What Is a Double Drive Spinning Wheel?
When you're shopping for a spinning wheel, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to choose a double drive or a single drive setup. Both systems can produce beautiful yarn, but they work differently and suit different spinning styles. Here's what sets a double drive spinning wheel apart and why many experienced handspinners prefer it.
How a Double Drive Spinning Wheel Works
A double drive spinning wheel uses one continuous drive band that loops around the large drive wheel and passes over two separate pulleys at the flyer assembly: the flyer whorl and the bobbin whorl. Because the bobbin whorl has a slightly smaller diameter than the flyer whorl, the bobbin rotates a little faster than the flyer with every treadle. That small speed difference is what automatically pulls, or "takes up," the yarn onto the bobbin. No separate brake system is required. The mechanism is elegant, self-regulating, and has been used by traditional spinners for centuries.
Double Drive vs Scotch Tension (Single Drive)
On a single drive wheel with scotch tension, only the flyer is powered by the drive band. The bobbin is slowed down by a small brake band held in place by a spring and adjusted with a tension knob. You control take-up by tightening or loosening that brake.
The practical difference: a double drive system regulates take-up through the geometry of the two whorls, while a scotch tension setup relies on friction from an adjustable brake band. Each produces a different feel at the orifice and responds differently to changes in drafting speed. Once you spin on both, the contrast is easy to feel.
Why Handspinners Choose a Double Drive Wheel
Double drive take-up is notably gentle and consistent, which makes it a favorite for several kinds of spinning:
Fine yarns and lace weight. The soft, self-regulating pull lets you draft delicate singles without the yarn being yanked out of your hands. For lace spinners, this is often the deciding factor.
Long draw and woolen spinning. A smooth, even take-up rewards the rhythmic motion of woolen-style drafting, where you want the yarn to ease onto the bobbin rather than be pulled in aggressively.
A meditative spinning experience. With fewer moving parts to adjust mid-skein, many spinners find double drive wheels feel more alive and responsive underfoot. The rhythm tends to settle into something closer to a flow state.
Consistency across a full bobbin. Because take-up is governed by the ratio between the two whorls rather than a brake that can grab or slip as the bobbin fills, tension stays predictable from empty to full.
When Single Drive Has the Edge
Scotch tension wheels are not inferior, just different. Single drive is usually preferred for bulky yarns and art yarn with chunky textures, for plying heavy skeins where you want strong aggressive take-up, for beginners who want one simple adjustment knob to master, and for spinners working with challenging fibers that need extra pull. Many serious handspinners end up with both styles in their studio because each suits different fibers and yarn weights.
Ashford Double Drive Spinning Wheels
Ashford offers double drive as an option on three of their most popular spinning wheels:
Ashford Traditional Double Drive. The best-selling spinning wheel in the world. The Traditional is available in single drive or double drive, with a large 22 inch wheel, smooth ball bearings, and a four speed flyer that handles everything from fine to medium yarns.
Ashford Traveller Double Drive. A compact castle-style wheel with an 18 inch drive wheel. The Traveller is also offered in single or double drive, making it a great choice for smaller spaces and spinners who want a more portable wheel without giving up performance.
Ashford Elizabeth. Ashford's premium 30 inch Saxony wheel, sold as double drive with the option to set it up as scotch tension. This is their flagship luxury wheel, built for serious handspinners who want fast ratios and effortless treadling.
Each of these Ashford double drive spinning wheels uses the same proven drive system, so the choice between them comes down to wheel size, orifice height, footprint, and how you prefer to sit while you spin.
Choosing the Right Double Drive Spinning Wheel
If you spin mostly fine to medium yarns, love woolen long draw, or want a wheel that feels traditional and meditative under the hands, a double drive spinning wheel is a natural fit. Shop the Ashford double drive collection above to compare specs, ratios, and finishes, or reach out if you'd like help picking the right wheel for your spinning style.
