It's Not Everyday That a Charkha Comes in the Mail...

When I decided that I would go to Burning Man this year, I began casting around for things I might do to stay grounded in the swirl of heat and noise and crowds of naked dancing people. Spinning has always been a good meditative activity, but I didn't want to take my big wheel. A little charkha wheel, developed by Gandhi and used as part of the Indian independence movement would be perfect.

About a month ago I ordered a book charkha from eTrade in India. Yesterday, Canada Post was just pulling up to my door with the package as I arrived home early from the studio. Good timing!

The packaging was so wonderful - the cloth outer wrapping was actually sewn shut by hand!

The booklet that comes with the charkha describes this in glowing terms as a "protective corrugated storage sleeve". Ummm, in North America we would just call this a box and throw it directly into recycling.

I love the little metal name plate.

The charkha is the size of a hardcover book. It smells like fresh varnish.

Opened out with all the goodies inside. There are three spindles, the wheel itself, and a skein winder ingeniously included.

It was actually quite easy to set up.

Close up on the spindle. Note to anyone who has spun on a charkha - I know I have the bearing in the wrong place. The good folks at the Yahoo Charkha group set me straight. (I love a world that has a Yahoo Charkha group!)
Look forward to a posting featuring yarn actually spun on my new wheel - I have some tussah silk and organic cotton sliver that been waiting for its moment of glory!

Comments

  1. This looks most intriguing! I've never seen anything like it before. Can't wait to see it in action.

    BTW... haven't we been having some glorious days lately here on the sunny west coast?

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  2. Oh! Oh! What a wonderful thing -- a little spinning wheel in a box! And the packaging is remarkable. I'm glad you captured it on film (so to speak).

    I can't wait to hear and see how it works. Please keep us informed!

    BTW I love your mother's comment! I'll have to remember that one.

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  3. Beautiful! Thank you for sharing these photos. You've filled my day with a bit of beauty.

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