A spinning wheel is a subtle machine!

Judith will also show how to get the best performance from each type of wheel, and share tips on making your wheel as efficient and versatile as it was designed to be.

You'll learn:

  • how wheel size influences its spinning;
  • how the shape of your flyer affects your spinning;
  • why your hooks are on the same side of the flyer, or why you might want them to be;
  • why a pulley is not a whorl;
  • how to fill a flyer properly, and why it matters;
  • how to spin 6 different yarns with simple adjustments to your wheel;
  • many other fascinating and useful facts and exercises that will make you a better spinner.

Meet Judith MacKenzie

Judith MacKenzie

Judith MacKenzie has been spinning and weaving most of her life. Her traditional training has been expanded with world travel, deep research, and industry consultation. She writes and teaches extensively, and is the author of The Intentional Spinner and The Practical Spinner's Guide to Rare Luxury Fibers.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Course Overview

    • What You Will Learn

    • About The Instructor

    • Technical Support
  • 2

    Getting to Know Your Wheel

    • Video Lesson: The Evolution of Spinning

    • Continued

    • Video Lesson: Flyer Mechanics

    • Understanding the Drive to Spin

    • Video Lesson: The Parts of a Wheel

    • Footman & Treadle; Drive Wheel; Bobbin; & Flyer
  • 3

    Pulleys & Tension Adjustments

    • Video Lesson: Managing Tension

    • Spinning the Yarn You Want
  • 4

    Caring for Your Wheel

    • Video Lesson: Maintaining Your Wheel

    • Wheel Maintenance

  • 5

    Wrapping Up

    • What You Learned

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