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Charkha and Spindle Wheels




The Authentic Gandhi Charkha Wheel

Imported from INDIA by New Voyager Trading, this is the authentic "Gandhi" Charkha Wheel. You might recall Ben Kingsley in the movie spinning on one of these. Hand-crafted in teak by an Indian firm for domestic users (yes, they are still used today), the most popular size is the book Charkha (2"x9.75"x6.5"). It includes 3 spindles, cotton drive band, a skeiner and instructions. Everything folds up into a case that has the contours of a hardback book. Ideal for spinning short staple fibers such as cotton or lamb's fine wool into fine yarns. Also good for silk, angora, cashmere, dog hair, or any fine fiber. Ratio: 100 to 1. Options: extra spindles, poly drive band. Suggestion: Try spinning cotton punis from India or pencil roving on the Charkha.

Note: this product is a true charkha wheel handmade in India. As such, each wheel will have slight cosmetic differences. While these charkhas are made of teak and carefully finished (unlike many charkhas we have seen coming out of India), they cannot be expected to have the same fine finish an American spinner is used to seeing in western wheels. It is just the nature of the product as made and used in India. We hope you enjoy your charkha, a very efficient tool and a sure conversation piece!

CHA-0088 - $145 - this includes shipping in U.S.
 
CHA-0089 - $152 - this includes shipping in U.S. plus 2 oz. of cotton sliver and a small sample (several yards) of Pencil roving (our choice of color).
 
CHA-0090 - $179 - SPECIAL PACKAGE: this includes shipping in U.S. plus 2 oz. of cotton sliver and "Spinning Cotton on the Charkha" (a $39.95 value - see information below) on Video or DVD.

 Video    DVD   
Speed Kit - continuous, smooth surface for both drive bands - the main drive and the spindle drive. Makes for a much easier feel and smooth operation.

CHA-1063 Charkha Speed Kit - $12

 

Extra charkha spindle

CHA-3300 - $12


 




Gandhi by Demi: in beautiful language and exquisite illustrations, Demi tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi who encouraged the people of India to spin their own yarn as a way to show their independence from the British. Hardcover.
Ages 7-adult. $19.95.


 




Spinning Cotton on the Charkha with Eileen Hallman: Eileen is perhaps the foremost instructor for charkha spinning in the US. The classes she offers all over the country can now be found in this new video.

Information is presented in 2 sections: Basic Techniques and Charkha Proficiency. For the beginner, learn about assembling the Indian charkha wheel, safety tips, basic spinning techniques, potential problems and their solutions, techniques for winding on, storing spindles in the middle of a project, setting up and using the charkha and skeiner.

In the second section you will learn how to start a new spindle without a leader, a variety of speed spinning techniques, ways to achieve consistency which include tools and techniques to measure your yarn diameter, twist angle and yarn count. 84 minutes. Specify Video or DVD. $39.95.


 Video    DVD 

Charkha Spinning: Tips & Techniques with E. Benfatto: how to spin on a charkha. Covers the principles of spinning on a spindle wheel: beginning and advanced drafting and spinning techniques, fiber selection and preparation, troubleshooting and more. While most of the spinning demonstrations are done on a Banjo charkha, the instructions are generic, not specific to any charkha model and can be used to learn to spin on an Indian or Journey charkha. 75 minutes. Specify Video or DVD. $35

 Video    DVD 

COTTON PUNIS: Ready-to-spin, imported from India, these are the perfect companion fiber for the Charkha, although they can of course be spun on any wheel. The way they are prepared makes spinning cotton a pleasure. They come in 100-gram.-bundles. Sample: $1.50.

FIB-4000 - Per bundle - $14. Picture

 


100% WOOL PENCIL ROVING Color Card

Very easy to spin, this thin continuous roving can also be knitted (using one or + strands) immediately without any spinning. Spins great on the charkha! Made from Columbia sheep's wool and great for fulling (knitting and felting) a garment. It comes in natural and dyed colors.

Approximately 6 oz. 1260-yard cheese - $12.50.

WOO-1W - White (natural) - $12.50 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE ****
WOO-1GG - Medium Grey (natural) - $12.50 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE ****
WOO-1DG - Dark Grey (natural) - $12.50 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE ****
WOO-1P - Pink - $12.50
WOO-1BUT - Buttercream (beige) - $12.50
WOO-1L - Lilac (Purple heather) - $12.50 TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE ****
WOO-1F - Burgundy (Fuschia heather) - $12.50
WOO-1C - Clover (Green heather) - $12.50
WOO-1DB - Denim (Blue Denim heather) - $12.50

Make Selection Here
    White Temporarily Unavailable
    Medium Grey Temporarily Unavailable
    Dark Grey Temporarily Unavailable
    Pink
    Buttercream
    Lilac Temporarily Unavailable
    Burgundy
    Clover
    Denim


Mother Marion's Kick Spindle

Also called Mother Marion's Magnificent Spinning Machine, this handy spindle works much like a drop spindle but allows you to sit down while spinning. Just turn the large whorl with your foot (or place it on a table and use your hand) and spin off the tip of the spindle. Beautifully crafted of cherry or walnut and hand-finished with several coats of Danish oil and a final coat of Crystalwax finishing wax for a nice sheen. Each spindle has been spun-tested by the manufacturer and comes with instructions and a starter spun yarn. Base is 5" by 12", height from base to top of spindle is 15" and diameter of kickwheel is 5 3/4". A wonderful portable tool and a sure conversation piece!



MAR-1 - cherry - $98
MAR-2
- walnut - $98

Extra spindles for Mother Marion:

MAR-XC - cherry - $24
MAR-XW
- walnut - $24




BABE LITTLE SPIDER (or Liten Spindel in Swedish)

Weighing just 2 pounds, 11 ounces, Babe's "Little Spider" is extremely portable. Simply set it on a table or on the floor to operate. It comes with Babe's Sure Foot, so it remains securely anchored during use. Small enough to be easily stowed away when not in use. It features a 12" diameter wheel, ball bearings, a 9" spindle, and a polyurethane drive band. A safety cork, to cover the tip of the spindle when not in use, is included.

No adjustments are necessary after the simple assembly. Ratios are 20:1, 17:1 and 14:1. The ball bearings enable the Little Spider to spin effortlessly. Great for cotton, wool, silk and many other fibers!

BAB-0012 - Babe Little Spider $116.

 






The ASHFORD CHARKHA

The new Ashford "charkha" is an upright accelerated quill spindle wheel. Made of New Zeland silverbeech, it features a tapered stainless steel spindle, ball bearings for smooth action, a polyband, adjustable tension and rubber feet for tabletop spinning. The 9" wheel can be assembled for either left or right hand cranking and 2 ratios are possible: 16 and 80 to 1 (the latter when using the accelerating countershaft). The wheel comes with a Danish oil finish.

ASH-CH - Ashford Charkha $265 includes shipping.

 






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This page was last update on: Wednesday, July 2, 2008

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