We decided to get out and have some fun rummaging around antique stores yesterday. This beautiful gem caught my eye. She was labeled simply “Primitive Spinning Wheel” with a price tag of 125.00. With money tight, I ran my hand around it, and continued window shopping. Unbeknownst to me, Slobo haggled for a much lower price. She was waiting for me at the door as we were leaving! He buys me such lovely jewelry! He was chuckling and said he walked right past me with it when I was looking at an old White treadle machine and I never saw him! Apparently the boys were in on it too. Sometimes I’m really glad that I don’t pay better attention. What a lovely surprise and a beautiful gift! Slobo is so good to me!

Some research has revealed her to be made around the late 1700′s to early 1800′s. She’s made with hardwood pegs and square nails. She’s of Irish descent and was made for spinning flax into linen, noted by the wire-hinged compartment used to hold water for finger dipping while spinning. She’s double drive and from what I can tell there are only two replacement parts: the knob which is screwed onto the lid of the compartment and the peg toward the front which (I’m guessing) held the flax as it was being spun. Of course, I haven’t spun a thing in my life – so I am really excited to learn! The pedal action is really smooth. So, as soon as I learn what I’m supposed to do and replace the second drive band, she’s hopefully going to be off and running!

I have some wool roving from Hobby Lobby, but from what I’ve read, it may be difficult to spin because it’s not ‘fresh’? I’ll give it a try anyway since I’ve nothing to lose. Have a look at her – she’s soooooooo beautiful!

Irish Saxon Spinning Wheel pictures on Flickr and Stereo image of a similar wheel being used indoors

Btw – Her name is what else but Cotton Jenny.