Flyers, Bobbins and Whorls The design and fittings of a spinning wheel have a significant influence on the types of yarn it can produce most easily. This is one reason why many hand spinners own more than one wheel. The working unit on most modern spinning wheels consists of the flyer (the ‘U’-shaped piece), the bobbin […]
Tag Archives: Spinning Wheels
03
Sep
Sep
Understanding the Parts of a Spinning Wheel: A Beginner’s Guide Spinning wheels have been around for centuries, transforming fibre into a yarn for knitting or weaving into a cloth. Whether you’re a fibre artist, a hobbyist, or simply fascinated by traditional crafts, understanding the parts of a spinning wheel can deepen your appreciation of its […]
12
May
May
Pat Hodge bought her spinning wheel from Fibrecrafts in September 2002 and set about learning to spin under expert tuition from Phyllis Funnell. Here she proudly shows off her hand-knitted sweater made from the yarn she has spun from Jacob and Shetland fibres. Well done Pat!
12
May
May
Phyllis Funnell sports her Moebius scarf knitted from a pattern in the ‘Treasury of Magical Knitting’. She hand spun the super soft yarn from grey Alpaca. In hindsight, we should have taken more photos of this lovely lace knitted scarf but we are delighted to have a photo of the modest Phyllis at last! Both […]
08
May
May
Defining how you will use your Spinning Wheel is the key to a successful choice. The three main pointers are discussed in general terms below. First, decide on how much travelling the spinning wheel will do. Is it being carried around and taken by car and by air? Consider also whether the wheel will be […]
01
May
May
Many types of spinning wheels have developed over the centuries which can produce a yarn efficiently from local fibres. Historically a great many configurations of spinning wheel and flyer have been developed, and some of these are still available from craftsmen wheel makers. The common layouts are shown below along with comments on their strengths […]
01
May
May
The transformation of fibre into a yarn is a very satisfying process. Once the techniques have been mastered, it is very gratifying to watch a yarn form on the hand spindle or spinning wheel bobbin. There is an abundance of information available for beginners. The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers is an […]
18
Dec
Dec
We’re often asked to recommend a book about specific crafts featured on the George Weil website. Anne Field‘s ‘Learn to Spin’ ticks all the boxes when it comes to learning everything you need to know about spinning a fibre to create a yarn. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions, Anne guides the novice spinner through all they […]
09
May
May
We are often asked advice about the crafts advertised on our website. Whilst we have a good knowledge of most of the techniques, we cannot always claim to be experts. The traditional crafts of weaving, spinning and dyeing are championed by The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. The objectives of this Association […]
13
Jul
Jul
Susan Litton’s review of Schacht’s latest spinning wheel ‘The Sidekick‘: ‘I have been spinning for twenty five years and for a long time have been a very happy owner of a Schacht Matchless wheel. This wheel does everything I could want from a spinning wheel, except that it is takes up the space of a […]