Magpie and all of her goodies. Photo from the Daedalus website

The generous and talented folks at Daedalus Spinning Wheels, sent me a Magpie Wheel to test for them. It’s a big wheel. Not really in size (though the bobbins!), but in what it can do.

I haven’t had a whole lot of time to spin on her, but I am really liking my experience so far. I’ve decided since I’m not traveling this year, I’ll work through using the Magpie more methodically than I have with wheels in the past.

Here’s a teaser: the Magpie can be used in Scotch or Irish tension - that alone blew my mind. The bobbin for the regular flyer holds 20 oz of fiber, and there is an art yarn flyer, with even bigger bobbins (44 oz). The motor has plenty enough umph (technical term) to fill and ply all of those ounces. It’s made of carbon fiber and 3-D printed plastic; without fiber she weights 4.5 lbs and while light, she’s not exactly dainty, her footprint is 15"L x 8.5"W x 11"H. I’m currently carrying mine in an Ikea Pride tote bag reinforced with cardboard. Of course, something this nimble and solid does cost a bit, $1,800 with base,both flyers, and bobbins.

Let me start out by singing the praises of customer service at Daedalus. I had a hiccup with my power box, and I had a replacement box in hand in two-days (I do live two states away ).

The set-up instructions are both printed and on video, I used both. There is also a very active FB group that has great advice for all things Daedalus.

I started out spinning Corriedale to get the feel of a regular spin, changing speeds and sizes. After just a couple hours of playing, I felt comfortable enough with the wheel to use it to demo during a live on-line spinning class.

One of the things that made me feel very comfortable with the wheel right away is the digital speed control, a.k.a magic box. It’s easy to figure out and has a wonderful slow start and stop, giving me time to get ready to spin and get ready to stop. The magic box, can live in the frame of the wheel, or it can slide out and lay flat beside the wheel, it makes it easy to change speeds and to see exactly how much you are dialing up or down. There is a third position to use the box too, but I haven’t tried it yet.

My first intentional spin was four ounces of Merino from Spotted Ewe. The fiber was delightful and I felt very much in control of fiber and wheel. I spun it slower than I might other fibers because Merino and I sometimes have words.

I carted the wheel with me around the house. I found a very comfortable position to spin is to have the wheel beside me on the couch (about a cushion away) and draft across my lap. It does take up the whole couch, my fam was very understanding.

Four ounces looks like so little fiber on this bobbin. I have four ounces on a Hansen bobbin as a comparison. Do not despair for my Hansen (or offer to give her a good home), after this photo I put the lace flyer on her and am now she’s become my fine spinning, spinning wheel.

I chain plied my four ounces, and it was easy. I usually don’t say that about chain plying. I don’t chain ply often and have a tendency to over twist. I was able to set the Magpie up with enough twist and the right amount of take up to thoughtfully work with those loops.

Next, I’m spinning eight ounces of Falkland and will focus on consistency.