Anyone ever use a "Charka" spinning wheel?

[YarnandYoga]

Anyone ever use a "Charka" before. I just bought a book charka from India. It is used primarily for spinning cotton, but I think you can spin fine lambs wool (like pencil roving) as well. I haven't received it yet, but can't wait to try it. Just wondered if anyone had any experience with using one.

[MullersLaneFarm]

I haven't used one but I understand it is much like spinning on a quill spindled wheel.

[YarnandYoga]

Thanks for your reply; I hate to admit how dumb I am , but I don't know what a quill spindled wheel is. I'm a real newbie at this. Hopefully, the charka will come with some detailed instructions. If not, I think I saw a few books on the internet about spinning on one. Also, I've been told that there is an organization here in my home town called the Chattahoochee Weavers Guild. They give demonstrations and sometimes have classes on spinning I think, so maybe I might get some help there too.

Thanks again!!

 

By the way, I checked out your website. What a wonderful life you must have there! I was raised by my grandmother (who was part Native American) and grew up with chickens, gardens, herbs used for medicine, bees, etc. so even though my life doesn't really incorporate most of these things now, I have a soft spot in my heart for all of the "old ways". I tend to be a sort of back-to-nature "old hippie" sort of person. (Also, I love collies - had two when I was growing up!). :dog

[Gran]

I'm still on spindles myself. There is a really nice charkha list at Yahoo. Here's the link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/charkha/

 

Eileen Hallman in North Carolina has a teaching video on how to spin on a charkha. I'll see if I can find a link and post it. I think this is Eileen's own website: http://www.charkha.biz/Tools/pages/2avideo_jpg.htm

 

Here's a useful link: http://www.journeywheel.com/bookvid.php

Another: http://www.woolery.com/Pages/charkhafr.html

 

Here are some nifty, online, tiny videos on hand spinning:

http://www.icanspin.com/toc.htm

 

Hope you like your charkha. Will you post how you get along with it?

[YarnandYoga]

Gran,

Thanks for all the website tips!! I will certainly check them out. I just received my long-awaited Charkha this week (ordered it back on Jan. 2, but there was some kind of shipping delay and it had to come all the way from India). I was very excited to get it, but it looks pretty confusing and I haven't really had time to get into it and see what I can do, but I will let everyone know how it goes! Thanks again for the websites!!

 

[MullersLaneFarm]

You should be able to spin very thin threads with the charka.

 

Have fun with it!!