Today I brought home another wheel, a flax wheel.
Before cleaning and waxing
Amazing that it was still available having been posted for more than 20 hours before I contacted the seller.
For about the price of a small fleece, this little handmade flax wheel was mine. Total cost, $65 plus the drive into Tacoma to pick it up. Actually, it was to my advantage as I stopped to see both of my daughter’s while I was in the area.
Look at the size of the smallest bobbin I have ever seen. The bobbin opening measures 2 5/8″. That just blows my mind that there is a bobbin that tiny in the fiber world.
What are my plans for this yet-to-be-named wheel? Silk embroidery thread. It has a 13.5/1 ratio and with the bobbin being so small, I believe creating embroidery thread would be the perfect duty for it.
As I have not had a flax wheel before, I went out on the web to search the differences between a flax and wool wheel.
Here is what I found:
The difference is a flax wheel will have a distaff and the oriface is much smaller.
All types of fiber (flax, silk, cotton, wool) can be spun on any wheel.
Now, to figure out how old it is. Here is what I came up with:
It is handmade. Hand notched on the ends of the table. Though it has scribed markings, none of them lined up exactly the same. Machine-cut pieces are more uniform and were not made until 1860. Though it is handmade, someone took their time to do so.
No sign of lacquer or varnish, so I’ve crossed off it was made after the 1850’s. There may have been a wood oil used, but none of the wood was shiny or glossy until I put some wax to it.
Some of the wood is spalted. The legs, the uprights and parts of the mother of all.
There are no manufacturer marks.
The distaff was missing, though we can see in the above photo there was a place for it.
I currently have eight wheels in my life, having had six others come and go. I have never had a true flax wheel before.
I’m am overjoyed with my find today. I’m closer to understanding my fiber purpose when I bring home wonderful finds like this.
After cleaning and waxing
Until next time….
FAQs
The difference is a flax wheel will have a distaff and the oriface is much smaller. All types of fiber (flax, silk, cotton, wool) can be spun on any wheel.
Can you spin flax without a distaff? ›
No Distaff, No Problem
In 2002, Jude Daurelle wrote an article for Spin Off about wrapping rehackled flax in a tea towel for spinning, a technique she picked up from Olive and Harry Linder. Jude simply tucks the wrapped bundle under the arm of her fiber hand and spins as one would with a distaff. Daurelle, Jude.
Can you spin flax? ›
By using traditional hand methods, it's quite possible to plant, raise, harvest, and process small quantities of flax for spinning. The process is quite laborious, but you'll find the transformation is very exciting and the end product very beautiful.
What does a flax wheel do? ›
Intended for spinning flax fiber into linen yarn, these wheels often featured a built-in upright distaff to conveniently hold the raw flax fibers for the spinner. Spinning wheels come in a rich diversity of sizes and shapes depending on where and when they were made and the fibers they were intended to spin.
What is a wool wheel used for? ›
Wool wheel is mainly used for metals and non-metallic polishing. Removing burrs, light scratches, rust, stubborn stains, removing the oxide layer, coating.
Can you spin flax on a great wheel? ›
Traditionally, great wheels were seen as producing a superior woollen thread; flyer wheels more suitable for flax spinning, 'hobby' spinning of grand ladies who wanted a pretty wheel, or worsted spinning. Later, as we can see from George Walker's words, the great wheel was also seen as spinning a superior worsted.
How much flax can you spin an hour? ›
You can spin around 1,400 flax in an hour depending on your speed. Players who have completed Bone Voyage quest may use the spinning wheel in the Museum Camp for a less click intensive experience. At 76 Magic the Spin Flax Lunar spell can be used as an alternative.
How much XP is spinning flax? ›
The spell can be cast once every 5 game ticks. Experience rates are approximately 80k Crafting experience and 80k Magic experience per hour. The maximum possible experience rate achievable with the spell is 90k Crafting and 90k Magic experience per hour, if every action is performed perfectly.
How do you prepare flax for spinning? ›
Item
- Pull Flax up by the roots.
- Make into small sheaves that will fill your hand.
- Hang in the sun to dry for one day with the roots turned upwards.
- Turn it, and for five more days with the heads of the bundles turned inwards and reclining against one another "so that the seed may fall into the middle."
The plants were combed, soaked in water, and beaten to separate the fibers from the plant's woody core. These fibers were then loosely twisted together before being sent on for spinning into the thread that would be woven into linen cloth.
A distaff (/ˈdɪstɑːf/, /ˈdɪstæf/, also called a rock) is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fibre.
What is the best spindle for spinning cotton? ›
If it has a long staple length, then most any spindle will work for you. On the other hand, if the staple length is very short, like cotton, then choose a spindle with a fast spin, like a Russian, Akha, or Tibetan in style no. 2, so that the twist will enter the fiber quickly and the fiber won't drift apart.
What is flax wool? ›
100% FLAX/LINEN. Natural flax is a plant fibre. It has a natural sheen and is long, strong and golden in colour.
What is the difference between flax and linen yarn? ›
The difference between linen and flax is simple: Flax is the plant and linen is the fabric made of flax. The fibres from the plant are processed and turned into flax linen to make beautiful clothing items, bedding, and other home décor items.
