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Stitching & Crafting Room:  spinning wheels  |
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Sobyn
True Blue Farmgirl
752 Posts
Sabrina
Kansas
USA
752 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 03 2011 : 12:22:29 PM
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WOW they are expensive!!! Any suggestions on where to find one used for a good price?
I am working on finding someone to teach me before I actually invest in one and I want one of the smaller sizes or travel wheel (but I do NOT want one with any plastic!!). I really want to learn, it seems to be a dying art. I have a drop spindle but I don't have the patience for it!
Also where do you get roving in bulk to spin if you don't have fiber animals? I do want to learn to comb and card it eventually so wouldn't be opposed to buying it raw (IF I can find someone to teach me THAT lol). Guess I should learn to spin first....
Farmgirl Sister #3275 |
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Sheep Mom 2
True Blue Farmgirl
1534 Posts
Sheri
Elk
WA
USA
1534 Posts |
Posted - Sep 03 2011 : 1:25:29 PM
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Watch on Craigs list and Ebay and sometimes on Ravelry. Sometimes you can find really reasonable buys on wheels. You can buy roving by the pound at www.paradisefibers.net and there are other sources on the net as well. I have bought from Paradise for a while and they are a good reputable business. You can also buy wonderful fiber from Grace in her etsy shop Larkspur funny farm.
Blessings, Sheri
"Work is Love made visible" -Kahlil Gibran |
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camiesmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Anne Jeannette
Stagecoach
NV
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2011 : 11:26:58 PM
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If you join a spinning club, they may know where you can get wool. There are sheep owners who don't want to be bothered with the wool once it's sheared. So you might want to check with nearby farms. Also, you could call your local Extension office. It's possible you could get it from 4-H kids.
A.J.
Work is love made visible. ~ Kahlil Gibran |
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camiesmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Anne Jeannette
Stagecoach
NV
USA
113 Posts |
Posted - Sep 06 2011 : 11:35:26 PM
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Sheri, I was blown away to see that you have the same tag line as me. What a small world it is!!
A.J.
Work is love made visible. ~ Kahlil Gibran |
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KarenP
True Blue Farmgirl
666 Posts
Karen
Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin
USA
666 Posts |
Posted - Sep 10 2011 : 07:32:24 AM
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Sabina,
I got both my wheels on craigslist, my first wheel was a Babe, mine was used, but even new they are a pretty great deal for starting to wheel spin.
http://www.babesfibergarden.com/
My second was an Ashford Traditional again used, I won't have had a clue what to look for in a used one without being able to spin on my Babe first.
http://www.ashford.co.nz/
We have a spinning club but it's about hour away from me, but worth talking to other spinners and seeing their wheels.
Grace sure has great fiber, I love her stuff, I need to order again.
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/larkspurfunnyfarm?ref=em
I also have some fleece from Sarita---Keeper of the Past that is beautiful!
http://www.coffmanspinningcfarm.blogspot.com/
I'm building my stash for this winter, I haven't spin anything this summer, too many things going on.
But, I getting the itch!
Welcome to the new addiction!
Karen
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Sep 11 2011 : 06:32:37 AM
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Wow - Thanks Sheri and Karen - I love what I do so I hope it shows in the items I offer and the fiber animals I raise. I would say patience is the key - go on line because many of the companies do have specials on their wheels and shipping which is where things can get expensive. If you do not know wheels too well please be careful about purchasing from craigslist and such because I talk to many who thought they where purchasing a working good wheel and come to find out they have missing pieces or a lemon. Wool festivals are also a great place to try wheels and get good deals. I in the past sold many that way. I do have a babe beginner for sale and then I also have an antique wooden one that is such a sweet heart... If you have a particular model in mind we can keep our eyes and ears open to see what we can do to get you hooked on spinning.
Again, thank you ladies for your kind words about what I do... It truely is my heart, soul and passion.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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Ohioann
Farmgirl in Training
38 Posts
Ann
Minerva
OH
USA
38 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2011 : 5:28:55 PM
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Hi, Another potential spinner, yea!!! Google Spinning/ weaving/ and or fiber guilds in your state. In Ohio we have a list and although it's not always up to date it will give you some contacts to start with. Try yarn and knitting shops in your area, they may know spinners. You might also consider starting to spin with a drop spindle. Much less expensive that a wheel and a great way to learn how to spin. Lots of help on line (You tube, etc). I would suggest that if you are a beginner spinner you buy fiber that is already processed and prepared for spinning rather than buy "off the sheep" so to speak. Well prepared fiber makes all the difference for a new spinner. Plenty of time once you are "hooked" to learn how to prepare your own fiber. Also, some breeds of sheep have much better spinning fleece than others depending on the final use for the yarn. Wish you were closer to eastern Ohio, we have two great guilds and a wonderful fall festival with three days of fiber, spinning, dye pots, weaving....all things fiber, coming in early October. Ohioann
Farmgirl 3129 Retired and busier than ever in East Central Ohio |
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NancyOH1
True Blue Farmgirl
88 Posts
Nancy
Columbus
Ohio
USA
88 Posts |
Posted - Oct 12 2011 : 1:08:17 PM
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Hi Sabrina,
I have bought some of my bulk fiber that I am learning to scour and comb from The Woolery (www.thewoolery.com) out of Frankfort, KY. The drop spindle that I am using came from them as well. Can sympathize with you on the cost of a spinning wheel. Still saving for one myself. If anyone hasn't mentioned it yet, maybe estate sells might have them available as well (www.auctionzip.com). Hope that last website is correct for locating auctions in your area by zip code. Ebay is another place I tend to watch for used spinning wheels. I was going to see if any of the Amish communities here in Ohio make them for sale. Good luck.
Nancy |
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Sobyn
True Blue Farmgirl
752 Posts
Sabrina
Kansas
USA
752 Posts |
Posted - Oct 16 2011 : 03:27:07 AM
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Thanks everyone. I do have a drop spindle and know the basics but the thing drives me crazy. We have a fiber guild here but it meets pretty far away and nobody has responded to my emails to them. I've checked with the yarn shops as well and they just refer me to the guild. I haven't seen any festivals or anything here, apparently its not a very popular pasttime in this area. Thanks for the suggestions, when I have more time I'll follow all the links! :)
Farmgirl Sister #3275 |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: spinning wheels |
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spinning wheels
