It’s only quite recently that I discovered the existence of this rather quaint and quirky little spinning wheel. It’s quite unique as its contained within a lovely portable wooden suitcase; hence the name ‘the suitcase wheel’. I bet you wouldn’t think a spinning wheel was housed in this suitcase on first glance would you?
I am delighted to say that I am now the proud owner of this cute little wheel thanks to Karen on the Ravelry Australian Spinning Wheels online forum. Karen put me in contact with Jean who was selling it. The wheel arrived this week and now becomes my 12th spinning wheel!
As you can see by the measurements, it is extremely compact and hardly takes up any room at all!
The suitcase wheel was made by Roy McKnight from Birkdale (eastern suburbs of Brisbane). From information on the Australian Spinning Wheels site (administered by Mary K from New Zealand), the suitcase wheels only weigh about 4kg (9lbs). Mr McKnight also made wool winders and other spinning accessories; as so often, he was encouraged by a wife who was a spinner. The picture on Mary’s website is of a wheel from 1992 so I am assuming Mr McKnight made these wheels in the early 1990s and possibly the late 1980s. Is there anyone else out there who either has one of these wheels or knows anything about Roy McKnight? I would really love to hear from you via the Contact Me section of my blog (along the top banner).
This is the angle (see below) the left hand part of the suitcase needs to be positioned to enable you to spin. You also need to have a small mat under the wheel to stabilise it.
I am assuming the name on the lower left hand inside of the wheel could be the original owner.
The bobbins are quite small; as you can see from the number of hooks
Three bobbins are held on the ‘lazy kate’. I have five bobbins in total which is a bonus!
The wheel is lacquered so there is no need to oil the wood at all.
It is a most ingenious spinning wheel.
Everything folds in neatly.
The flyer (without the bobbin) slips in at the bottom of the suitcase.
It reminds me of a dolls house for grown ups!
The previous owner had started spinning this orange wool and packed the rest of the wool top in the parcel so I finished spinning it.
I am really happy to be the owner of this wheel as it is a part of the history of where I live. It will be perfect to take on my cruise next year. It’s not a wheel I would use for all my spinning as the bobbins are quite small and will only hold a small amount of spinning but for its compactness and portability, it’s the ideal wheel to take away when you want to do a bit of spinning. And, of course, I am sure it will invite lots of interest and comments from spinners and non-spinners alike!
If you have a suitcase wheel, I’d love to hear your thoughts about how often you use it and what you think of it.
My wheel has # 56 stencilled in the inside of the suitcase.
Until next time…
Melanie
MelsNattyKnits 
What a fantastic find! I have never seen one of these either. I am envious of your wheel collection. I have an Ashford and a mini upright Tara which is gorgeous. I am yet to learn to use one though!
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I think these wheels are a ‘well hidden secret’. They’re hard to come by and not many people have heard of them. So happy I have one now.
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wow they are beautiful would be perfect for my planned travels in old age i must get hubby to make me one thank you so much for the pics 🙂
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Lucky you having a talented hubby who can make one of these wheels for you!
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I wish there were plans available to have one made. Awesome wheel 💜💜💜
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I have recently acquired a suitcase wheel. I’m told it is a reproduction, not made by Roy and I can see some differences, but the maker of mine followed Roy’s work extremely closely. My bobbins are not as nicely turned, and I have a pig-tail orifice and the turning/grooves on the wheel are different, and it lacks a number stamped in it anywhere. However, I acquired it specifically as a travel wheel and I love it. I have just blue tacked some washers to the outer edge of the wheel roughly opposite the footman attachment point to help with keeping momentum at the very top and bottom of the treadle motion, otherwise I have to treadle very quickly to prevent the wheel stopping or reversing at those points. A gentleman who used to make wheels and said he’d made himself something like this and it had the same minor issue told me he cured it by weighting the rim of the drive wheel – I’m glad he did, because the the suggestion worked for mine too.
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