Hands: Irish Spinningwheel Making

RTÉ documentary series exploring the craft traditions of Ireland. hands.ie/
James Shiels and his son Charlie of Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, make an Irish spinningwheel.
The tradition continues in the family today: www.spinningwhe... / irishspinningwheels
Narrated by Benedict Kiely.
Filmed in 1991.

[@rebeccadees2300]

I have a Donegal spinning wheel from Ireland made by Johnny Shiels. Her name is Ciara. So proud of her ☺️.

[@DodgerOfSheep]

Aww I really wanted to see that tiny spinning wheel in action.

[@TheMrpiggyboy]

Thank you so much for posting. I am master spinner, a graduate of the Master Spinners Programe form Olds College Olds, Alberta, Canada. I also make and rehabilitate distresed or broken wheels. It was most enlightening seeing your set up and technique.

[@mscdbran]

Alberta is definitely on my bucket list! I'm in the Midwest of America in southern Indiana

[@lounischabane6724]

thank you for showing

[@importantname]

amazing they still have all their fingers - sign of the expert

[@jimbass7867]

Indeed. I was aghast at some of the lathe techniques. Ah- so it shows the worth of experience and knowing your machine suppose.

[@cherylcooper1885]

The workmanship in all this is fascinating! Hopefully preserved for all generations!!

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

Very interesting to see how this ingenious machine is built and used...

[@michyoung77]

The complete and utter craftsmanship!

[@williemarum9862]

Such wonderful work, on a Myford ML8 lathe, clearly Wisdom of the Hands, all computerised CNC nowadays, without the sense of achievement and personal satisfaction , The work honours the man, and the person that uses this spinning wheel, and the work produced will honour both spinner and maker for many generations to come.

[@trishrobinson5828]

Such a lovely series. Thank you.

[@deborahfoltyn5510]

This is a beautiful trade and lovely tradition, soon to be so rare

[@jamescampbell7780]

Skilful craftsmen. Splendid historical record.

[@meletcl]

Fascinating to watch the detailed construction of the spinning wheel and to consider the history of such an essential tool over many years. Spinning is currently have a bit of a resurgence, at least here in the US; more people are looking to keep certain crafts alive so I am hopeful the Donegal spinning wheel has a stronghold into the future! I don't spin but enjoy the fruits of the wheel - gorgeous yarn.

[@Ladybug-uf7uh]

What beautiful wood and wood working. Astounding finished wheel. Thank you for upload!

[@sharonlong8969]

Wonderful! They are beautiful wheels!

[@cornwallcrafter8410]

How gorgeous is that miniature wheel!

[@elainemoulson2578]

Lovely to see all these crafts.x

[@leereadman9940]

amazing hope this craft is never lost again tfs

[@summerwood619]

Beautifully made, such love and caring, thank you for sharing

[@johnhavens776]

Love the sound of Gaelic :-)

[@voraciousreader3341]

I wish some of these started at the beginning!!!

[@CreatingwithWinglessAngel]

It’s a series you can find the beginning on KZbin.

[@joeliwest]

great stuff, thanks for posting - keep the videos coming and thanks

[@laurensouthgate2458]

Wow what an art ,well done and I love the little one so cute.

[@richardschaffling9882]

Fantastic video

[@robbitgrey]

Fabulous! Thank you.

[@duncanjunctionsthemadman7418]

My wife spins fiber and over our marriage has become amazing at it (I'm her biggest fan) and one day I hope to have the skills to build her a modified spinning wheel that way she can spin not just small amounts of yarn but also Giant amounts (for looming and such) This video showed me many amazing things that I never knew about what goes into a spinning wheel. Thank you so much.

[@valeniusthekat]

Hands...... Enough said 🥰👍

[@Euquila]

2:46 I'm surprised that's not the only thing that ever gets "removed"

[@whitemiasma5288]

Hahaha! can you imagine a cat funning around with that yarn ball while she tries to make what all with it?!

[@theresabraddock9310]

fascinating!

[@heatherarnold92]

I want to buy Wheel from him ❤️

[@jlloyd2004mcs]

It’s like listening to Mr. Herbert.

[@rogerscottcathey]

try that knitting action with a kitten near the skein.

[@RobFeldkamp]

Cutting mortises on a lathe, using the crossslide....wow.. why not

[@thraciangrapes]

I bought one of these spinning wheels.

[@TS-1267]

,,, SPLENDID SPLENDID SPLENDID... THANKING YOU KIND PEEPS ,,, ✨🎶💃🕺🎶✨✅✅✅

[@RRS8840]

I’d love to carry on the tradition of spinning wheel making but I live in America and don’t know who could teach me?

[@deezynar]

Johnny Shiels Inishowen Spinning Wheels - Tradition

[@ginnied7346]

Are these still being made and sold, only when I press the link above it says the site can't be reached or is there another web-address that they've moved too maybe ??

[@snadhghus]

That's odd. The Facebook page is active : facebook.com/irishspinningwheels/

[@trappenweisseguy27]

You won’t find mahogany like that these days.

