A spinning wheel as a gift: which wheel and what to add

A spinning wheel is not a present you grab on the way past the supermarket shelf. It takes up room, it costs a fair amount, and at its best it stays with someone for many years. That is exactly why people remember it.

Every year before Christmas I get calls and emails from people who want to give a spinning wheel and are not sure which one to choose. In this guide I share what I have learned from those conversations: who buys spinning wheels as gifts, which models work well, what belongs in the parcel and when a gift card is the better choice.

A spinning wheel as a gift: for whom and for which occasion?

When I look at the gift orders of the last few months, I mostly see three situations.

The partner buying a wheel for his wife

Most often it is a man buying a spinning wheel for his wife, who already loves spinning or has always wanted to start. Sometimes it is her very first wheel, sometimes a new one because the old one is no longer enough or because it has been on her wish list for years.

The gift to yourself

This happens more often than you might think. A customer once told me she was rewarding herself and finally buying her dream wheel. I love that. If you have spun on a simple wheel for years, you are allowed to treat yourself at Christmas.

The occasions

Christmas is the classic, but far from the only occasion. Our customers also give spinning wheels for birthdays, especially the big ones, for wedding anniversaries or for other anniversaries. A spinning wheel suits any moment when you want to give something that lasts.

Which spinning wheel makes a good gift?

When someone gives a spinning wheel, it is usually a beginner model. I think that is exactly right. A good beginner wheel spins easily, forgives mistakes and can be upgraded later. These are the three wheels I recommend most often as a gift.

Kromski Fantasia

The Kromski Fantasia, from €479, is our best selling wheel. About 40 percent of all wheels we sell are Fantasias. It has four ratios, a magnetic flyer and comes in several colours, which makes it a lovely gift because you can pick a colour that suits the person.

Lojan Buddy

The Lojan Buddy double treadle, from €455, is a modern beech wheel with large bobbins and an open orifice. It runs quietly and is a very fairly priced start.

Louet S17

The Louet S17, from €390, is the most affordable Louet wheel. It comes as an unfinished kit. For some people that is the whole point: building the wheel together, oiling or painting it and making it truly their own.

You can read more about beginner wheels in Spinning wheel for beginners. All wheels of one brand are on our pages Kromski Spinning Wheels, Louet Spinning Wheels and Lojan Spinning Wheels.

Single or double treadle?

In most cases I recommend a double treadle. Both feet work, which is more comfortable in the long run, and about 80 percent of the wheels we sell have a double treadle.

Some spinners already know they prefer treadling with one foot, or have a particular brand in mind. If you have picked up on something like that, take it seriously. Our best selling single treadle wheel is the Kromski Prelude, from €489. I explain the difference in detail in Single or double treadle: which spinning wheel is better?

Spinning class or experience: what to know first

For me this is the most important point. You should know which wheel you are giving, and above all, to whom.

If the person already spins, you probably know a few of her preferences. Maybe she has mentioned a particular wheel, or sat at a wheel at a market and did not want to get up again. That is your best clue.

If she has never spun, make sure to add a spinning class. Sitting alone at a wheel and getting nowhere is frustrating. In a class you learn the rhythm of treadling and drafting in a few hours. Have a look at our spinning courses or ask at a studio near you.

A small tip: you can talk about spinning wheels casually without giving the surprise away. Ask what would matter to her in a wheel. Her answers will help you more than any comparison.

What else belongs in the gift?

A spinning wheel on its own is already a big present. Two small extras make it complete.

• Fibre, so she can start spinning on the very first evening. Our Kromski merino top, from €9, spins well and comes in many colours. You will find more in Fibres for spinning.
• A niddy noddy: with the Kromski niddy noddy, from €15, the first yarn is wound into a skein. It was our best selling item of the last twelve months.

If the person does not spin yet, a spinning class makes the parcel complete. The wheel then becomes a real starter kit.

Not sure? Give a gift card

If you are not sure which wheel to choose, I recommend a gift card. A spinning wheel is a very personal thing. If she can choose herself, she will pick exactly the wheel that suits her, and she gets the fun of choosing too.

So that nobody has to wait long after the holidays, we can reserve the wheel she wants on request. Just tell us which model is on the list. And if she needs help choosing, we are happy to advise by phone or email. Our page Which spinning wheel is right for me? is a good first overview.

Your dream wheel as a reward

If you want to treat yourself and have been spinning for a few years, it can be more than a beginner wheel. Some dream of a large Saxony wheel like the Kromski Symphony, others of a travel wheel like the Kromski Sonata Encore or a folding Lendrum from Canada. There is no right or wrong here. Your dream wheel is the one you look forward to every time you sit down.

Spinning wheel gift FAQ

Which spinning wheel is a good gift for a beginner?
A double treadle beginner wheel, for example the Kromski Fantasia from €479 or the Lojan Buddy from €455. The Louet S17 from €390 is more affordable and comes as a kit.

What should I give along with the wheel?
Some fibre to get started and a niddy noddy. If the person has never spun, add a spinning class.

Can I give a gift card for a spinning wheel?
Yes. I always recommend it if you are unsure about the model. We can reserve the wheel she wants on request, so nobody has to wait long after the holidays.

Is a spinning wheel only a Christmas present?
No. Many people give a spinning wheel for a birthday, a wedding anniversary or another anniversary. And some simply buy one for themselves.

Single or double treadle as a gift?
Usually a double treadle, as it is more comfortable in the long run. If you know the person prefers one foot, the Kromski Prelude is a good choice.