The preferred staple length for the charkha is short fibers, any medium to long wool or flax would be a very bad idea. The reason for this is that the book charkha is an accelerated charkha. Each turn of the wheel is roughly 80 twists per turn (80:1). That is a lot of twist considering that a normal spinning wheel averages around 16:1 ratio with its smaller whorl. With just one turn of the wheel a person would have too much twist to deal with if they were using a long stapled fiber. However with short fibers that love a lot of twist like cotton, cashmere, angora, and camel down, the charkha may be just the tool you're looking for!
There are the smaller book charkha, which puts about 70 twists per turn. The bigger ones are called box charkhas. They put 110 twists per turn. It's great for cotton, but you can just do more turns on the book charkha. I am familiar with both Indian charkhas but just got the Bosworth book charkha. Both will do the job but the Bosworth is beautiful and a joy to spin.
This is such a clever (and obviously well-made) invention! And a perfectly filmed and narrated video too!
The preferred staple length for the charkha is short fibers, any medium to long wool or flax would be a very bad idea. The reason for this is that the book charkha is an accelerated charkha. Each turn of the wheel is roughly 80 twists per turn (80:1). That is a lot of twist considering that a normal spinning wheel averages around 16:1 ratio with its smaller whorl. With just one turn of the wheel a person would have too much twist to deal with if they were using a long stapled fiber. However with short fibers that love a lot of twist like cotton, cashmere, angora, and camel down, the charkha may be just the tool you're looking for!
Thanks for this explanation!
I'm trying to figure out the difference between a charkha and a deluxe charkha seeing there is a substantial price difference.
There are the smaller book charkha, which puts about 70 twists per turn. The bigger ones are called box charkhas. They put 110 twists per turn. It's great for cotton, but you can just do more turns on the book charkha. I am familiar with both Indian charkhas but just got the Bosworth book charkha. Both will do the job but the Bosworth is beautiful and a joy to spin.
Where we will get them? What s the price
Thanks for sharing. I'm interested in spinning like this. I spin wool on a spinning wheel, but I haven't spun cotton yet.
CHARAkA 🥰
Nice explanation. What the better is? Large fibers or short fibers? tks.
awesome spinning wheel where did you get it?
I wonder if someone could use a charkha to spin linen.
I wonder that too, whether the longer bast fibers (flax, hemp, nettle, etc.) would spin well on a charkha.
Is it made in India
Hi, I´m living in Peru and would like to aquire a charkha spinning wheel. Can you tell me where I can buy one?
Thanks for this wonderful video
Has anyone ever tried spinning angora rabbit on a charkha? Please share out!
I don't think the poor little rabbit would like it at all!