Spinning wheel for beginners: 6 models compared

Almost every second enquiry we get sounds something like this: "I'd like to start spinning. Which wheel should I get, without spending too much?" It's a good question, and it has an honest answer. In this guide I'll show you the six spinning wheels we recommend most often to beginners, and tell you which one I would choose myself.

In short: our best-selling beginner wheel is the Kromski Fantasia from €479. If you'd rather treadle with one foot, take the Kromski Prelude from €489. The most affordable is the Louet S17 from €390.

Spinning wheel for beginners: what really matters

A first spinning wheel doesn't have to do everything. Above all, it should run easily, be simple to adjust and forgive you when your yarn is still thick and thin in the first few hours. Three things matter more than any technical detail:

• The wheel should treadle smoothly and evenly, without effort.
• The tension (how strongly the yarn is pulled onto the bobbin) should be easy to fine tune.
• It should have a few ratios, so you can spin finer or thicker yarns later on.

Since we started Berliner Spinnräder, we've sold more than 50 spinning wheels. Most customers want exactly this: a good wheel that spins easily, at the lowest sensible price to get started. Around 80 percent of them had a double treadle, and more than 40 percent of all wheels sold were a single model: the Kromski Fantasia. More on that below.

Single or double treadle to start with?

With a single treadle you use one foot, with a double treadle both. Our course leader Vanessa is very clear about it: for beginners, the double treadle is easier. With both feet you treadle more evenly, the wheel runs more smoothly and turns backwards less often. At the start that matters more than you'd think.

Vanessa sees it in almost every course: for the first 90 minutes or so, the yarn keeps breaking. Then at some point you hear an "Oh". Suddenly nothing breaks any more, you treadle evenly and the wheel simply keeps turning. With a double treadle, that moment usually comes a little sooner.

A single treadle is still a good choice. It's simpler, the wheel is often lighter, and many spinners are happy with one for life. To learn more, read our guide Single or double treadle: which spinning wheel is better?

The 6 beginner wheels compared

Model	Treadle	Tension	Ratios	Weight	Price from
Louet S17	Single or double	Irish Tension	3 (5.5:1 to 10.5:1)	5 kg	€390
Lojan Buddy	Wide single or double	Dutch Tension	5 (4:1 to 18:1)	5.5 kg	€415
Kromski Fantasia (our best-seller)	Double	Scotch Tension	4 (5:1 to 16:1)	5.7 kg	€479
Kromski Prelude	Single	Scotch Tension	3 (6:1 to 13:1)	4 kg	€489
Kromski Interlude	Single	Scotch Tension	3 (6:1 to 13:1)	approx. 4 kg	€599
Louet S10 Concept	Single or double	Scotch or Irish Tension	3 (5.5:1 to 10.5:1), expandable to 27:1	approx. 6 kg	€648

Scotch, Irish or Dutch Tension: what does it mean?

The terms in the Tension column describe how the wheel pulls the yarn onto the bobbin. With Scotch Tension the drive band turns the flyer and a thin brake cord slows the bobbin. That lets you fine tune the take-up very precisely, which is pleasant for beginners. Irish Tension works the other way round: the band drives the bobbin and the flyer is braked. The wheel pulls in more firmly and suits thicker yarns. Dutch Tension, as on the Lojan Buddy, is a variant with a finely adjustable brake. All three systems work well for beginners. What matters more is that you can adjust the tension in small steps.

Louet S17: the lowest-priced way in

The Louet S17 is the most affordable wheel in our range. It comes as a kit made of beech multiplex, and you assemble it completely yourself. With Irish Tension it pulls the yarn in firmly, which suits thicker yarns. If your budget is really tight, the S17 is a solid wheel. But to be honest, in wood and finish it doesn't compare with a Kromski.

Lojan Buddy: a lot of wheel for little money

The Lojan Buddy from the Netherlands has five ratios and large bobbins of about 200 g. The version with a wide single treadle board is a good compromise: you can treadle it with one foot or both. If you travel a lot, have a look at the folding Travel Buddy.

Kromski Fantasia: our best-selling beginner wheel

At €479 the Kromski Fantasia is the most affordable Kromski, and it's the wheel I'm happiest to recommend to beginners. It's solid wood, cleanly machined and beautifully finished. You can tell Kromski has been building spinning wheels for around 50 years. It has a double treadle, four ratios, three bobbins and a built-in lazy kate. That's handy if you want to keep different yarns on the bobbins and ply them later.

