"The spinning wheel is itself an exquisite piece of machinery." –Mahatma Gandhi
Antique spinning wheels, looms, and fiber tools
The gallery below helps to identify wheels and tools. Each photo is the subject of a blog post, the name of which is in quotes underneath the photo, along with the maker’s mark (if present), maker’s name (if known), and place of origin. Search the name of the blog post to find more details and photos.
GREAT WHEELS
NEW ENGLAND FLAX WHEELS
PENNSYLVANIA WHEELS
“Snow Molly” marked “IAM 1827” and “P Wealand,” probable Pennsylvania or Ohio
“Elizabeth” no lable, likely Danner body and Landisville/probable Berg drive wheel, PA
If the value of a wheel can be measured by the lengths taken to keep it spinning, this wheel must have been very highly regarded. It could be a textbook for how to keep a spinning wheel running with whatever is on hand. Belying modern wheel owners who too often declare such wheels “a piece…
While in Dalarna, Sweden last summer, one particular wheel style kept appearing at various places I visited. I first noticed this style in the collection at Sätergläntan, the craft school I was attending for a daldräll weaving course. I was especially interested in the collection’s two turned-table, metal-clad wheels described in my last post, “Torvi.” …
Simply put, I love this Swedish wheel. Metal clad, with a long and rounded waist, it is utterly unique. To top it off, it is one of the most pleasurable wheels for spinning that I have ever used. The table, if you can call it that, is unusual from end to end. There is a…