The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Dans on July 08, 2012, 11:29:20 pm
-
Hi
I went to Woolfest and got the spinning bug. I had a go on a few wheels and found that I can't use a double treadle to save my life, but seemed much better on the single treadle :-J.
However I have no idea where to look at buying one. I tried ebay and amazon but was a little overwhelmed.
What do I need the wheel to come with? I take it I need bobbins but is there anything else? Does anyone know of a good online supplier or even a brick and mortar place in the Edinburgh/Boarders/Glasgow area?
Thank you in advance!
Dans - having fun with her drop spindle in the mean time
-
Scottish Fibres is near the ski slope.
:wave: You are welcome to have a look at my aunts wheel when you come here - it is available.........(Ashford Trad) I also have three wheels you can try :) :) :innocent:
-
:o
I will certainly take you up on that offer! Sam will check tomorrow if he can come on Friday (his boss was on holiday) are we still ok to come?
I'll look up Scottish fibres in the mean time!
Dans
-
Hi Dans
So glad you got the bug, I keep thinking there must be safety in numbers... ;)
Your basic requirement starter pack is a wheel and three bobbins, nice to have is a Lazy Kate (but they're easily mocked up) and a niddy-noddy (ditto.) You will probably want hand carders and other bits and bobs in due course, but you can buy prepared fibre so that's not essential.
Did you decide whether you favoured a saxony (wheel to the side of the flyer and bobbin) or a castle-style (flyer and bobbin above the wheel)? Do you know whether you are likely to want to transport your wheel a lot, or only use it at home? Is floorspace an issue at home?
Several of us on here are members of our local Guild (of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers); my local one has wheels it can loan out to new members while they learn and decide what wheel they want to buy for themselves. Note that if you have a nice local Guild, you are likely to want to transport your wheel more, to take it to Guild meetings etc! You may find a secondhand wheel through your local Guild too.
Are you thinking of buying a brand new wheel or a secondhand one?
If new, forestfibres on eBay seem to supply most brands of wheel at sensible prices http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ForestFibres/Wheels-/_i.html?_fsub=716629014&_sid=89371294&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322 (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ForestFibres/Wheels-/_i.html?_fsub=716629014&_sid=89371294&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322), and deliver free (though do check it's still free to Scotland.) Wingham Wools http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/eqp_spinning.php (http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/eqp_spinning.php) are also worth a look - they do Ashford and Kromski. P & M Woolcraft http://www.pmwoolcraft.co.uk/html/browse.php?CatID=5 (http://www.pmwoolcraft.co.uk/html/browse.php?CatID=5) do Louet wheels too, also their own make and Majacraft.
Others will no doubt come along and suggest their favourite online vendor.
Secondhand, Ashford Traditional and Travellers come up on eBay very regularly. Here's a nice Traveller on eBay near you right now:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ashford-Spinning-Wheel-/320941266484?pt=UK_Crafts_OtherCrafts_Spinning_Weaving&hash=item4ab9971634 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ashford-Spinning-Wheel-/320941266484?pt=UK_Crafts_OtherCrafts_Spinning_Weaving&hash=item4ab9971634)
and the seller is also selling several accessories that would be useful too.
Wheels do get advertised on preloved, too.
You can also keep an eye on Loom Exchange http://www.theloomexchange.co.uk/spinning-equipment/ (http://www.theloomexchange.co.uk/spinning-equipment/)and, better, ask on ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/uk-spinners/1295775/ (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/uk-spinners/1295775/)
I'd advise you to get a wheel from a spinner or a store, or find a spinning friend to take along with you, if buying secondhand. They'll know what to look at to see if the wheel's okay or not.
I enjoyed finding my own wheel so much, I haven't stopped buying them up! I snap up all the reasonably priced ones that come up on eBay in my area, get them running well and then sell them on. I get a kick out of getting them spinning nicely and then finding them a nice working home. At the moment I've only bought Ashford Traditionals, as I am very confident that I understand them and can do any jobs that are needed (or find people to help me if it's a new one to me) but it's only a matter of time before I get a Louet S15 or something else. Those Haldane's look intriguing... ;)
Dang, I just typed all that and Juliet's Aunt's Traddy is still available. ::) Let us know if you're still looking after your visit to Wester Gladstone :)
-
Well done Sally - lots of info, good links :notworthy: ;D :wave:
Definitely still ok from this end for Fri Dans. Bring wellies :gloomy: :D
My aunt's wheel is single treadle, as is mine. I also have an Ashford Traveller which is double treadle, Scotch tension, and a big Lendrum Saxony wheel which is double treadle and double drive - lovely to spin but takes up a lot of space. So a couple to have a play on.