Something we notice again and again: customers who spun on other wheels before often come back to Kromski in the end.

Kromski Prelude: the best single treadle for beginners

The Kromski Prelude is our best-selling single treadle wheel, and for good reason. It's a classic Saxony wheel in a compact size: a 45 cm drive wheel, only 4 kg, yet made of solid wood with Kromski's typical turned details. Leather bearings and a brass bushing keep it running smoothly and quietly. You'll notice that most when you spin in the living room in the evening.

With Scotch Tension you set the take-up with a single knob, which is pleasantly simple for beginners. Three ratios (6:1, 10.5:1 and 13:1) cover medium to thicker yarns. Three bobbins and a built-in lazy kate are included, so you can make a two-ply yarn straight away. If you want to spin thick art yarns later, simply add a jumbo flyer. The Prelude comes unfinished, clear lacquered, walnut or mahogany, and like all Kromski wheels it has a 5-year warranty.

Kromski Interlude: classic and small

The Kromski Interlude is the wheel for anyone who likes things simple. Technically it's close to the Prelude: single treadle, Scotch Tension and the same three ratios. The drive wheel is slightly larger at 46 cm, and the lines are cleaner and more pared back, so it fits nicely into a modern home.

At around 4 kg you can easily carry it to another room or a spinning group, and it takes up little space. It comes with three bobbins, a lazy kate, a threading hook and a maintenance kit with oil and tools. For thick art yarns there's an optional jumbo flyer. The Interlude is also available unfinished, clear lacquered, walnut or mahogany, with a 5-year warranty.

Louet S10 Concept: a wheel that grows with you

The Louet S10 Concept is Louët's modular spinning wheel from the Netherlands. You put it together yourself when you order: Scotch or Irish Tension, single or double treadle, and one of three drive wheels (the classic S10 wheel, the three-spoke Julia wheel or the new five-spoke wheel). That makes 12 possible versions.

The real advantage shows later: you can rebuild it at any time without buying a new wheel. Switch from single to double treadle, from Scotch to Irish Tension, or fit a different drive wheel. With the high-speed kit you can spin fine yarns up to 27:1, and with the art yarn flyer thick novelty yarns. The wheel arrives lacquered and ready to spin, and it can be taken apart completely and carried in its matching bag. If you're looking for a wheel that grows with your skills, the S10 Concept is an excellent choice.

Which wheel would I choose myself?

If you ask me which wheel to start with, I almost always say: the Fantasia. Yes, the S17 is about €90 cheaper. But with the Fantasia you get solid wood, a double treadle, a lazy kate and a finish you'll enjoy for years. Most people who start spinning don't stop any time soon.

If you'd rather treadle with one foot or have little space, take the Prelude. And if your budget is really tight, the S17 and the Lojan Buddy are good, honest wheels. You'll find all models side by side on our page Which spinning wheel is right for me?

What else you need to get started

Less than most people think. Vanessa tells her courses: you really only need a niddy noddy to wind off your finished yarn. The Kromski Niddy Noddy doesn't cost much. Bobbins and spinning oil come with most wheels.

For fibre, Vanessa recommends a slightly stickier wool that perhaps isn't fully washed yet. It holds together better and the yarn breaks less often. Very smooth, fine fibres such as merino are better saved for later.

The most common mistakes in the first few hours

The typical mistake Vanessa sees in almost every course: holding everything too tightly. If you grip the fibres too hard, too much twist runs into the yarn and it turns out uneven. Hold the fibres loosely, treadle calmly and let the wheel do the work. And don't worry if the yarn breaks at first. It happens to everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Which spinning wheel is best for beginners?
For most beginners we recommend the Kromski Fantasia. It has a double treadle, four ratios and a very good finish. If you'd prefer a single treadle, the Kromski Prelude is a great choice.

How much does a good beginner spinning wheel cost?
Good beginner wheels start at around €400. Between €450 and €650 you get solid wood wheels with more ratios and a double treadle.

Is a double treadle better for beginners?
In most cases, yes. With both feet you treadle more evenly and the wheel turns backwards less often. But a single treadle is also easy to learn.

Can I teach myself to spin?
Yes. Many people learn with videos and patience. It's quicker in a spinning course, because someone shows you how loosely to hold the fibres.

Do I have to assemble the spinning wheel myself?
The Louet S17 comes as a kit. Kromski wheels arrive pre-assembled and are set up in a few steps.