[@rob7061]

Aaah the serenity of a spinning wheel... I recently made a diy spinning wheel myself. Not as crafty as these ones but it works! Check out the video on my channel!

[@jmarylastone]

no safety glasses??? the young boy will not be doing that for long without them

[@bashkillszombies]

The devastation being wrought on the rainforests of the world? No one is using the crap wood from rain forests to make spinning wheels in Ireland ffs.

[@ScoriacTears]

Is the first part lost, or is there another reason for it's absence?

[@Euquila]

It must have spun off the reel

[@whitemiasma5288]

Wakandians' gotta start somewhere.

[@trialen]

Never use your lathe bed as an anvil.

[@Dragon-Slay3r]

?

[@ВиталийСлотин]

здОрово!))

[@solidsnake9332]

SOOOOOOOOOO much safety regulations breached within the first few minutes lol

[@jimburnsjr.]

pretty video... but never wrap your hand in a rag and touch it to a rotating lathe part or any other rotating equipment... you have bad legislation forcing many people to have saw guards and no dato stacks... which is for the most part irresponsible legislation.. your good and free will is all that is needed to be careful in the example you give. never..ever.. ever... wrap your hand in a cloth and rub a spinning work piece... and never use gloves on the lathe either.... i know this from a near miss that would have likely killed me... need to respect it.. a sponge... or something that cannot get entangled or clinched around your hand is ok... and when doing that always use the hand farthest from the head stock .. and or any spinning protrusions that may snag your arm or the sponge, ... .if it must be a piece of cloth... try to use a piece that is small enough that it cannot possibly wrap and cinch up on itself, your hand, and the work piece... this may save your life.

[@mmsizzlak]

Is the word 'spinning-wheel' something that's even recognizable with the gen z and younger these days? Would they even hear that word in school any more? The word and the device itself stuck with me since the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty and I'm wondering if that's a story they'd even tell in school

[@killemtoenjoythesilence]

The narrator sounds like Johnny Depp. Ha ha ha

[@SharpsKC]

Get that sweet woman a bowl to hold her yarn while knitting. Thanks for the video very interesting and informative. I have loved the whole Irish craft series, Hopefully these videos and crafts will never be lost.

[@carolempluckrose778]

I think that the present world situation has prompted more people to embrace and learn older skills, as much as providing for themselves as too make life simpler and calmer. Let's hope it remains that way. That scaled down spinning wheel is cute. I have a hand built Saxony, the same as those in the programme. It's oak and you don't want to be moving far, unless a hernia is on your list of desires!

[@get-the-lead-out.4593]

Thanks for the video...me and my wife love watching these and then remembering the times being with our grandparents who still did many of the things the good ol' fashioned way. It wasn't until my grandmother was in her late 60's when she finally had no choice but to get a modern sewing machine and washer n dryer. Even before that my aunts n uncles would try to get her to switch to modern appliances, and rightfully so she would always politely say no thank you...what I have already gets the job done

[@RuailleBuaille]

I don't know if Charlie continued making spinning wheels, but a look at Google shows his family are still in the business. There's a Johnny Shiels who is a third-gen spinning wheel maker from Cardonagh in Co. Donegal still practing the craft that make reference to their relatives being featured in this Hands episode. Great to see these traditions handed down - wish they taught them in schools around the country because they're fascinating and a dying art.

[@nakedmambo]

Excellent adaptation of existing machinery rather than spending thousands on 'custom made' expensive tools. All craftsmen used to do this.

[@paulbroderick8438]

Love this series. Good to see that a noble craft is still appreciated. People now would want a computer program, a CNC machine and perhaps a 3D printer making everything primitively expensive.

[@timpinxteren]

So wonderful to see these old crafts. And what do you know, in this video is the exact same wood lathe that I have: an old British made 1950's Myford ML8. They are wonderful machines with a unique cilindrical bed and build like a tank.

[@awanablack3869]

This is awesome!! Just what I needed to know. What a beautiful piece. Thank you.

[@alansimpson2647]

Its strange how demand can wax and wane, come back again when it was thought to be gone once and for all.

[@adamakaru2683]

SPINNING HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH christianity.

[@giovannizunino6046]

Un uomo da ammirare con abnegazione speriamo che il figlio continui questa meravigliosa tradizione purtroppo i giovani dei giorni nostri si perdono dietro a scemenze futili e assurde se continuiamo di questo passo dove andremo a finire 😢

[@Silverrbullet]

Wonderful!!! Gold hands!

[@colmclarke534]

O

[@kelvinnaidu6329]

Shiver me timbers 😁

[@dutchcourage7312]

Work of art

[@karenlacy8950]

Intricate work. I wonder if they are expensive if you want to purchase one. Interesting.

[@shellinearmstrong7177]

Wonderful. Thank you. So many arts are dieing...I hope your son continues as well.

[@cyndifoore7743]

Wonderful video! I haven’t found anything more relaxing than spinning on a wheel.

[@aex-blacksmithuk2111]

Wonderful, thank you.

[@unitedstatesdale]

Incredible

[@mkivy]

Beautiful!