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Current Issue: #51 - January 2006

One of my goals, when I began this newsletter thirteen years ago, was to provide a forum for discussions about spinning wheels. When I mentioned Scandinavian spinning wheels, several readers came forward with information and unusual examples. The Inquiry about "flax boxes" also brought forth a variety of responses, some practical and some theoretical.

Scandinavian Spinning Wheels in the Midwest
by Nancy Ellison

Nancy Ellison of Zumbrota, MN, has had a long-time interest in Scandinavian spinning wheels. Mostly she has focused on wheels from Norway. But having recently acquired a group of Swedish wheels, she studied them for variations and found some unusual structures.

Swedish spinning wheel
Collection of Nancy Ellison

Wheel marked JOHAN KACK
Collection of Nancy Ellison

Horizontal Norwegian Spinning Wheels
by Grace Hatton

To study the different structural styles in Norwegian spinning wheels, Grace Hatton of Hawley, PA, contacted Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, IA. Working from pictures of their wheels, Grace found three major types of spinning wheels with some variations within each type.

Type Two
Courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

Type Three
Courtesy of Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

Two Unusual Norwegian Spinning Wheels

Two unusual Norwegian spinning wheels are presented by Grant Betzner of Branchton, ON, and Carol O'Neale Culnan of Strasburg, VA. Grant's wheel is a rare spindle wheel, and Carol's has a strange arrangement for the footman.

Norwegian spindle wheel
Collection of Grant Betzner

Wheel marked O. TRAGOTON Collection of Carol O'Neale Culnan
Collection of Carol O'Neale Culnan

Update: Flax Boxes
by Florence Feldman-Wood

Many readers had thoughts on the "flax boxes." Evidence seems to indicate that they are bobbin winders. But no one is sure how they operate. Peter Teal of Tauton, England, suggests one possible low-tech method.

Flat Box
Collection of Diane Howes

Three Spinning Boxes
by Jane Lenderman-Kruse

Jane Lenderman-Kruse of Bonner Springs, KS, has three of these objects, which are called "spinning boxes" in the Midwest. She describes the variations that she found.

Spinning boxes Collection of Jane Lenderman-Kruse

Now available Index to Issues #1 to #50 [1993-2005] in paper or PDF format.