Schacht Spinning Wheel Whorls

Schacht Spinning Wheel Whorls let spinners change spinning ratios on the fly to match the project. Each whorl is a double-grooved hard maple disk that mounts on the flyer shaft. The two grooves give two ratios per whorl, so the six speeds (Extra Slow, Slow, Medium, Fast, High, Super High) cover twelve ratios total on every Schacht wheel. Made in Boulder, Colorado.

Whorls are interchangeable across the Flatiron, Ladybug, Matchless, and Sidekick. Each new wheel ships with the Medium and Fast whorls included; the other four are sold separately as the spinner's repertoire grows.

Choose your speed

• Extra Slow Speed (note: not compatible with the Sidekick)
• Slow Speed
• Medium Speed (included with all wheels)
• Fast Speed (included with all wheels)
• High Speed
• Super High Speed

The High Speed and Super High Speed whorls in double drive require the High Speed Bobbin. In Scotch tension mode, any bobbin works at any whorl ratio.

What do whorls do?

Whorls set the spinning ratio: the relationship between drive band revolutions and bobbin revolutions. A bigger whorl (slower) puts less twist into the yarn, suiting chunky and bulky yarns. A smaller whorl (faster) puts more twist in, suiting fine singles, cotton, and laceweight. Each whorl's two grooves give a slightly different ratio between the same speed pair, so a six-whorl set actually covers twelve ratios. Per-wheel ratio tables live on each Matchless, Ladybug, Flatiron, and Sidekick page.

Which whorl should I use?

It depends on treadling rate, the fiber, and the target yarn. There are no hard rules. The general principle: the bigger the whorl, the coarser the fiber and the thicker the yarn; the smaller the whorl, the finer the fiber and the smaller the yarn. Choose a whorl that lets the wheel do as much of the work as possible.

Maple and cherry

Whorls are made of hard maple by default. Cherry-finish whorls are produced for spinners coordinating with Schacht's limited cherry wheels. Cherry runs are seasonal; check current availability on each variant.

Specifications

• Material: Solid hard maple (cherry available)
• Six speeds: Extra Slow through Super High
• Two grooves per whorl, two ratios per whorl
• Made in Boulder, Colorado

Pairs well with

• High Speed Bobbin (required for High and Super High whorls in double drive)
• Standard Bobbin in Maple for everyday spinning
• Bulky Bobbin with the Bulky Flyer Package for chunky and art yarn
• Industrious Collapsible Lazy Kate for plying