How Spinning Wheels Work

The first of a series for beginner spinners, this video shows how three different spinning wheels work — one Saxony style, one Castle style and one eSpinner. These are all set up in single drive, Scotch tension (AKA flyer-led) and I'll be looking at the other drive systems in another video. Of course, knowing how a wheel works is one thing, knowing how to use your hands to create the yarn you want is another! I'm sure I've forgotten something so please do leave a comment and let me know what you think. One extra note: the footman can also be referred to as the conrod.

The wheels featured are a Schacht Matchless, a Frank Herring Bentwood (discontinued) and a Hansencrafts miniSpinner.

**I love helping people learn about fibre arts... I also have to pay the bills! A lot of work goes into these videos so if you found it helpful, please consider supporting the channel by:

[TinyFibreStudio]

Thank you for all your lovely comments on this video — feel free to share it with anyone who might benefit! :)

**I love helping people learn about fibre arts... I also have to pay the bills! A lot of work goes into these videos so if you found it helpful, please consider supporting the channel by:

[mcswordfish]

Very interesting video - clear and concise.

I searched up "how a spinning wheel works" after seeing Sleeping Beauty at the panto the other night and I realised I had no idea what a spinning wheel even was, so decided I had to learn. Many thanks for helping in that knowledge quest

[xanadu]

I’m 68 years old and I never realized how spending wheel worked.
Thank you so much for this explanation.

[Eldritch_Moss]

I've been searching for this for hours. So hard to find a simple & comprehensive explanation for the mechanics behind spinning. Well done, and thank you!

[kennethpace]

I’m trying to build a few pieces for my wife’s new, unassembled spinning wheel that doesn’t have any instructions and is missing parts. This video was SUPER helpful! Thanks!!!

[Gottaculat]

Thank you; I was laying in bed at 4am, trying to sleep, and my brain was randomly like, "How does a spinning wheel work?"

And ladies, this is literally the random kind of thing your man is probably thinking about.

[helenjessop]

I think this might be the most clear and informative video for beginner spinners I've seen. I like how you stopped the video and highlighted each part in red as you talked about them and your simple and clear descriptions of how the parts work. I would really recommend this to some one interested in learning to spin on a wheel. Well done!!!

[catherinejustcatherine]

I am commenting again, having watched again; hoping the algorithm shares this with those who need it!

What a well delineated and thorough tour of the two types of spinning wheels (plus, the electric one, of course)

[Reddemon]

I'm not a spinner, just randomly curious but I have to say, this video was highly informative and easily understandable.

I daresay its even better than "How it's made" manufacturing videos that are already superb.

[KimmyGibbler]

That Frank Herring wheel is probably one of the coolest looking wheels ever!!!! I just discovered it. 😂

[hygs]

This was the single BEST explanation of how a spinning wheel works that I have come across. I especially appreciate you pausing the actual video and highlighting the part AND naming it on screen. Thank you so much! You have a new subscriber! 😊

[zevfarkas]

Thank you for showing me how spinning wheels work. I've seen pictures of them since I was a kid back in the '60's, but this was the first time I've gotten an idea of how the mechanics works.

[wiegraf-FNC]

My grandmother had a more crude version of a spinning wheel and as a child I was fascinated by how it worked. I remembered this from my childhood and finally looked up in this video how it actually works and what it actually does. thank your for the extremely well-explained and detailed video. you do an amazing work of presentation of the craft.

[patgentry]

Excellent information, nicely presented. Don’t think I’ve ever actually learned all the names! What beautiful names they are, redolent of the Middle Ages and Fairy Tales!

[dr.sylviahoodwashingtonclt]

You are the best!! This is a beautiful description of the Schacht Matchless spinning wheel, which my in-class lesson did not provide with this level of detail. Thank You!!

[dillmam]

I wish this video had been around when I was learning to spin on a wheel! It’s so helpful to have the vocabulary explained and clearLy highlighted.

[waynemcintosh]

Thank you for that lesson not only in spinning but also history
Well done

[keramiroberts]

Just watched The Repair Shop restore a Saxon style spinning wheel from Shetland... Then we randomly watches Sleeping beauty... And we were curious and came here.

Many thanks, great video

[PatrickShanahan-eibf]

I'm getting my first spinning lesson tomorrow. Thank you so much for this very helpful description of parts and how they work. The stop frame and highlight was exceptional. Very well done. Pretty sure I'll ace my first lesson and not look like a complete dolt!

[garykorzelius]

Thank you. I am trying to restore an old Saxony style wheel, and I did not know where all the parts go. Know armed with the knowledge got here I think I am ready to go.