Spinning wheel

Spinning Wheels in American Homes

American women did make heavy use of the spinning wheel in America’s colonial days. Probate records (lists of things people own when they die) from homes in Connecticut and Massachusetts show that by 1674, 50 percent of homes owned a spinning wheel. 

From Wool to Yarn

This particular device was used to make yarn from wool. Spinning wheels help to twist fibers together tightly as a person draws out the yarn with their fingers. Smaller spinning wheels with a foot pedal are also common and were used to spin flax into linen.

Walking Wheel

The walking wheel transforms wool into yarn by spinning the wheel and walking forward and backward in a pattern to encourage the wool or other fiber to twist. Many other spinning wheels were used while sitting down and operated with a foot pedal.