| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 14 2007 : 05:17:50 AM
Just started spinning and I'm loving it! My son told me yesterday that the lady who is keeping his horses now is a spinner and sells fleece. A source!!! Anyone know of any good spinning websites? |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| windypines |
Posted - Jan 05 2008 : 4:12:02 PM
I have been reading on this topic, finding it oh so interesting. I am spinning on a drop spindle right now. I took lessons this fall. I am slowly improving. I am using my own wool right now, and that is fun. Making a scarf out of my "Jack" wool. Figured it would be fun to see the progression of my skills. I made needle felted sheep at Christmas time for gifts. I taught myself, so they are not perfect, but I think they are cute. Then my aunt told me she ordered me a Schacht, Lady Bug spinning wheel for Christmas. I thought holy cow, that is way too much for a gift. I will pay for most of it, but I won't get it till Feb. I need work on preparing my wool better. It sure is fun spinning though.
Michele |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Jan 05 2008 : 12:13:09 PM
Oh I am so excited for you. I love my ashford, its never let me down. So glad you will get to spend wonderful hours at your own wheel, creating, thinking and just listening to the soft sound of the wheel !
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Jan 05 2008 : 11:24:17 AM
I am very excited today!! I ordered my spinning wheel - to be here by the end of next week!! I ordered it from the shop in Arizona where I took my lessons, as they were so nice and so helpful, so I have to wait, but I CAN'T wait!!! Better get all my work done before it gets here so I can indulge myself forawhile. It's an Ashford Traditional, the one I learned on, so I don't anticipate a lot of trouble getting the hang of it. Just thought I'd share my joy and excitement. Thank you again Patty for getting me so interested in spinning by reading your blog.
Farmgirl Sister #98 |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 09:44:52 AM
Thanks Patty! I'm pretty excited. I'll let you know when I find one!
Farmgirl Sister #98 |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Jan 01 2008 : 07:24:16 AM
I am so happy for you mikesgirl ! What a fun adventure for you to be shopping for a wheel. Spinning is so relaxing and at the same time you are making something from almost nothing !
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 31 2007 : 9:53:29 PM
Well, dh told me to go ahead a buy a wheel if I could find one at a good price, so I have been haunting the web and found two places that sell reconditioned wheels. I have e-mailed them and told them what I am looking for, so cross your fingers that I hear back that they have something for me. I want to get one before I forget everything I learned!!
Farmgirl Sister #98 |
| lilyblossom |
Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 4:25:27 PM
I'm so happy to see this thread. I've been spinning for 3 years now and absolutely love it. I love it so much that I have 2 wheels, a Lendrum DT and a Roberta. I mostly us the Lendrum for spinning and the Roberta for plying. One of my favorite fibery things is getting to go to fiber festivals.
Donna...Farmgirl Sister #86 |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 4:15:02 PM
I love to spin and so happy to see this tread. Both my daughters learned to spin when I did. They were just little girls and its been something they both turn to when there is stress going on like college exams or planning their weddings. There is something very heartwarming about caring for sheep, sheering them, spinning their wool and knitting a sweater to wear outside when you are again tending the flock. Those are the sweaters that my daughters have treasured above all the others
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 20 2007 : 4:05:57 PM
Several people said they wanted to keep this thread going, so I'm just bumping it up!
Farmgirl Sister #98 |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 6:22:15 PM
Patty - Just thought I'd let you know the results of my search for the Wee Peg. I found one on e-bay - brand new for $199 and I got really excited until I looked further. It must be picked up (they will not ship or mail) and it is in AUSTRALIA!! I think the airfare might make it a bit overpriced!! But I'm going to keep looking! If you hear of any - please let me know! Thanks! |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 6:11:16 PM
Thanks Patty - I'll check e-bay. |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 5:41:29 PM
although the wee peg is no longer made, you can sometimes find them used on ebay or from other spinners. Its a nice size wheel for small spaces and for travelling. My daughter bought hers about 15 years ago
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 10:35:05 AM
When I took my first (and as it turned out only!) lesson, I caught on pretty fast to the coordinatin of the feet and hands, but I had trouble with my plys being thick and thin. I hope that is just an issue of lack of practice though. I was able to knit a scarf out of the sample yarns I spun that first night. It is kind of thick and thin, but it looks like it's one of those from the extravagantly expensive boutiques, that are primitive looking!! (At least that's what I'm telling myself!) |
| Annie S |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 10:23:41 AM
Just like the "apron" thread I hope too that we can keep this "spinning" thread going for a long time. I'm learning so much about all the different wheels and what each of you like the best and for what reasons. Being a novice, I really need all the info I can get and encouragement. My first attempt last Monday was rather feable and not very good. Hopefully I can catch on like I did with learning to knit and crochet. It's just trying to get my feet and hands to work at the same time that seems daunting. trying to concentrate on what their both doing at the same time gets to be frustrating. How do you all work that situation out? And I'd like to know your thoughts on wheather a double or single is the best to start out learning from.
