Shop Spinning Wheels By Brand

Whether it's your first wheel or your fifth, we'll help you find the right one. We stock the parts, do the repairs in-house, and have been Spokane's spinning shop since 1997. To try one in person, call ahead so we can have it ready: 509-536-7746.

Ashford Spinning Wheels Kromski Spinning Wheels Schacht Spinning Wheels Louet Spinning Wheels Majacraft Spinning Wheels

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Find Your Perfect Spinning Wheel and Start Spinning Yarn You'll Love

A spinning wheel is one of those tools that changes everything. The moment you sit down at a good wheel, press the treadle, and feel fiber transform into spun yarn under your hands, something clicks that's genuinely hard to describe. It's meditative, satisfying, and deeply connected to a craft tradition that stretches back thousands of years. 

At Paradise Fibers, spinning wheels are something we take seriously enough to design and build our own right here in our Spokane shop. We carry wheels from the brands we trust, we have experienced spinners on staff who use them regularly, and we can help you find the right wheel whether you're buying your very first one or upgrading after years of spinning yarns on a starter setup.

Why the Right Wheel Makes All the Difference When Spinning Yarn

Not all spinning wheels are created equal, and the wheel you choose has a direct impact on how enjoyable the process of spinning a yarn is and what kinds of yarn you can produce. A well-made wheel with smooth bearings, a consistent drive system, and a comfortable treadle action lets you focus entirely on the fiber in your hands. 

A poorly made or poorly suited wheel fights you at every step, creating tension inconsistencies, frustration, and finished spun yarns that don't reflect your actual skill level. Choosing wisely from the start saves you from wanting to upgrade six months later, and our team is here to help you get it right the first time.

Our Spinning Wheel Collection

We carry a focused, carefully chosen selection of spinning wheels from brands we genuinely believe in, alongside our own in-house design. Here's what you'll find in this collection:

  • The Paradise Fibers Revolution Spinning Wheel is our own creation, designed and built right here in our Spokane shop by our team. This is the wheel we're most proud of, and it represents everything we believe a great spinning wheel should be: beautifully crafted, smooth to operate, and built to last a lifetime of spinning yarns.
  • Ashford Spinning Wheels come from one of the most respected names in the fiber arts world. Made in New Zealand, Ashford wheels are known for their reliability, wide ratio range, and strong resale value. Options include the beginner-friendly Kiwi 3, the versatile Joy 2 folding wheel, the workhorse Traddy, and the high-performance Jumbo for thick art yarns.
  • Schacht Spinning Wheels are made in Boulder, Colorado, and are beloved for their precision engineering and beautiful craftsmanship. The Matchless and Flatiron are particular favorites among serious spinners who want a wheel that performs flawlessly across every fiber type.
  • Kromski Spinning Wheels are made in Poland and are known for their traditional aesthetic and excellent value. The Minstrel and Sonata are popular choices for spinners who want a classically beautiful wheel at an accessible price point.
  • Louet Spinning Wheels offer a more utilitarian, functional design philosophy with excellent performance. The Louet S10 and S17 are workhorses that have introduced countless spinners to the craft of spin yarn production over the decades.

How to Choose the Right Wheel for Spinning Yarns

The best spinning wheel for you depends on a few key factors. First, think about the fiber you plan to work with most often. Fine fibers like merino and silk need a wheel with a higher ratio range to insert enough twist. Bulky art yarns need a large orifice and lower ratios. Most of the wheels we carry are versatile enough to handle a wide range, but if you have a specific style of spinning yarn in mind, it's worth discussing that with us before you buy. Second, consider portability. 

If you want to take your wheel to guild meetings, fiber festivals, or classes, a folding wheel like the Ashford Joy 2 is worth the investment. If your wheel lives in one spot at home, a larger, heavier model may suit you better. Third, think about budget. A good entry-level wheel starts around $500 and a premium production wheel can run well over $1,500, but every wheel in our collection represents genuine value at its price point.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spinning Wheels and Spinning Yarn

What is the best spinning wheel for a beginner?

For most beginners, we recommend the Ashford Kiwi 3 or the Kromski Minstrel as excellent starting points. Both are well-made, straightforward to learn on, and capable of producing beautiful spun yarn across a range of weights. Our own Revolution wheel is another wonderful option if you want to support a locally made product from the start. The most important thing is choosing a wheel that feels comfortable to sit at and treadle, which is why we always encourage new spinners to come visit us in Spokane and try before they buy whenever possible.

Can I spin all types of fiber on any wheel?

Most modern spinning wheels handle a reasonably wide range of fibers, but some are better suited to specific styles of spinning yarns than others. Wheels with a broad ratio range give you more flexibility across fiber types and yarn weights. If you plan to primarily spin yarn from fine fibers like merino or silk, look for a wheel with higher available ratios. If bulky art yarns and thick singles are your goal, prioritize a large orifice and low ratio options. Our team can match you to the right wheel for your specific fiber goals.

Do I need a spinning wheel or can I start with a drop spindle?

A drop spindle is a fantastic and inexpensive way to learn the fundamentals of spinning a yarn before committing to a wheel. Spindles teach you how fiber drafts and how twist works, which makes the transition to a wheel much more intuitive. That said, many spinners go straight to a wheel and learn beautifully that way too. If budget is a consideration, starting with a spindle makes sense. If you're ready to commit to the craft and want the full experience of spinning yarn on a wheel from day one, there's no reason you can't jump right in.

