sed now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the

So, you are going out to buy a spinning wheel! You walk into a store and you are asked, “What type of spinning wheel are you looking to purchase?” You have read somewhere that there are two types of spinning wheels, the spindle and the flyer and bobbin. You know that you want a more modern spinning wheel, like the ones that you saw at a spinning demonstration or in a current spinning magazine. You have decided that you want a smaller spinning wheel that you can spin while you are sitting down. So you tell the sales person that you want a Flyer and Bobbin type of spinning wheel. Good choice, you have narrowed your field a bit.

A Flyer and Bobbin spinning wheel is one that has a larger wheel on the back or bottom of the spinning wheel, it has a drive band or string that goes around the wheel but it also has what is called a ‘mother of all’ in the front or on the top of the spinning wheel. This ‘mother of all’ is a flat or worked piece of wood that has one or two wooden pieces that are on each side. These one or two wooden pieces are called maidens. The maiden’s job is to hold the bobbin and the flyer as well as the orifice. The flyer is a U shaped piece that has hooks attached to it and are called flyers. The bobbin fits inside the flyer and its job is to hold the fiber once it has been spun. There is usually a piece of cord that goes around the bobbin at one side and this is called the brake. If you look at the flyer closely you will notice that there is an opening that goes through to the bobbin. This is called an orifice.

At the bottom of the spinning wheel you will notice what looks like a foot plate. This is called the treadle and is where you would put your foot to work the spinning wheel. Unlike the spindle type of spinning wheel where you work the wheel by using you hands, this type of spinning wheel is worked with your foot. Spinning wheels of this type come in single and double treadles. In other words, there are some spinning wheels that have only one treadle and you use one foot to operate it, while the double treadle wheel has two treadles and you would use both feet to operate it.

You also need to know that a flyer and bobbin wheel can come in a single drive or a double drive. WHAT! You say, I am really confused now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the

pinning wheel. Good choice, you have narrowed your field a bit.

A Flyer and Bobbin spinning wheel is one that has a larger wheel on the back or bottom of the spinning wheel, it has a drive band or string that goes around the wheel but it also has what is called a ‘mother of all’ in the front or on the top of the spinning wheel. This ‘mother of all’ is a flat or worked piece of wood that has one or two wooden pieces that are on each side. These one or two wooden pieces are called maidens. The maiden’s job is to hold the bobbin and the flyer as well as the orifice. The flyer is a U shaped piece that has hooks attached to it and are called flyers. The bobbin fits inside the flyer and its job is to hold the fiber once it has been spun. There is usually a piece of cord that goes around the bobbin at one side and this is called the brake. If you look at the flyer closely you will notice that there is an opening that goes through to the bobbin. This is called an orifice.

At the bottom of the spinning wheel you will notice what looks like a foot plate. This is called the treadle and is where you would put your foot to work the spinning wheel. Unlike the spindle type of spinning wheel where you work the wheel by using you hands, this type of spinning wheel is worked with your foot. Spinning wheels of this type come in single and double treadles. In other words, there are some spinning wheels that have only one treadle and you use one foot to operate it, while the double treadle wheel has two treadles and you would use both feet to operate it.

You also need to know that a flyer and bobbin wheel can come in a single drive or a double drive. WHAT! You say, I am really confused now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the

fice. The flyer is a U shaped piece that has hooks attached to it and are called flyers. The bobbin fits inside the flyer and its job is to hold the fiber once it has been spun. There is usually a piece of cord that goes around the bobbin at one side and this is called the brake. If you look at the flyer closely you will notice that there is an opening that goes through to the bobbin. This is called an orifice.

At the bottom of the spinning wheel you will notice what looks like a foot plate. This is called the treadle and is where you would put your foot to work the spinning wheel. Unlike the spindle type of spinning wheel where you work the wheel by using you hands, this type of spinning wheel is worked with your foot. Spinning wheels of this type come in single and double treadles. In other words, there are some spinning wheels that have only one treadle and you use one foot to operate it, while the double treadle wheel has two treadles and you would use both feet to operate it.

You also need to know that a flyer and bobbin wheel can come in a single drive or a double drive. WHAT! You say, I am really confused now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the

o work the spinning wheel. Unlike the spindle type of spinning wheel where you work the wheel by using you hands, this type of spinning wheel is worked with your foot. Spinning wheels of this type come in single and double treadles. In other words, there are some spinning wheels that have only one treadle and you use one foot to operate it, while the double treadle wheel has two treadles and you would use both feet to operate it.

You also need to know that a flyer and bobbin wheel can come in a single drive or a double drive. WHAT! You say, I am really confused now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the

sed now! This is really a simple concept. A single drive means that there is only one drive band, or string that goes from the wheel to the bobbin. A double drive means that there is one very long drive band or string that is wrapped around the wheel and the bobbin so that it looks as though there are two strings that wrap around the wheel and the bobbin.

There are many different styles of the flyer and bobbin spinning wheel. There are the traditional spinning wheels which is the longer spinning wheel. Typically you would think of this type of wheel as the ones used in the colonial days or in the Saxony region of England and were used in conjunction with the Great Wheel. Many different companies have come out with many beautiful and ornate wheels that are of the traditional style. Many of these wheels are from the Baltic area, Poland and Scandinavia. There are equally beautiful ones that come from New Zealand.

Another type of spinning wheel which uses the flyer and bobbin style is called a traveler or a castle wheel. This is a more compact, upright spinning wheel and is one that can be taken with you if you have a class or just want to meet friends for a spinning outing. This type is great because it takes up little room in the house and in the car. It is just as easy to spin on as the traditional style of spinning wheel. Some of the more modern wheels tend to be made in an upright configuration.

Which ever style you decide to get, whether it is a single drive or a double drive, a single treadle or a double treadle, a traveler or a traditional, it will truly be an heirloom to be passed down for generations to come. Pick out your wheel with much care, as they are expensive but they will last and last as long as you take care of your wheel. However, if you are a true spinner, this will not be your last spinning wheel. Personally, I have one traditional and one traveler and I love and use them both!

Enjoy your wheel. Keep spinning and keep learning.