Hand crafted spinning wheel |
At any large gathering of spinners you could expect to see variety of spinning wheels in operation. The size, position of the wheel and the treadles might vary but that large wheel shape tells you your seeing a spinning circle.
spinning circle |
Many things have changed since it was necessary to spin our own yarn. For many of us it is now a leisure activity and we see the opportunity to join a spinning circle as a pleasure not a necessity.
The spinning group of the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners meets every Tuesday from 10 am to noon. Members bring their wheels or knitting with the intention of working. They also bring their problems or triumphs to share over a cup of tea. Of course there is always a spinning circle as these just form spontaneously if there are more than two spinning wheels in the same location. It is something to do with all that twisting that goes on.
e-spinners in cherry wood |
So why would you want to replace that beautiful wheel in the first photograph with a far less romantic electric spinning wheel. Well, that lovely wheel is heavy and an awkward shape that is difficult to store and transport. In that way it really does resemble a piece of furniture. The electric spinners are bread-box size (does anyone have a bread box anymore?).
blended fibres before spinning |
Even with the electric motor assist, the spinner is still very much in control of the final yarn, from selecting, dyeing and blending the fibres to controlling the thickness and amount of twist. It is still very much "hand spun" yarn when it comes off that bobbin.
Raw fibre and the final yarn |