-
It's a great idea to try them out - what suits one doesn't suit another and so on.
The great advice I got was to make sure what I bought was 'flexible' ie it would suit me as a beginner and allow me to progress too.
Oh wow, Fleecewife, a Lendrum Saxony <green eyes>. Though I have absolutely no need of one (I have the original Lendrum DT, which does everything fine) I am hankering after a big saxony. The Lendrum, or a Timbertops. Or maybe an old Norwegian flatbed. I can't afford one either but it doesn't stop me dreaming ;D
-
Hi Jaykay - I didn't 'need' one either ;D but I hankered and hankered and eventually when a big anniversary came along, so did the Lendrum :eyelashes: The big wheel does make for majestic spinning :love: . The three well-splayed legs make for frequently stubbed toes :'( You are welcome to have a go when you visit :thumbsup: (spinning - not stubbing your toes)
The wheel I use the most is the Ashford Traveller. I have never spun on any other wheel types than Ashford and the Lendrum - and maybe I shouldn't or that hankering would start again :o
-
Hark at you lot all geeky about your spinning wheels :innocent:
-
Geeky about spinning wheels, spindles, scythes......and I'm sure there must be other things if I could think of them :D
-
Hark at you lot all geeky about your spinning wheels :innocent:
Never been tempted Rosemary? :eyelashes: :-J
-
Rosemary is probably worried that she might get addicted like the rest of us ;D
Sally
-
Rosemary is probably worried that she might get addicted like the rest of us ;D
Sally
I'm jealous - I have two left feet and am the complete opposite of ambidextrous. ;D
-
Rosemary is probably worried that she might get addicted like the rest of us ;D
Sally
I'm jealous - I have two left feet and am the complete opposite of ambidextrous. ;D
Rosemary - If you can drive a car you can spin on a spinning wheel. ;D
Dans - almost all new wheels now come with a double treadle, and I would think are much easier to use, allow more control of the wheel (stopping and starting) and are less tiring as you are doing less threadling with both legs.
When I started I did the "right" thing and sat on a normal chair (same height as one of those fancy spinning chairs, I measured), but would end up with a very sore back within a few minutes of spinning... I now sit on my lower armchair or the sofa and no more back problems - so just make sure that you find a comfortable working height.
I am a devoted fan of the up-right Lendrum (nice modern look which is more my thing as opposed to the traditional, wood turning one), if I am hankering after another wheel it would have to be one of the top notch Schacht ones.... but yes you can only use one at a time and no big birthdays/anniversaries etc coming up unfortunately.... ;D
Dans - Are you in Edinburgh - they should have a well organised guild which you could join.
-
yes you can only use one at a time
Ohhhh, Anke - you should know better ...
BH tells everyone I'm getting an extra arm grafted on so I can make use of all these wheels... so with a tip from a friend :wave: I found and showed him this:
spinning on two wheels (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRcOsoru7BQ#)
-
Oh my goodness. One wheel is plenty enough for me ;D
-
:o :o
That is quite amazing.
Thank you all. I'll have a play at FW's and see. I'm pretty sure I can't use a double, my co-ordination is terrible (can barely clap in time!).
It's probably silly but I'm hoping that if I can get good at it I would be able to sell spun yarn from my own sheep (when I get them!) or knitted products made from them. May earn some pennies on the side may not but the fiance is happy enough to support me in it, which includes supporting getting a wheel ;D Although he has said only the one.
I've currently got two small hand carders (although as soon as I used them I realised the false economy of getting them rather than bigger ones!), my drop spindle and thanks to woolfest a range of tops and a whole raw fleece. About halfway through spinning my first top and its starting to look even! I'm thinking a nice 'rustic' hat.
I signed up for information from the guild at woolfest but they've not got in contact yet. Have looked them up and will hopefully make their next meeting!
Dans
-
yes you can only use one at a time
Ohhhh, Anke - you should know better ...
;D ;D
Isn't that wonderful - so relaxed :thumbsup: Now it's got me thinking.................................
