Choosing a new spinning wheel is an investment and – if I’m honest – the process can be a bit daunting. So. Many. Options. Where do I start? What features do I want? How much do I want to spend? This list of Great Beginner Spinning Wheel Options will help you narrow it down!
Great Beginner Spinning Wheels
It’s no secret, spinning wheels are expensive. They are also an investment that you will cherish forever. That being said, you don’t have to spend a fortune, and there are cheaper options.
If you are brand new to spinning, the very first thing I would do is to see if there is a spinning wheel dealer near you. Every dealer I have ever visited encouraged me to sit and treadle the different wheels, allowing me to get a feel for the rhythm, for treadling, and even to play around with a bit of spinning, etc. This is the absolutely BEST option for a beginner. Period. Virtually all wheel manufacturers have a list of dealers on their websites, see the list below for brand names.
If this is not possible, check around on your local “for sale” sites, like Facebook Marketplace. That’s where I found my second wheel, an Ashford Traditional – great for beginners!
Ravelry also has several great groups for used spinning wheels and spinning equipment:
Used Tools – Equipment Classifieds
And of course there is always Craiglist and eBay.
If you have a handy person in the house you could make your own from plans! There is a popular plan available from Thifty Fox Spinning on Etsy that makes for a darn cute wheel – and inexpensively too!
Another cheaper option (although not a full size) is the Electric Eel Wheel Nano. This is an electric wheel, so there are no foot pedals (treadles) and there is a bit of a learning curve. This does, however, allow you to focus only on your hands and the fiber, without having to think about what your feet should be doing.
What I LOVE about this wheel is the portability and the ease of use. Because of its compact size and the fact that it is powered by either a wall outlet OR a USB port, I am able to set this little guy on my desk and spin away. I could also use it in the car on long road trips, or at a hotel, or basically anywhere. You can even get a battery pack for spinning at the park, etc.
If you would prefer to have a brand new wooden wheel, there are options starting in the $400s. Again, it all just depends on what you want in a wheel and what types of yarn you want to produce, but generally speaking the following wheels are great for beginners.
Keep in mind that new wheels come unassembled, and many times with the option to finish them yourself for less upfront cost. Also, the Woolery has one of the largest selections of spinning wheels on the internet, and where I ordered mine, so that is where I am linking today.
Ashford Traditional – a great workhorse of a wheel, but not super portable.
Ashford Kiwi – an excellent beginner wheel with the option to upgrade the flyer later on – this is the wheel that I own and love, and is pictured in most of the posts on Heart Hook Homespun.
Schacht Matchless – pricier, but can be double drive, scotch or Irish tension, and has a full range of speeds and bobbin sizes.
Lendrum Double Treadle – this is one of the most recommended wheels for beginner’s in spinning circles. Similar to the Kiwi above but higher end.
Ashford Country Spinner – large orifice and the bobbin holds about two pounds of fiber all based on how you spin your fiber and ply. Super for art yarns. Covers the gamut of your spinning needs – but is not very portable.
Spinolution Echo – gorgeous wheel and very fast bobbin changes.
Majacraft – wonderful wheels that are interchangeable so they will grow with you – but expensive.
Ashford e-Spinner – larger bobbins, small and compact design.
Louet – a great choice. Simple to use and maintain, and it has large bobbins.
Any fully functioning wheel will be sufficient to learn, and if you’re still having trouble narrowing it down, feel free to ask for guidance in the Heart Hook Homespun Spinners group on Facebook.
Related:
Tips for Finishing a Spinning Wheel
Sarah James says
I want to learn spinning in order to make art yarns for weaving. Although I have weaving skills I have never learnt to spin! Can you advise on a beginners wheel that would suit fairly chunky ray yarns? Thanks Sarah