How do I maintain a spinning wheel?

Most spinning wheels require very little maintenance to keep running smoothly. The main things to stay on top of are oiling the moving parts with spinning wheel oil every few sessions, checking the drive band for wear and replacing it when it starts to slip or feel loose, and keeping the wheel free of fiber buildup around the flyer and bobbin. Wooden wheels benefit from occasional treatment with a furniture wax or oil to keep the wood in good condition. We carry maintenance supplies for all the wheels we stock, and our in-house repair shop can service any wheel that needs more than basic upkeep.

Can I try a spinning wheel before I buy one?

Absolutely, and we strongly encourage it. If you can visit us in Spokane, our team will set up any wheel in our collection for you to try, walk you through the basics of spinning the yarn, and help you get a real feel for how different wheels handle before you make a decision. There is no substitute for sitting at a wheel and treadling it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

For a first wheel, the most important qualities are ease of setup, adjustability, and mechanical simplicity. You want a wheel that lets you focus on learning the drafting and treadling technique without fighting the equipment. Single drive wheels with scotch tension are widely recommended for beginners because they are forgiving and easy to adjust. Key things to look for include a smooth treadle action, easy whorl changes for adjusting your ratio, and a sturdy, stable build that does not wobble while you work. Brands like Ashford, Schacht, and Kromski all make excellent beginner friendly wheels, and our team can help you compare them based on your specific goals and budget.

A drop spindle is a simple weighted tool that spins freely on a length of twisted fiber, using gravity and momentum to add twist to your drafting fiber. It is inexpensive, portable, and a great way to understand the fundamental concept of spinning. A spinning wheel automates the twist insertion process using a driven spindle and flyer system, allowing you to draft and spin more quickly and with greater control over the yarn you produce. You do not need to learn on a spindle before moving to a wheel - many people start directly on a wheel and do just fine. Spindle experience is valuable but not a prerequisite.

Most home spinning wheels have a footprint of roughly two by three feet, though the specific dimensions vary by model. Many popular wheels - including the Ashford Joy and several Schacht models - are designed to fold compactly for storage or travel, making them much more apartment and small home friendly than you might expect. Floor standing wheels are more stationary but can sit in a corner without taking up much active living space. If portability and compact storage are priorities for you, let us know and we can point you toward the foldable models that are best suited for smaller spaces.

Spinning wheels are mechanical tools and do require occasional maintenance, but it is not complicated or time consuming. The main tasks are oiling moving parts like the spindle bearings, maidens, and treadle pivots with a spinning wheel oil, keeping the drive band tensioned appropriately, and replacing drive bands and brake bands when they stretch or wear out. Drive bands typically last several months to a few years depending on use and can be replaced inexpensively. We have an in house wheel repair shop at our Spokane location where we can service, tune, and repair any wheel - a service that very few fiber arts retailers offer. If something goes wrong with your wheel, we are here to help you fix it.

Most spinning wheels can handle a wide range of fibers with relatively minor adjustments to tension, ratio, and orifice size. Wool is the most beginner friendly fiber and the natural starting point for new spinners. Cotton and other plant fibers can be spun on most wheels but require higher twist ratios and a more refined drafting technique. Silk, alpaca, angora, and exotic fibers like yak and qiviut can all be spun on a wheel and produce extraordinarily beautiful yarn. Some very fine or very coarse fibers benefit from specific wheel configurations, and our team can advise you on whether a particular wheel is well suited to the fibers you most want to work with.

Most people produce recognizable yarn within their very first session on a wheel, even if it is thick, thin, and irregular. Getting to a point where your yarn is consistent and controlled typically takes between a few weeks and a few months of regular practice, depending on how often you sit down at the wheel. Spinning rewards time at the wheel more than anything else - the more you do it, the faster your hands and feet develop the muscle memory for smooth drafting and even twist insertion. Classes help enormously for building a strong foundation, and we offer instruction at our Spokane shop for spinners at every level.

Single drive wheels use one drive band to power either the flyer or the bobbin, with the other component controlled by a separate braking mechanism. They are simpler to adjust, very forgiving for beginners, and cover the needs of most hand spinners beautifully. Double drive wheels use two drive bands, one for the flyer and one for the bobbin, running at different speeds to create a drawing-in action that helps wind yarn onto the bobbin automatically. Double drive gives experienced spinners more control over their take-up and is preferred by many fine spinners who want precision in their drafting. For a first wheel, single drive is almost universally recommended - the simplicity lets you focus on learning the fundamental skills without added complexity.

A drop spindle is a simple, inexpensive tool that teaches the fundamental concepts of drafting and twist insertion in their most basic form. Spinning on a wheel automates the twist insertion using a driven flyer system, which allows you to work faster and with more control once you have the coordination down. Learning on a spindle first is genuinely helpful because it gives you a feel for fiber and twist before adding the coordination of treadling, but it is not a prerequisite. Many people learn directly on a wheel and do very well. The most important thing is getting enough time on the wheel - spinning is a skill that develops through repetition more than anything else, and the sooner you start spinning, the sooner you improve.