Ashford Kiwi Q&A

I spin using an Ashford Kiwi.  I’m very much a beginner with my wheel, but as I learn helpful tips, I plan to post them here for others’ benefit.  A lot of helpful tips you find here come from the Ashford Spinners group on Ravelry.  (If you’re a Ravelry member, be sure to join!)

Do you have a question?

I am very much a beginner at spinning and the Kiwi is my first wheel.  However, I’m more than willing to share any wisdom I’ve learned as I’m learning to spin.  If you have questions, please feel free to ask!

1. Where can I purchase an Ashford spinning wheel?

   There are lots of options for places to purchase your wheel. The first thing most people will tell you is that you really should, if at all possible, try out a wheel before you buy. In that case, you'll want to try and find a local retailer so you can test out the wheel. You can search for a local retailer of Ashford products using the form on this website. Another option is to attend a fiber festival where vendors who sell spinning wheels will be exhibiting. An extensive list of knitting events, including fiber festivals, can be found here. A final option is to order online. This is what I did. I purchased my wheel from The Woolery, which I can highly recommend. Their shipping was free, remarkably fast, and they even included free extras with the purchase of a wheel! (Can't get much better than that...!)

2. How do I assemble my new Ashford Kiwi?

   I'm not especially handy but I had no major problems with the Kiwi. The wheel should include a folder with detailed directions on how to assemble the wheel. If, for some reason, yours did not include directions, you can download them in PDF format from the Ashford website.

3. I purchased my wheel unfinished. Could/should I finish it?

   That's entirely up to you! Everyone is different and prefers a different look for their wheel. Keep in mind that the Kiwi's wheel itself is MDF but the other parts are wood, therefore the wheel will absorb finishes a little differently than the other parts. I've seen Kiwis that were stained and varnished, ones that were hand-painted in all sorts of designs, and ones that were left as-is. All of them were lovely. I chose to finish my wheel in a rich red-color. I used Minwax Polyshades, which is a stain and polyurethane finish in one. Keep in mind this is not a water-based stain, so you'll need mineral spirits for cleanup and you'll want to work with good venthilation and take other appropriate precautions. I did about 3 coats of finish on the wheel. Be sure to let it dry adequately between coats (overnight is good). I'm extremely pleased with the results!

4. I'm having difficulty getting the brake band adjusted properly...?

   Me too! I struggled with this quite a lot. I asked in the Ashford Spinners group on Ravelry and the advice I was given was to remove one of the two springs from the brake band. Some people recommended the one on the left side, others recommended the one on the right side. I tried removing the spring on the left side and it has made a world of difference. Also: brake bands can be replaced with kitchen string or pony bead lacing if needed.

5. Hello, My wife bought an Ashford Kiwi for our daughter this past weekend. They are both very interested and excited but there were no instructions for how to use it (how to thread it to start?). They bought it assembled so at least that is done. If we could get a guide on how to use that model it would be great. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jeff

   I highly recommend checking out www.joyofhandspinning.com. The site has videos in the sidebar that show how to get started and they're extremely helpful. I would also VERY much recommend the book Start Spinning: Everything You Need to Know to Make Great Yarn. It's very inexpensive (under $15 on Amazon) and it is a phenomenal resource. I've been spinning for several months and I go back to referencing this book again and again whenever I have questions.

6. I just bought my Kiwi and need to assemble it. I decided to stain it, with Minwax Polyshades, but now don't know if it's best to assemble it BEFORE I stain it, or after. Any suggestions? Thanks! Carolyn

   I stained mine in pieces before it was assembled and I think that was definitely easier. There's a lot of "nooks and crannies" that would be difficult to get to once the wheel is assembled. You'll want to do at least 2 coats of the Polyshades, or more if you want richer color. Make sure you let it dry completely between coats and before you assemble it. It's a long process, especially when you're anxious to start spinning, but it's well worth it! Good luck and I'd love to see photos when you're done!

7. I bought an Ashford Kiwi, but the left treadle never worked properly, and I had to return it :(. Then I spent WAY too much and just ordered a Louet because I was so disgusted. Does your Kiwi spin smoothly and easily? The lady at the shop told me "Well, it is a $300 wheel, and it just won't spin like a $600 wheel." Ugh. I really liked it too, and might think about another one (to get scotch tension instead of irish) if my bum Kiwi was just a fluke. Thanks for any info! And I have loved seeing your finished Kiwi on your site! Blessings Rori

   First, to be perfectly honest, I haven't had the opportunity to spin with anything except my Kiwi, so I don't think it's really fair for me to compare it to the "Cadillac" level of wheels. That being said, I have been extremely satisfied with my little $300(-ish) Kiwi! It did take a little tinkering to get the brake band adjusted such that it was comfortable, but I have never had issues treadling. I would venture to say maybe yours was a fluke. I hope you'll give it another chance with a Kiwi or another wheel! Don't give up!

8. Is there an option to make the Kiwi double drive instead of just scotch tension?

   Unfortunately, no. Unless there's an option I'm unaware of, the Kiwi is available as scotch tension only. If you're interested in a double drive Ashford, you'd need to go up to a Traveller or a Traditional wheel. The Woolery has an excellent page that explains the single (scotch tension) and double drive options for those two wheels here. I hope that helps!

9. This is more of a thank you than a question. I just won the bid on ebay for a kiwi and I am doing some web research. I came across your postings. Thanks for sharing some of your experience with me. I'm so excited. I'll probably nibble my fingernails to the quick waiting for it to arrive. I have a web site where I share info about one of my hobbies. It is dicroimages.com. I think it is great to share our passion with others and again thank you for taking the time to set up this web site. Much appreciated. Happy spinning! Tina

   Tina, Congrats on your new Kiwi. Your jewelry is beautiful too! What a multi-talented woman you are. Good luck with your spinning and let me know how you like your new wheel when it arrives!