Who are we?

The Spinning Wheel was established in 1986. Our goal has been to provide personal attention and high quality products to each of our clients. Our success has been attributed to meeting these goals throught our product line, method of instruction, and customer support. Each client is handled in a friendly and professional manner, whether in person or by mail. THANK YOU for visiting our site. We hope you will choose to become one of our valued clients.

Where have we been?

Darlene started The Spinning Wheel recognizing the need for instruction and patterns written for beginner machine knitters. "Machine Knitting instruction is my specialty" became her motto. She found a method of writing that was easy to understand and met the needs of knitters, beginner through advanced, making even advanced and complicated techniques look easy. She created design disks for use with the electronic machines that required no book purchase to be useful. Darlene was a featured knitwear designer/instructor at International Machine Knitting seminars and workshops nationwide. She served as a Committee Member on the Master Machine Knitting Program Committee, has received the Machine Knitting Master Knitter title herself, and is currently a design member of The Knitting Guild of Americas.

Where are we going and why?

Several years ago the knitting machine industry changed and the knitting machines we specialized our instruction on where discontinued by the manufacturer. Yarn companies we designed with, were distributors or dealers for also went out of business. As a result we had to step back and rethink what we were going to do. Knitting instruction and design was the base of our business so we developed patterns written for new hand knitters and expanded our hand knitting supplies. I love knitting but I also like to quilt. I wanted to make a blue and yellow quilt using Provencal colors but I couldn’t find what I wanted at the fabric stores. I eventually found some fabrics but this was the spark that made us realize there was a need for French and French Inspired Fabrics. We continually search for yarns, fabrics, and gift items that are not available at other shops. We design, create and offer products that we think our clients will enjoy or may have difficulty finding. Why Chez Darlene? It's fun and has no limits to what we can offer. We have sold lavender flowers, lavender oil, soap, dish towels and various other items. Thank you for visiting Chez Darlene!

What an you expect?

High quality fibers, fabrics and craftmanship with great customer service. Designs focused on use of color, function, fibers, and the quality hand finishing. Aprons and Market Bags made with 100% Cotton fabrics sewn with Egyptian Cotton Thread. Market Bags and Table Runner made with Bamboo Blend Batting, Made in the USA of 50% Cotton/50% Bamboo. Wools, cottons, silks, alpaca and natural fiber yarns. A small selection of French Provencal fabrics, french inpired fabrics, sewing and knitting supplies. Fun classes where you learn to make projects. This bag was knit by a friend. It show sheep going into The Spinning Wheel unclothed and coming out fashion forward. This is our goal.

Custom Knitting and Sewing Available

Custom orders are available from a standard design and your choice of fabrics. Price and terms will be determined at the time the order is placed and before construction begins.