Ashford Traveller 3 Spinning Wheel

A compact castle wheel with serious range — the Ashford workhorse that does everything.

The Ashford Traveller 3 sits in a sweet spot that is hard to find: compact enough for a smaller home, smooth enough for hours of comfortable spinning, and versatile enough to handle everything from chunky singles to finer yarn with equal ease. It is the wheel you will reach for, day after day.

Ashford have redesigned this model thoughtfully. The 46 cm drive wheel carries excellent momentum, the central flyer position suits both left- and right-handed spinners without compromise, and the double treadle action is beautifully balanced — rhythmic, quiet, and kind on the legs over long sessions.

Natural or lacquered?

• Natural (unfinished) — the classic Ashford look. Some spinners prefer to oil or finish it themselves; others simply love the warmth of bare Silver Beech.
• Lacquered — a smooth factory finish that needs no treatment. Ready to use and a little more resilient to the knocks of everyday life.

Specs at a glance

• Single drive with Scotch tension — easy to adjust, forgiving to learn on, precise when you need it
• Double treadle for smooth, balanced rhythm
• Four drive ratios: 5:1 · 7:1 · 9:1 · 14:1 — from relaxed bulky spinning to a respectable fine yarn
• 46 cm drive wheel with excellent momentum
• Central flyer — comfortable for left- and right-handed spinners
• Sliding-hook flyer for even bobbin filling
• Built-in lazy kate — plying is always ready to go
• Some assembly required

What’s included

• Three 90 mm sliding-hook bobbins
• Built-in lazy kate
• Wooden threading hook
• Learn to Spin booklet

Why I love this wheel

The Traveller 3 is one of those wheels that earns its place in a home and then never leaves. It is not the flashiest wheel in the Ashford range, but it is deeply reliable — and reliability, when you are mid-project with a deadline or spinning for a Tour de Fleece challenge, is exactly what you want.

The four ratios give it genuine range: use the lower settings for textured art yarns and batts, step up through the middle for everyday worsted spinning, and the 14:1 ratio lets you explore something finer without changing wheels. It handles handspun beautifully and responds well to different fibres, from soft Merino to more textured British wools.

If you are looking for a wheel that will still be your daily spinner five or ten years from now, the Traveller 3 is a very strong answer.

Please note: the Traveller 3 is Ashford’s current redesigned single-drive model — not the discontinued Traveller double-drive wheel.

Ordering from Spin City

If this item is not currently on the shelf, you can still order it through my website. I will order it from Ashford especially for you, let you know the expected timescale and keep you updated while it is on its way.