Ashford Joy 2 Spinning Wheel

The Ashford Joy 2 is a folding, single-drive spinning wheel built for spinners who want to spin anywhere. It uses Scotch tension (a single drive band with a separate brake band on the bobbin), which makes it forgiving to learn and easy to control. The wheel arrives assembled and lacquered, ready to spin in minutes. It folds to a compact size and packs into a padded carry bag, so it is a common choice as a first wheel, a travel wheel, and a second wheel for workshops and guild days. Paradise Fibers stocks both versions: the single treadle (one foot pedal) and the double treadle (two foot pedals). Both spin the same four ratios and use the same flyer and bobbins, and the Joy 2 handles fine to medium yarns comfortably out of the box.

Who the Ashford Joy 2 is for

The Joy 2 is a good fit if you want one wheel that travels well and still spins a full range of everyday yarns. Beginners like it because the Scotch tension is easy to adjust and forgiving of uneven drafting, and because it arrives assembled. Experienced spinners keep it as a portable second wheel for classes, retreats, and trips. The wheel and flyer run on ball bearings, so the wheel spins smoothly and quietly.

The four ratios and how it spins

The Joy 2 has four flyer-to-wheel ratios: 6, 8, 11, and 14 to 1. Use 6:1 for coarse fibers and thicker yarns, and the higher ratios of 11 and 14 for fine fibers and finer singles. You change ratios by moving the drive band to a different groove on the whorl, not by swapping whorls, so the four ratios are fixed. For most spinners that range covers bulky through fine singles. The drive band is stretchy and self-adjusting, so it holds the correct tension when you move between ratios without a separate adjustment. The treadles are mounted on polyurethane hinges for a smooth heel-to-toe action.

Single treadle or double treadle: how to choose

The single treadle has one foot pedal; the double treadle has two. Both drive the same flyer, spin the same four ratios, and share nearly the same footprint. The practical difference is treadling comfort. A double treadle lets you push with both feet, which makes it easier to keep a steady rhythm during long sessions and to start smoothly. A single treadle is simpler and a little lighter. On our showroom floor, spinners new to treadling often settle into a steady rhythm faster on the double treadle, while spinners who already treadle comfortably are happy on either. The double treadle is slightly heavier. If you are undecided and expect long spinning sessions, the double treadle is the safer pick, and the price difference between the two is small.

Ashford Joy 2 specifications

The single treadle weighs 11 lb (5 kg). The Joy 2 folds to 40 x 64 x 16.5 cm and spins four ratios of 6, 8, 11, and 14 to 1.

What comes in the box

• Sliding hook flyer, fitted to the wheel
• 3 large 90 mm bobbins
• Built-in lazy kate in the base, holds two bobbins
• Learn to Spin booklet
• Padded, backpack-style carry bag

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ashford Joy 2 good for beginners?

Yes. The Scotch tension is easy to set and forgiving, the wheel arrives assembled, and the ball bearings make treadling smooth from the first session. The assembled build and forgiving tension make it a common choice for a first wheel.

Should I get the single treadle or the double treadle?

Both spin identically. Choose the double treadle if you want two-footed comfort for long sessions or you are new to treadling. Choose the single treadle for a simpler, slightly lighter wheel. See the treadle section above for the full comparison.

What is the difference between the Ashford Joy 2 and the older Joy 1?

The current Joy 2 spins four ratios (6, 8, 11, and 14 to 1), takes a 130 g (4 to 5 oz) bobbin, and uses the sliding hook flyer. Earlier Joy wheels used a different ratio set and a smaller bobbin, so specifications you find for an older Joy will not match the Joy 2 sold today.

How does the Joy 2 compare to other Ashford wheels?

The Joy 2 is the folding wheel in the Ashford range, built to pack into a bag and travel. Ashford's other wheels, such as the Kiwi, are stationary full-size wheels meant to stay in one place. Choose the Joy 2 if portability matters most; choose a full-size wheel if it will live in one spot.

Can I take the Joy 2 on a plane as carry-on?

The Joy 2 folds to 40 x 64 x 16.5 cm and packs into its padded carry bag, so it fits many overhead and under-seat spaces. Airline cabin size rules vary, so check your airline's current carry-on limits before you fly.

Is the Joy 2 single drive or double drive?

Single drive with Scotch tension. One stretchy drive band turns the flyer, and a separate brake band with a tension knob controls the bobbin and your take-up.

Can the Joy 2 spin art yarn or bulky yarn?

The standard sliding hook flyer spins bulky singles well at the 6:1 ratio, but the orifice is 1 cm (3/8 in), so very thick or highly textured art yarns can be too large to pass through. For thick and textured singles, add the Ashford Joy Freedom Flyer Kit, a jumbo flyer with a larger orifice and bobbin.

What fiber should I start with on the Joy 2?

Start with a smooth combed top in a medium wool such as Corriedale or Merino. A medium micron drafts easily and stays forgiving while you learn, and it suits the fine to medium singles the standard flyer spins best.

How much does the Ashford Joy 2 weigh?

The single treadle weighs 11 lb (5 kg). The double treadle is slightly heavier. Both fold and pack into the carry bag.

Does the Joy 2 come assembled?

Yes, it arrives assembled and lacquered. You unfold it, fit the drive band and brake band, thread the flyer, and spin. No woodworking or gluing is required.

How do I ply on the Joy 2?

Spin your singles onto separate bobbins, drop those bobbins into the built-in lazy kate in the base below the wheel, then run the strands up through the flyer at a low ratio such as 6:1 to twist them into a plied yarn.

How do I care for the Joy 2?

Wipe the wheel down to keep it clean and add an occasional drop of oil to the flyer shaft and moving joints.

How many bobbins come with it, and can I buy more?

The Joy 2 ships with three 90 mm bobbins and a built-in lazy kate in the base that holds two for plying. You can add more of the exact same Ashford 90 mm sliding hook bobbins so you can spin several singles before you ply.

Compatible accessories

• Ashford 90 mm sliding hook bobbins, the exact bobbins the Joy 2 uses, so you can hold more singles between plying.
• Ashford Joy Freedom Flyer Kit, a jumbo flyer with a larger orifice for thick and textured yarn the 1 cm orifice cannot take.
• Ashford Upright Lazy Kate, a freestanding kate that holds three bobbins when you want to ply away from the wheel.
• Ashford Scotch tension wheels, if you want to compare the Joy 2 against other wheels with the same drive mechanism.

Why buy the Joy 2 from Paradise Fibers

Paradise Fibers runs an in-house spinning wheel repair and service shop in Spokane, Washington. A trained tech has hands on these wheels, and in our shop the Joy 2 rarely comes in for drive-train trouble; the ball bearings and polyurethane hinges hold up well over years of use. Our Spokane showroom keeps spinning wheels in stock, so you can come treadle a single and a double Joy 2 side by side and feel the difference before you choose (call ahead so we can have both set up). The retail showroom is open six days a week.

About Ashford

Ashford is a New Zealand family company that has built spinning wheels and fiber tools for generations. The Joy line is its folding travel wheel, designed to pack down small while keeping a real flyer, a full set of ratios, and Ashford's smooth lacquer finish. To compare the Joy 2 with the rest of the range, browse the Ashford spinning wheel collection.