The choice of handspindle or Spinning Wheel is quite personal and depends upon need and circumstance. Spinning wheels provide the most convenient and efficient way of twisting fiber into yarn. Handspindles
require one to stop and store the spun fiber before continuing the
spinning process. A spinning wheel, however, stores the spun yarn as it
is spun thus simplifying the entire process. Handspindles
are more portable than a spinning wheel and for some spinners this may
be an important factor. Some spinning wheels fall easily out of
adjustment if they are moved and other styles of spinning wheels
(large castle or walking great wheels) are just too large and heavy to
transport easily. A person who enjoys attending spinning guild
meetings, fiber fairs and historical reenactments (all of which welcome
spinners and their spinning wheels) would do well to consider whether a handspindle would be a more suitable choice. Price is often another consideration when choosing between a spinning wheel and a handspindle. Spinning wheels are obviously more costly than a simple handspindle. However, if a handspindle is made of a rare wood and beautiful carved and finished it can rival the price of a used spinning wheel in need of simple repairs. But will the yarn spun by a handspindle
be as perfect as that spun on a spinning wheel? The answer depends upon
the proficiency of the spinner even more than on the use of spinning wheel
or handspindle. An excellent handspindler can rival the production of
an average spinning wheel spinner and the yarn will be of equal
quality. In fact there are fibers which are better spun on a
handspindle. Fine, short fibers such as cotton are an example. In
choosing between a handspindle and a spinning wheel
many factors come into play. Lifestyle plus budget considerations need
to be added to personal preference in order to make a good decision.
But more and more spinners are not making an either/or choice at all.
They own both a handspindle and a spinning wheel in order to have the full range of spinning possibilities!
We carry a huge selection of Spinning Wheels for handspinning as well as handspindles from the United States, Canada, New Zealand and around the world! If you can't find the spinning wheel you're looking for call us anytime at 1-888-320-7746 we probably have it.
