HILLTOP SPINNING and WEAVING CENTRE

Established in 1990

POSTED Saturday, February 4, 2012

PROPRIETORS: SUE & BILL CHITTY

An Ashford Traditional

Spinning Wheel

There are hundreds of different spinning wheels but the essentials remain the same. The wheel drives the flyer, a bobbin, on which the spun yarn is ‘collected’ fits inside the flyer. The flyer and the bobbin must revolve at different speeds otherwise the yarn will not be drawn onto the bobbin.

The Traditional uses a brake band to slow the bobbin. A double drive wheel has no bobbin brake band so, usually, the bobbin is driven faster than the flyer.

You need a minimum of 3 bobbins - 2 are used for the ‘singles’ (a single spun yarn) and the 3rd bobbin is used to ply the singles together

Please note these wheels are supplied in ‘Flat Pack’ form by HILLTOP. If you can collect the wheel from Lyminge we offer an assembly service for £25 that includes a Danish Oil finish for Natural Wood wheels.

Spinning is a relaxing and therapeutic hobby. Hand spun yarns are wonderful to use and totally unique.

A Spinning Wheel should speak to you, pick a design that both fits your home and is aesthetically pleasing.

Ashford wheels are work horses, the ones we use were purchased 30 odd years ago. We must have spent a fortune, at least £5, on spare parts over the years.

Our wheels are given an annual TLC session after which they are a joy to use. A TLC session involves cleaning the wood, we use tepid water and a drop of washing up liquid - just dampen the cloth. Then a buff up with furniture polish - if possible beeswax.

Lubricating Ashford wheels should only be done when they ask - usually asking by squeaking. Use a fine oil and not too much otherwise it will spatter everywhere.

Ashford are gradually changing the wheel bearings from nylon to ball bearing. This will make treadling even easier and the ball bearings will not require lubricating except on very rare occasions.

We stock a wide range of spares for Ashford wheels, everything from screws to replacement wheels. The picture above will help you to both locate where the part is required and, maybe, put a name to it. If it is still a puzzle take a picture or email, or telephone us.

A warning - textile crafts are relaxing, therapeutic and addictive, both sociable and secretive. When spinning with a group of 25 spinners at the Kent Agricultural Show some years ago 2 women walked around us then one said in a stage whisper “ Well it’s all very well Mildred, but they’re not real people are they.”

Textile crafts are a vehicle for your talents, there a so many different ways to express them.