-
Unfortunately my broadband isn't fast enough to watch u-tube, and I probably shouldn't even go there.... :innocent:
Dans - believe me double treadle is do-able. It took me a few afternoons of ONLY treadling before I got the hang of the single one, never mind the double... but wouldn't be without mine now (and with a dodgy right knee shouldn't either...). If you can borrow a double treadle, just sit down with it and (no wool or anything in your hand) and just treadle... (PS.: I couldn't even handle the treadle on the ancient sewing machine in our primary school (yes we learned sewing in school, even the boys :o ), before they became electric...)
As to earning money from knitting....mmmh, not managed that one yet...
-
I'll give it a go! I figure if you're stubborn enough anything can be possible. May have been a goat in past life! :goat:
Don't think I'll ever make a living from knitting, the amount of time put in you'd have to charge a crazy amount to give yourself min. wage. On the other hand though I enjoy knitting and spinning so if I can sell my extras it would give me some pennies for other bits. Every little helps and all that! :innocent:
Dans
-
I love my double treadle castle wheel I have to say, a lot more than the single treadles I've tried. I like the fact that you sit square at it and use both legs - it seems to keep me from twisting and thereby getting stiff.
Like Anke, I spent an evening just treadling before I did anything else
-
There is someone at my spinning club who uses both feet with a single treadle wheel as they find it more comfortable.
Sally
-
There is someone at my spinning club who uses both feet with a single treadle wheel as they find it more comfortable.
Sally
Ours too.
I like jaykay's wheel (who wouldn't, it's a Lendrum :yum:) but am quite happy using the single treadle Ashford Traditional. One thing I do like is that I can switch legs if the one I'm using does get tired! Which also moves my body around so that different muscles get used.
Some double treadles work fine single-footed too (can't remember if yours does, jaykay) - that's got to be the best of both worlds, I'd think?
-
Just signed up for ~Ravelry so thanks for the link.
-
I'm Nanashimoriko on raverly :wave:
Dans
-
Thats a mouthful Dans. Where did the name come from?
Sally
-
lol, back in my days of japenese cartoons and comics, used it as a username in forums. Means nameless forest child or something similar. Often the only username that I can think of that is free. Dans is surprisingly popular.
Dans
-
I now have a wheel :D ;D :D ;D
And did my first bit of spinning on it tonight :D ;D :D ;D
It's about the same as my first spin on the drop spindle. Can't wait to attack my last bit of Shetland top in the cupboard, then I can move onto some of my dyed tops ;D ;D :D :D
Thank you FW you are :trophy: :love:
Dans :D ;D
p.s. even had Sam (the OH) spinning a little :innocent:
-
Excellent news :thumbsup: :)
-
Great news, another addict ;D ;D
Sally
-
What did you get? What are you spinning?
Gotta have the low down :D
-
What did you get? What are you spinning?
Gotta have the low down :D
hehe I got a shetland top at woolfest (just plain white undyed) and have been practising with it on my drop spindle, have done half on there and will try the other half on the wheel. It's an ashford that I have, traditional I think.
If I can get something that isn't too lumpy I'll get started on spinning my hand dyed BFL tops and my undyed Jacob tops from Woolfest! There shall be pics of the first shakey attempt! Although it may be delayed as today the wet stuff seems to be staying above and there's even a strange glow outside. Washing on line and lawn and garden being attacked!
Dans
-
<<< It's an ashford that I have, traditional I think.>>>
Yep, it's an Ashford Traditional, 1970s vintage, single treadle, Scotch tension. Although it hadn't been used for a few years, it went perfectly well apart from a slight clunk from the knot in the drive band. It's amazing what oil can do for a wheel :thumbsup: Thank you Sallyintnorth for the brake band :notworthy: that was very kind of you and meant we could actually get it working. I think Dans is going to get one of the plastic drive bands ?? Much better than an old piece of string ;D
Happy spinning Dans - it won't take you long to get the hang of it (we could do with a spinning wheel icon on here......)
-
I have an Ashford traditional and someone has just replaced my string band with one of the plastic ones. It has made such a difference.
Sally
-
Ah great - congrats Dans and thanks fleecwife - my piece of string is a right pain in the bum! Shall replace ASAP!
-
Yep shall be getting a plastic band and some oil!
Finished off my first BFL top, still lumpy and underspun in places but so much better than my first try on the drop spindle. Have now plyed them (spindle vs wheel) and it's certainly rustic!
Thank you so much to FW and SiN, you are two wonderful ladies! :thumbsup:
Dans
-
Hi everybody!