Thanks in advance for all your thoughts and ideas.
Annie |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 08:37:57 AM
Shirley - I sent you an e-mail. |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 08:36:18 AM
Overall, which do you spinning ladies prefer - the single or double treadle? I was taking my lessons on a single and didn't get the opportunity to try the double. |
| emma.birdwhistle |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 07:11:33 AM
I just wanted to chime in and say that I have an Ashford Traveler and I love it. I've been spinning on it for about three years, and I've become quite attached to it. I like the double treadle, and the whole thing is fairly easy to transport (this comes in handy because I mostly spin at festivals and pioneer villages and other places away from home). Of course I went backwards and learned to spin on a wheel before I tried drop-spindling. I'm picking up the drop spindle now, and it's so much fun! I've even made a few spindles, with a little help from my father. I still like my Ashford Traveler best, though. 
- Elizabeth
We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.
E. B. White
http://resolutelyoutmoded.etsy.com
http://myspace.com/elizabethannbarlow |
| frannie |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 06:28:37 AM
i hope we can keep this post going, and thanks sherri for starting it. it is inspiring me to get my wheel out and get over my "fears".
i really want to spin, cause i have a small herd of angora goats, and well, the girls give up beautiful fiber and i want to do something useful with it.
i bought a wheel off one of our farmsite sisters here, and was pleased with the whole process.
hope today to get out the wheel and get going, and i'm sure i'll have some questions as soon as i get going.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
| ktknits |
Posted - Dec 17 2007 : 05:36:48 AM
Oh, what a wonderful thread to jump in on! I've been spinning for over 10 years, and it's a wonderful, exciting addiction!! I have a LouetS-75 (my workhorse), an Ashford Joy (my travel wheel), a Jensen Tina II (my fine spinner and beautiful piece of furniture), an Obadiah Tharp Great Wheel (my treasure--do any of you girls in the NW know anything about these? I just know he was a wheel maker in Washington or Oregon and he's passed away.), and an antique flax wheel that I really don't spin on.
I also love drop spindles, and have oh, probably 30-40 of them (Don't laugh--that's only 3 or 4 a year!!)
....and do check out Grace's fiber! I got some from her last spring, and it was absolutely wonderful!!
Kathy t
http://ktknits.blogspot.com |
| Shirley |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 11:56:40 PM
ASHFORD TRAVELLER SPINNING WHEEL
A more compact wheel, easy to transport. Technically very similar to the Traditional but now available only with a double treadle. Has built-in bobbin holder instead of Lazy Kate. Available as a kit, either finished or unfinished. Includes 4 bobbins. Wheel diameter: 18"; Orifice: 3/8"; Ratios: 5.5, 10 and 14 to 1 for the single drive; 6.5, 8.5 and 11.5 to 1 for the double drive. Wood is New Zealand silverbeech. Options: jumbo flyer unit, lace flyer, turbo kit, double treadle kit (for those who purchased a Single Treadle wheel), extra bobbins, distaff, quill spindle. A good companion book is "The Ashford Book of Spinning."
.
A word about single drive and double drive set-up - Which to choose.
|
| Shirley |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 11:49:26 PM
The wee Peggy isnt made anymore |
| Shirley |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 11:47:42 PM
Yes it is, its more compact than the tradional looking ones. The wheel is underneath the whorl. |
| mikesgirl |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 8:33:19 PM
Is the Ashford Traveller the more vertical wheel? |
| Patty MorningRamble |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 8:09:17 PM
I have an Ashford Traveller and love it. I also have an antique wheel that I use once in a while but the ashford is so easy to use and take with me when I am asked to demonstrate spinning. My oldest daughter has a wee peg, a bit fussy but spins nice.
http://morningramble.blogspot.com/
http://morningramblegifts.com/ |
| Shirley |
Posted - Dec 16 2007 : 12:21:25 PM
Sherri,
I can also give you lots of peoples names to get fleeces and roving from |
