Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Meet My New Spinning Wheel


I finally found a used Lendrum spinning wheel on Craigslist after searching for two years!  My first spinning wheel was an Ashford Traditional which I added a double treadle to as I had horrible rhythm with the single treadle.  It was a nice wheel and while I enjoyed spinning on it just wasn't a good fit to our tiny house and boy was it hard to carry to classes.  I tried a Lendrum at my first spinning class at The MN Textile Center in St. Paul and loved it utterly and completely, but the price put it out of my reach. Then a few weeks ago I found one on CL for a price I could afford and it is a perfect match.  She fits sweetly in a corner, spins beautifully and it's a breeze to fold her up and take her with me.  I turned around and sold my Ashford wheel with all her accessories which amazingly covered the cost of the new wheel - yay! 

 To try her out I finished spinning the second ply of some BFL fiber I purchased from the lovely ladies at Friends in Fiber.  The colorway is Antique Tapestry and is a rich array of copper, brown and teal.  I then plied the two singles together using the Bulky head flyer (which is a breeze to switch out) to a DK/light worsted weight yarn.  I cast on right away for the Spiral Cowl which you see above.  It was a fun knit as I learned something new - how to do a picot edge cast on and bind off, and the spiral lace pattern that makes up the middle section was a breeze to knit and very relaxing.  I even got to use one of the handmade buttons from Wooly Moss Roots that I salvaged from a failed project .  It's made of walnut which matched the cowl's colors beautifully.

Currently, I'm spinning the fiber I got from Shepard's Harvest from Three Sisters Farm and Fiber which I talked about here.  It is practically spinning itself into a very fine ply.  I purchased 8 oz. of fiber which gives me enough to make a 3 ply yarn with a good amount of yardage I think.  I really love 3 ply handspun yarn as it's so round and pleasant to knit with.  I'm only sneaking in time at the wheel when I take a break from knitting my Hubbie's cabled vest so progress is slow and I'm only on the very beginning of the second ply.  This yarn's fate will be a cowl I think as it is so, so very soft and well, I love simply love cowls - so cozy!

Joining in with Nicole for Keep Calm Craft On and Ginny for Yarn Along.

14 comments:

  1. Oh what a wonderful spinning wheel. We're in a tiny house at the moment too. Lovely earthy cowl.

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    1. Thanks! A tiny house can really have an impact. I can't tell you how much bigger our living room feels with just changing out to a smaller spinning wheel. Now, I'm trying to get my stash to realize it lives in a tiny house.

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  2. I currently have an Ashford Traditional (was previously my husband's aunt's wheel) and I really enjoy it but I've always wondered how different an upright would feel. A few of my friends have uprights. Maybe I'll have to ask them for a test drive.

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    1. I find my back doesn't get as sore as I'm not twisting to one side like I did with my Ashford. Definitely give one a test drive!

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  3. My first wheel was a Lendrum and I still have it. Besides my Hansen Mini Spinner, it is my favorite. It is a joy to spin on. Congrats on the new addition!

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    1. I've heard that the more you get into spinning the more spinning wheels you accumulate. Do you miss the treadling with the electric spinner?

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  4. A wonderful addition, I would love to learn the skill of spinning.

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    1. You should give it a try! A drop spindle is an inexpensive way to test out spinning or I did a class before buying a wheel to see if I liked it first.

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  5. A beautiful wheel and a gorgeous cowl.

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    1. Thanks Lucy! I have the spinning wheel by my favorite living room chair so I can admire her as I sit and knit.

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  6. So excited for you to find the perfect wheel, to have a new wheel with which to "simply play" and to find it for a great price. So nice!

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    1. I was really excited to finally find a used one. My Hubbie was really excited at the price. Win-win!

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  7. I would LOVE to have you share this creative and great post on Wearing with Wisdom link-up party located on KingMakerBlog.com .
    Join us and inspire others !
    Thank you , Leticia

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  8. Wow I'm in awe. I'd love to learn to spin one day, but for now I'll vicariously admire your woŕk!

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