Spinning Wheels

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    Learn More About Spinning Wheels

    A spinning wheel spins plant or animal fibers into yarn or thread. To produce the yarn, the fiber is attached to a bobbin, or spool, which is attached to a spinner. The fiber is fed through the spinning wheel and guided by hand as the wheel spins and the fiber twists. The thread and yarn are then woven into cloth.


    Although the spinning wheel was largely replaced by the spinning jenny during the Industrial Revolution, they are still commonly used today by those who prefer the intimate, hands-on process of spinning their own fiber. Most spinning wheels are made of wood, but you’ll also find metal spinning wheels.

    A yarn spinning wheel transports you back to the days of handmade goods and natural materials. For many people, creating a piece is an intimate process that makes the finished product more enjoyable and appreciated. Clothing and textile pieces require time, energy, and love, and you give all three when you create them yourself as gifts.


    Many yarn spinners also find the process relaxing or meditative, similar to knitting and crochet. If you’re looking for a way to relax while connecting with an ancient craft, explore the selection of spinning wheels available from shops on Etsy. Sellers have antique and vintage spinning wheel options, as well.

    There are different designs of spinning wheels for yarn, each using a slightly different process. Here are some of the most common:


    • Saxony wheels: Cinderella had a Saxony wheel, the type of spinning wheel you’re likely most familiar with. It typically has three legs, a large wheel at one end, the flyer at the other, and a foot pedal to keep the wheel turning. The Saxony spinning wheel is a good choice for a beginner.
    • Great wheels: The larger size and hand operation of a great wheel makes it a bit trickier to use, so it’s better suited for non-beginners.
    • Charkha wheels: A charkha wheel is a tabletop spinning wheel design. Like a great wheel, a charkha is hand-operated.
    • Electric wheels: Electric spinning wheels for yarn are powered by an electric motor. Learning how to spin is easier with an electric wheel than other types because you don’t have to handle the fiber while operating the wheel. Electric spinners are usually smaller and more portable, too.