.
My guild had a "loan wheel" which I borrowed, your local guild may have one too, and this would be a good way to learn without actually having to buy a wheel until you know what you really need.
A lot of people regard the Kiwi as a student wheel which spinners outgrow once they have got some speed up, but I want to experiment with the wierd and wonderful yarns such as those on some of the sites posted in the websites section, so I'm not too fussed about speed.
The other thing to consider is whether you want a single or a double treadle. I found the double to be easier, the single made my back feel squint. Wheels on ebay tend to be single, just because they are older, I think. Having said that, now I'm used to the Kiwi, I can use it one-footed.
Joined: 02 Jul 2006 Posts: 32 Location: East Lothian, Scotland.
Posted: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:
I think there are several basic questions to ask yourself when thinking about buying a wheel.
First and most importantly...what kind of yarn do you want to make? Some wheels are better at others for spinning fine yarns, for example, and some are better at thick yarns. Other wheels can do everything...but you have to buy the relevant accessories. It pays to think in advance what you`d like to do.
Budget...how much do you have to spend?
New or second hand? Second hand wheels are usually cheaper but can come with problems, plus you might not be able to get the correct spares.
Space? Upright wheels are more compact than the traditional wide Saxony styles. If you live in a tiny house, you don`t want a massive wheel.
Are you intending to travel with it, to Guild meetings for example? Some wheels fold for transport.
Aesthetics? Many people hate the streamlined modern wheels, others dislike the ornate old fashioned ones.
Double treadle or single, as Natalie says? Usually it`s a matter of preference, but occasionally a new spinner might have health problems in their knees or hips that would be better with a specific type of treadle.
There`s not such a wide range of wheels commonly availible in the UK as there is in the USA, btw. So if you can give us a better idea of what your needs and wants are, we can suggest what might be best. _________________ http://spinningfishwife.blogspot.com/
I think that the Fishwife has pretty much got it taped with that answer, very well put m'dear The only thing I would add is that there is always a good trade in second hand wheels so if you later decide your first wheel is not the one you REALLY wanted then sell it on and get another, but at least it will have got you started
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The only thing I would add is that there is always a good trade in second hand wheels so if you later decide your first wheel is not the one you REALLY wanted then sell it on and get another, but at least it will have got you started 