Author: The Sassy Purl

I have been on the lookout for a new travel wheel for quite some time (my Traveller has been getting too banged up from going in and out of the house and RV), but the Ashford Joy was never really on my radar, mainly because I never thought I’d have the budget for it, even when buying one that was used. As luck would have it, today I met the nicest woman who was downsizing and wanted to re-home a couple of her wheels. She offered me an amazing 2-for-1 deal, and now my herd of spinning wheels has grown from 3 to 5!

The Joy (with the freedom flyer!) will become my new travel buddy, and the Traditional will teach my kids how to spin. Both are single drive, which might take a little getting used to (I have all three of my other wheels set up for double drive), and both are in need of some restoration work, but I feel fortunate to have them and I am excited to put the work into making them both shine once again!

14 years ago, I bought my first spinning wheel, a used single treadle, double drive Ashford Traveller that arrived in pieces.  My fiber art journey began with knitting, but I quickly grew fascinated with the idea of making my own yarn. When I stumbled across this little wheel, at a price I could actually afford and the seller was willing to ship, I jumped at the opportunity. Over the years, I have upgraded it to double treadle and I added a jumbo double drive sliding hook flyer last summer. This wheel is compact and for the last 2 years, it has been my roadtrip companion when we travel in our Class A motorhome.

A few years after I bought my Traveller, I learned a magical word: “Kromski.” I fell in love with all of the intricate details and the saxony design. I was working crazy long hours at the time so I decided to splurge and purchased my second wheel brand new, a Kromski Symphony aka my “fairytale wheel,” just before I became pregnant with my first child. It is also double drive and double treadle, with the mahogany finish. It spins like a dream and eventually, I hope to add more Kromski wheels to my collection, although I’m far too frugal now to purchase them new. 🙂

My Traveller and Symphony were pretty much lovely dust collectors for about 9 years while I was raising my 3 kids, but then I stumbled across my 3rd wheel on Craigslist in early 2016, a well-loved 13 spoke J. Rooney Country Craftsman for only $125. My youngest was only 2 years old at this point, so I wanted a wheel that I did not have a lot invested in and that I could sort of test with a toddler (ultimately hoping I would be able to dust off my Traveller and Symphony). If he broke my Kromski, let’s be honest, I’d probably cry, but this creaky old wheel come complete with nicks and dents of its own. Initially, I really did not expect much from this wheel. It was finicky and the double drive had to be set just so, but once I worked out the kinks it sparked my passion for ALL things fiber-related and I have been happily addicted (again) ever since!