Ashford Kiwi 3 Review: Is This Under-$1,000 Beginner Spinning Wheel Worth It?

Ashford Kiwi 3 specs

Specs above come from Ashford's manufacturer feature bullets on the Amazon listing and the published specifications in Wool Hall's Kiwi 3 review (Ashford's own site blocked our requests).

Is the Ashford Kiwi 3 a good spinning wheel for beginners?

It is one of the most commonly recommended first wheels, and the reasons are practical. Scotch tension means a single drive band turns the flyer while a separate brake band on the bobbin controls how fast yarn winds on. You adjust one knob to change how hard the wheel pulls, which is easy to understand while you are also learning to draft fiber.

The ratios suit learning. A ratio is how many times the flyer turns for one turn of the drive wheel, so at this wheel's top ratio of 9.5:1 the flyer spins nine and a half times for every single revolution of the drive wheel. At 5.5, 7.5 and 9.5:1, the Kiwi 3 adds twist at a relaxed pace, which gives new hands time to draft and suits the medium and thicker yarns most people spin first.

It is also light and foldable. At 12 pounds with folding treadles, it tucks into a closet, rides in a car to classes, and moves easily between rooms. The ball-bearing wheel and double treadles make treadling smooth, and many new spinners find double treadles steadier than single.

The ratio table above comes down to one ceiling: the standard wheel stops at 9.5:1, which covers bulky yarn down through DK and sport, and only the optional High Speed Whorl reaches the 15:1 that lace weight singles want. Compare yarn weights with the yarn weight chart, and use the yarn yardage calculator to estimate how much handspun a project needs.

What is the honest weakness of the Ashford Kiwi 3?

It tops out at 9.5:1. Spinning fine fingering or lace yarn at that ratio means a lot of treadling for each length of yarn. Wool Hall notes the Kiwi cannot give the double-drive control many spinners prefer for consistent lace. Ashford's High Speed Whorl (about $48 per Wool Hall) adds 7.5, 10 and 15:1, which helps, but a spinner set on fine yarn may be happier with a different wheel from the start.

The orifice and bobbins are modest. A 10 mm orifice limits very thick art yarns, and bobbins of about 4.5 oz fill quickly with bulky singles. The Kiwi Super Flyer Kit (about $380 per Wool Hall) adds a 27 mm orifice and 500 g bobbins, but that is a large extra cost.

It arrives as a kit. The unfinished beech needs assembly, and many owners seal the wood before use. Wool Hall estimates 15 to 30 minutes to assemble; finishing adds drying time. A drive band that shifts or needs retensioning is a common early adjustment.

It is a MDF drive wheel. The wheel is timber-veneered MDF rather than solid wood, which keeps the price down but gives a less traditional look than a solid wood wheel.

What do Ashford Kiwi 3 owners consistently report?

• Praise: easy to learn on, with forgiving Scotch tension.
• Praise: folding treadles make storage and travel simple.
• Praise: smooth, quiet treadling from the ball-bearing wheel.
• Praise: the built-in lazy kate saves buying a separate plying stand.
• Complaint: assembly and finishing take time before the first spin.
• Complaint: the drive band can slip or need adjusting.
• Complaint: spinners who move to fine yarn outgrow the standard ratios.

The consensus is that the Kiwi 3 does exactly what a first wheel should, and that the spinners who outgrow it are the ones who fall in love with lace. Many keep it as a travel wheel after buying a second.

Ashford Kiwi vs Traveller: which spinning wheel should you buy?

Our Ashford Kiwi vs Traveller comparison walks through the differences. The Kiwi folds and costs less; the Traveller stays upright and spins finer. The table below spans wheels from under $1,000 to under $2,500 and the number that separates them is the top ratio: this wheel stops at 9.5:1, while the under-$1,000 Traveller 3 reaches 14:1 and the under-$1,000 Traditional reaches 17:1.

See our best spinning wheels roundup for more options. If treadling is hard on your knees or hips, the electric Ashford e-Spinner 3 (sold out; in-stock alternative: Ashford E-Spinner Super Jumbo) with its foot controller is worth a look, and our crafting with arthritis guide covers other comfort tips.

How much space and setup does a Kiwi 3 need?

Plan a clear spot in front of a chair where your feet reach both treadles comfortably and the 27.25 inch orifice height lines up with your hands. Sit on a chair without arms so your elbows move freely; many spinners prefer a seat around standard dining chair height.

Before the first spin, assemble the wheel, seal the beech if you want to protect it, and oil the moving parts as the instructions direct. Then gather the basics:

• Prepared fiber such as wool top or roving.
• An Ashford Niddy Noddy (under $50) to wind 60 inch skeins for washing and measuring yardage.
• Ashford Wool Hand Carders (under $100) if you plan to prepare fleece yourself.
• A Schacht Hi-Lo 4" (under $50) for practicing drafting away from the wheel.

If you process raw fleece in quantity, the Ashford Wild Carder (under $1,000) is the next big step. Handspun often ends up on a loom too; see our best rigid heddle looms.

What warranty and support come with the Ashford Kiwi 3?

The listing does not state warranty terms, and Ashford's own website blocked our requests during research, so ask your dealer what warranty applies and keep your receipt. Buying from a spinning shop that sells Ashford usually gets you help with assembly, drive band adjustment and replacement parts such as bobbins and brake bands. We found no recall notice in the manufacturer or listing information we reviewed; CPSC's recall search by company is the place to check.