Spinning Frequently Asked Questions
Q Should I finish the wood of my Ashford spinning wheel / carders / lazy kate / etc with something?
A Some of the Ashford items come lacquered, but often 'natural'. Most of the wheels have a natural or lacquered option.
The natural wood is lovely New Zealand Silver Beech and needs something to finish it and protect it.
What you use is a personal choice. I like wax. It takes some elbow grease but it brings out the grain of the wood and gives a nice sheen. Some people like to use an oil (note that the teak oil I sell is for finishing the wood, the spinnig wheel oil is for lubricating the moving parts) and some like to use a varnish.
These things all come in clear or coloured. There are also coloured stains that you can use before you apply the finish, but the wood will darken over time naturally.
Hardware or DIY stores sell most of these things. I sell Teak oil, clear and coloured wax polish.
Fibre
A range of fibre from wool to exotic and luxury fibre for spinning, dyeing, felting: wool, silk, alpaca, cashmere, mohair, camel, yak and angora ready to spin. Also raw fleece
Spinning wheels
A range of Ashford Spinning Wheels delivered quickly to your door. I usually have some second hand spinning wheels listed.
Magazines and cards
Why not add one or two to your order? These cards, hand made by Jules of 'Always with a Heart' feature a textured sheep. Perfect for Christmas for your friends or for the spinner / knitter in your life. I now stock Selvedge magazine and Yarnmaker magazine.
LatestNews
Spinning cotton, free eBook
Have you spun cotton? Did you know that it grows in natural colours as well as white?
This free eBook from SpinningDaily gives us some history, some tips for spinning the very short fibre with some patterns.
