Spinning wheels, for me, have become the quintessential symbol of the ‘older ways’. The traditional wooden wheel, with spokes and spindle, treadle and bobbin. The images I have conjured in my own mind over the years, of the mother of the household, sitting by the fire, long after the children are asleep, spinning wheel in motion. She spins thread, yarn, that eventually, will be woven into fabric on her loom, and later used as material for creating clothing for everyone in her home.
Spinning Wheels Embody Magic. Creation. Timelessness.
I have had an affinity for spinning wool since the early 2000’s. I learned from a pack of creative women on Hornby Island, called the “Fabricators.” At this time many years ago, I felt like I was living in a fairy tale. In truth, the Island was for me, back then, an absolute ‘storybook world’ on the west coast of British Columbia. I loved everything about my spinning wheel, the setting, surroundings, and the magical moments I seemingly melted into.
Up till then, I had tried my hand at the sewing machine, a far more technically complex tool and one that did, in truth, cause me much frustration! That being said, I did create a few quilts back then for my kiddo, that still remain in my home. But onward from that, I began my life as a ‘spinner’.
In 2009, I created The Cosmic Spindle, a business dedicated to hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns. This journey has allowed me to share my passion for spinning and weaving, and through The Cosmic Spindle, I’ve been able to offer unique yarns that support others on their own creative journeys.
Spinning wheels come in many forms and styles. I acquired my first wooden wheel from my mentor and boss at the time, an amazing French baker named Helene. She became a dear friend to me, and though I learned spinning technique elsewhere, she taught me much about the art of baking. I mentored under her, and she set me on a good path as a baker—an occupation I’ve kept alongside my work on the spinning wheel over the years. But it was with the launch of The Cosmic Spindle that I began to formalize my craft. My business allowed me to pour my creativity into not only spinning yarn but sharing it with others, building a community around the process.
My First Spinning Wheel:
The Indian Head Spinner
While the name of this wheel always felt a bit awkward to me, as I aim to use compassionate and respectful language, it is the term most commonly used in my research for this style of wheel. My understanding is that this type of wheel was used by the West Coast Salish tribes to spin thick, warm, bulky yarns, which were then used to knit the traditional Cowichan sweaters. The bobbin on this spinning wheel is particularly large, which has always suited my own style. I’ve often found myself drawn to spinning chunky, textured, thick, and thin novelty art yarns, making this wheel a perfect match for my creative flow.
Other Traditional Spinning Wheels:
Smaller Bobbins for Finer Yarns
Other traditional spinning wheels often have considerably smaller bobbins, ideal for spinning fine threads to create delicate textiles. This style of wheel, historically used for spinning yarns like those the mother at the hearth would make, is still in use today by spinners who create amazingly fine yarns, perfect for knitting socks, sweaters, and other garments. The type of yarn you want to spin can guide you toward choosing your first spinning wheel.
Over the years, I’ve purchased and inherited many spinning wheels. My collection now stands at six in total. These days, my favorite is my Ashford double treadle “Kiwi” model. I love the action of using both my feet to operate the wheel. As mentioned earlier, I have a strong passion for spinning novelty art yarns and dyeing wool. Rainbow colors, blended in countless ways, allow me to create unique, one-of-a-kind works of fiber art. The Cosmic Spindle has grown from a small idea into a full-fledged business, with my hand-dyed and hand-spun yarns now making their way into the hands of other creators.
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Sitting at a Spinning Wheel:
A Practice in Simplicity and Mindfulness
Sitting at a spinning wheel is an act recommended by Mahatma Gandhi himself—something he suggested everyone should try. At the time, he even recommended making it a daily practice. For me, it’s a valuable discipline that I strive to maintain, though, of course, it’s also my work. But beyond that, the lessons from the spinning wheel remain timeless. The simplicity. The rhythm. The ritual. The quiet. The off-grid-ness. The solitude. The meditation. The connectedness.
Spinning a balanced yarn takes practice. Too much twist (overspun) or too little twist (causing the yarn to break easily) can ruin the process. Over time, it has become something I do with little effort—second nature. I can spin while watching movies with my kiddo or having conversations. It has become a form of prayer for me. It carries weight. It captures moments. Many times, I’ve combined colors and spun yarn during quiet movie nights with my kiddo, creating something meaningful from those shared moments.
When I have completely loaded the bobbin and taken the spun yarn off the spinning wheel, I can triumphantly exclaim, “This is the ‘Return of the Jedi’ skein!” I’m speaking lightly here, but in all seriousness, it has become a deep way for me to encase many of our shared moments with my kiddo.
This Summer There Were so Many Wildfires Near Our Home.
This summer, there were so many wildfires near our home. I prayed for water daily. I would prepare wool to spin—wool I had hand-dyed—and intentionally choose colors that, to me, represented my prayers for water during that time. I would sit at my spinning wheel and spin my prayers. Literally. The finished product becomes so very sacred to me.
Art, Creation, and Connection Through Spinning…
What is art? According to good ol’ Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, it’s “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings.”
Spinning wheels are tools of creation. Personally, my spinning wheel has become my vessel for expression. It has become a way for me to create a supply or material for others to express their imagination—whether through simple crafting or a deeper practice of fiber art. The Cosmic Spindle has allowed me to expand this process beyond my personal practice, providing others with the materials they need to express their own creativity. Most importantly, the spinning wheel has become a crucial ingredient in my life for maintaining a peaceful headspace and a personal daily practice. It has become a way for me to deeply connect with the ‘older ways’. It is a mechanism by which I can transport myself into a fairy tale, into memories of long ago—a timelessness—and an expression of myself through my fiber art.
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