Portable spinning wheels come in many styles and sizes: folding wheels, charkhas, kick spindles, and electric wheels. You may be surprised—even a wheel that’s not so small might travel well with these few tips.
1. Bag it and carry it or pull it.
Protect your spinning wheel when taking it for an outing by purchasing a protective carrying bag or case for it. If you take your spinning wheel with you often, these bags are a great investment! Some bags (and wheels) come with handy straps for carrying over your shoulder, or better yet, wheels for pulling it behind you. Is your wheel on the larger side? A folding cart might be a good option.
Secure your wheel in the back seat of your vehicle using the seat belt. Photo by Tiffany Warble
2. Fasten your seatbelt.
For a long time, I only had one wheel, and she wasn’t one of the portable spinning wheels. She traveled with me to local festivals and impromptu spinning meet-ups. Although she wasn’t compact, she fit nicely in the back seat of my car, upright and strapped in. My tip: Place an old towel or blanket under your wheel to protect your upholstery from spinning oil and punctures, but don’t leave spinning wheels in hot cars for an extended period of time; the excessive heat can warp the wood.
3. Handle with care.
If you can’t carry your spinning wheel with you, ship it to your destination. Hint: Wool makes great packing material! Check with your hotel or final destination beforehand to find out about their shipping and receiving procedures. Prepay for your return shipping, and be sure to insure for the replacement cost of the wheel. We advise against shipping a priceless, one-of-a-kind wheel.
Illustration by Ann Sabin Swanson
4. Pack smaller versions of your favorite spinning accessories.
A 1-yard niddy-noddy and storage or flat-pack bobbins take up less room. Spinning oil comes in handy drip-free pens. And in a pinch, use your body as a tool. Finally, don’t forget to leave room in your bag for any souvenir fiber that you acquire on your trip!
What are your favorite tips for traveling with a spinning wheel? Share your comments with us by emailing us here.
Elizabeth Prose is a former associate editor of Spin Off.
Originally published May 21, 2018; updated July 21, 2023.