How to Set Up an Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel

Ashford traditional spinning wheels are modern versions of old-fashioned spinning wheels like this one.

An Ashford traditional spinning wheel is one of several commercially produced treadle spinning wheels that are based on the spinning wheels once used to make yarn. A treadle spinning wheel is foot-powered. Spinning yarn and weaving it into cloth is a popular craft today, and setting up an Ashford traditional spinning wheel is fairly easy. Don’t be discouraged if it takes you a few tries to successfully spin useable yarn. You have to develop a feel for feeding the fiber to the spinning wheel, and that takes practice.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Leader yarn
• Yarn hook
• Roving

Instructions

1. Cut a 36-inch length of yarn to serve as a leader. You can use commercial yarn or homespun. Sit at the spinning wheel and locate the bobbin. On an Ashford traditional spinning wheel, the bobbin is behind the wheel and on the left side of the spinner assembly.

2. Tie one end of the leader to the bobbin. Hook the leader into the hooks at the top of the bobbin.

3. Insert a yarn hook -- also called a spinning hook -- through the gap at the bottom of the bobbin. This orifice is located where the bobbin is attached to the spinning wheel. Catch the leader with the yarn hook and pull the end through the orifice. Do not try to pull the leader all the way through by hand. You want just enough leader yarn to hold in your fingers.

4. Pump gently on the pedal with your foot until the leader feeds all the way through the bobbin. Once this is done, pull gently on the leader. If you hear a squeal or the leader is so tight you can’t pull it any further, there is too much tension on the yarn. Reduce the tension by turning the tension knob located on the bottom of the bobbin.

5. Tie a small loop at the end of the leader using a slip knot. Insert the end of a length of roving into the loop. Roving is carded fiber -- raw cotton or wool that has been combed to remove tangles. Tighten the slip knot. Your Ashford traditional spinning wheel is now set up and ready to spin.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using commercially prepared roving or fiber you carded yourself but stored for some time, it is likely to be flattened and compressed. To loosen the fibers, take a few inches of the roving in both hands and pull gently. Don’t pull the roving apart. Just loosen the fibers. Work your way along the length of roving a few inches at a time until the entire length is loosened.

References

• Ashford: Ashford Traditional Spinning Wheel Single Drive
• Joy of Spinning: Preparing to Handspin Yarn on the Spinning Wheel