I'm new here (yes i know I'll go and fill the Newbie forum thing in a min ::)), but Dans knows me - ehe she should be able to guess from my UN.
Anyway, I went to Woolfest too and got caught in the awesomeness of it all and bought a few Shetland tops to try and spin. Only problem is, don't have a spindle but waiting to get the spinning wheel that my mother-in-law has been keeping in the attic for the last 20 years.
Have tried a wee bit on an Ashford double treadle at Woolfest and liked it better than the single treadle, however I will have to get used to what the mother-in-law has.
My question to the community and more experienced people. Since this wheel I'm getting (in a long time, but it will come) have no idea where it came from, but mother-in-law found it in Orkney (where they lived at the time), has anybody got a clue as to what to expect? I.e. usable/not usable, easy/too difficult for a beginner, what to do to take it back to working glory...
I see no much point going to the local guild now since a. have no wheel yet to show them and ask them to teach me, and b. need to do evil work in the lab most weekends, also if I go and they ask I wouldn't know what to say about it!!!
I spoke on the phone to the mother-in-law but she claims she can't remember a thing about it/using it (she's only 52 :-\) and I will have to go and see it for myself, but I live 300 miles away!
Any suggestion much appreciated. I suppose time will tell anyway, but I'm getting far too impatient and can't wait to go up north and get it!!! Hope not to be disappointed with something I can't use - although that might mean buying one I like instead of using a hand-me-down!! :innocent:
-
Hiya welshcob - I really would buy a spindle in the meanwhile (<£10)and watch a few you tubes.....They are so cheap and really help you undertand the basics of spinning - because its all slower and in your control. Also more portable and therefore you can do it in odd minutes - not such a living room 'commitment'! enjoy, Fi xx
-
Hi Welshcob,
When SallyintheNorth appears she may be able to help with some advice as I understand she repairs and restores spinning wheels, but I guess it would help to work out the condition if we knew the definition of 'found' in Orkney. Did your mother-in-law buy it in a shop, did she find it in a barn etc. You will also need to know if it comes with bobbins or whether you need to get some but then I suppose that will become clear when you get the wheel.
As Fib has said you could buy a spindle in the meantime. I have never used one so can't comment on them.
Sally
-
The chances are, if it's truly an old Orkney wheel, it will be double drive. I picked a double drive wheel up in an auction room locally, in theory to learrn to spin on. I found it extremely difficult as you can't adjust the "twist" and the "pull onto the bobbin" separately on a dd. After struggling for a while I was ready to give up.
I finally treated myself to new wheel which had scotch tension wheel (Lendrum original), where the twist put into the yarn and the 'take up to the bobbin' can be adjusted separately. I learned to spin then without much trouble. Now I can spin, I can use the old dd wheel.
Get your MIL to take some photos and post them here - a side shot of the wheel and a top shot of the 'bobbin bit' - and we'll identify it :)
-
Thanks! I see that I will have to get her on the phone again ;) Hopefully she can be convinced to take a few pics so I can find out something more before getting it.
I think she mentioned that she got the wheel for little or no money when they moved from Kirkwall to Papa Westray, but if it was before the move or after, when they were already on Papay, I wouldn't know. I don't think she remembers that either.
She said she used to get the fleeces from a local farmer (I assume on Papay) and I have seen the remaining of two jumpers she knitted - beautiful fair isle pattern but now sadly quite felted (she has a tendency to wash everything at 60C in the washing machine and has passed it on her son), nobody really wears them now as very prickly but they are so thick and warm :love:
I will be posting more news/pics when I talk to her!
Thanks all :)
-
Hi Welshcob :wave: Are you near Dans or further south? (ah - I see from your intro you are near Dans) If you come to the Smallholder show, there will be a spinning wheel repairer there, who does all sorts I think. Woodland crafts might be their name - now I will have to go and look it up. They were at Woolfest too.
Taking some pics is a good idea. I think Orkney wheels tend to be the castle type. If it's double drive as jaykay suggests, they are a knack to use, but once you've 'got it', it's no more difficult than Scotch tension.
