Look what I found! An vintage spinning wheel!

When visiting family in Michigan, I found what an antique store called an antique spinning wheel. On the tag it also said “Works Great!” I tested the treadle in the store and it did indeed turn the wheel, but I knew nothing about how the flyer mechanism worked. It was also the first time I looked for a wheel and the first store I tried, so I walked away and did some online research as well as visiting a very helpful store in East Lansing called “Woven Art Yarn Shop.” They had three student spinning wheels and graciously let me sit and treadle them all, and showed me how the yarn hooks into the flyer. Armed with the feel of how modern wheels work, I went back and purchased the “antique” wheel.

I posted pictures on an historic spinning group and received the answer that this was a Befra Willy Spinnewiel made in Apeldoorn probably in the 70s or 80s. It has a single treadle, which I’ve read is better for ergonomics than a double treadle. It also has a bobbin holder on the side, useful for plying. The flyer mechanism uses Irish tension, which means the flyer has a brake that slows it down and the drive band turns the bobbin.

It was definitely a spinning wheel that was used; not only did it have a bobbin with spun wool, there is darkening on the flyer where a spinner would give it a little push to get going in the right direction.

Now to see how it spins!