Meanwhile, do try spindling. Dans uses a twist then park method with a spindle which is great for a beginner :thumbsup:
-
Welcome Welshcob :wave: and congratulations on succumbing to the spinning bug! :D (Dan, we need that spinning wheel emotiwotsit! Perleeeaaasse :-* :eyelashes: :eyelashes:)
Re: your MIL's wheel, as jaykay says, we need to see pictures. I have been finding and rescuing neglected old Ashford Traditional wheels, so if it turns out to be one of those I can certainly tell you what to do with it - mind you, so can a hundred other people, some here and most on Ravelry - they're quite common and pretty easy to understand! (I should clarify - Ashford Traditional wheels are quite common and pretty easy to understand - the folks on Ravelry are mostly pretty easy to understand, certainly numerous but not at all 'common' :-J )
If it's an Orkney wheel I'll be very interested but, unless I've been lucky enough to rescue a one between now and when you get it, I'll know less about what you'll need to do than others here and on Ravelry. There will be help, though, of that you can be assured! :)
I'd say it quite possibly is still worth checking out your local Guild - my Guild has wheels it can loan out to members; your local one may do the same. And if you get a spindle, as has been suggested, you could take that along and get some help with that. I started with a standard Ashford top whorl drop spindle; as soon as I got the hang of it I bought a beautiful creature (yes at Woolfest - how did you guess? ;) :D) and haven't touched the Ashford one since - but for £4.20 it didn't owe me anything, and it is a spare if I ever want to quickly spindle something and already have something on my #1 spindle. As Fleecewife says, twist park and draft is probably a good technique for beginning spinning - and you can spin in the car with this technique, too! ;) (Not when driving, obviously ::))
-
and you can spin in the car with this technique, too! ;) (Not when driving, obviously ::))
D'oh Sally, you had me thinking I had a way of making my commute productive until I finished that sentence! :-J
Dans
-
and you can spin in the car with this technique, too! ;) (Not when driving, obviously ::))
D'oh Sally, you had me thinking I had a way of making my commute productive until I finished that sentence! :-J
Dans
Puts a new spin on "twist, park and draw" (groan groan) ;D
-
;D
Not sure I should learn spinning whilst driving - have had a car for a short time and plan to keep it whole ;)
Thank you everybody - I'll have to give a go at spindle spinning then. I'm sure I can borrow Dans's :innocent: now she has a new toy to play with! Then make up my mind if I want to buy one.
I have to admit that albeit lack of ££ is one check on my enthusiasm (hence being so keen to grab MIL's wheel), I am also struggling in trying to keep myself from starting too many things at once. I have so many knitting projects in the queue, never mind if I start spinning grand style - then my day job won't ever be done!!
Also have been named beginner hoarder from MIL and I completely disagree (clearly!) but don't want to give reason for more comments. Have been blackmailed to get that wheel - was forced to dispose of "something in your flat, roughly the same weight as a spinning wheel's". It was books :(
So, I am dreaming in Technicolour and making plans much bigger than my head, but need to keep things small-ish (if they can hide in my wardrobe it's ok. Italians say out of sight, out of mind lol).
:wave:
-
Hehe, yep of course you can borrow mine. Will show you how to use it on Friday. Really must buy some more tops!
Dans
-
Who's making you throw stuff out? Why shouldn't you be a pack rat if you want to be? What's it got to do with anyone else? >:( Seems to me the only person who could/should have a view is your other half and even then, only if he finds he can't actually get into bed or sit down for stuff ;)
-
Who's making you throw stuff out? Why shouldn't you be a pack rat if you want to be? What's it got to do with anyone else? >:( Seems to me the only person who could/should have a view is your other half and even then, only if he finds he can't actually get into bed or sit down for stuff ;)
Well said :thumbsup:
Sounds to me like MIL is rather judgemental and busibodying ... worse faults than some, some may say! (I of course am not judgemental so have no view on this. ;) ::))
-
I agree completely with both of you Jaykay and Sally!
I bit my tongue this time because I really really want that wheel! The things you wouldn't do for a hobby you love :o
Once it's in my hands, it's up to me what I do in my house - and you are right also re. OH. In fact, he's so organised that if I'm nice to him he tidies my own mess ehe :eyelashes:
:wave:
-
Lol, sounds like you have things well in hand ;) Keep training that man :thumbsup:
-
Can I borrow him Welshcob? ;D ;D
-
[Can I borrow him Welshcob? ;D ;D]
;D lol
You might find that is better to do your own tidying or you risk not finding the stuff ever again!! Most times he'll do it for me but then quizzing him to figure out where everything went is *almost* as tiring as tidying myself ::)
Just need to make sure he doesn't go too close to my yarn stash ;)
:wave: