The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Crafts => Topic started by: Cheviot on March 06, 2013, 01:23:28 pm

Title: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 06, 2013, 01:23:28 pm
Hi,

I have been using my drop spindle since the new year, and I'm totally hooked, I've now decided that I really need a spinning wheel, but I have to save up, so I will have some time before I will be in a position to purchase something, so to all you people who spin, which wheel would you recommend, and are there any that need avoiding, and would it be best to try different wheels first before buying, as there seems to be lots of different systems to consider, ie: double drive - scotch tension etc.
Also what other bits and bobs would be needed that perhaps don't come as standard with the wheel.

Regards
Sue
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 06, 2013, 01:46:43 pm
Just spotted this so we are both getting into spinning.  I found my wheel on ravelry.  It's an Ashford Traveller.  It comes with it's own bobbin holder and spare bobbins but you will need a niddy noddy if you don't already have one.

 :excited: :excited: :excited: :excited: isn't it?
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Mammyshaz on March 06, 2013, 02:07:32 pm
I'm new to spinning too ( 6 months ) and I love my ashford traditional. I guess it's just what feels right. If you can try different ones you have a good idea of what will suit you.

Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Fleecewife on March 06, 2013, 02:13:26 pm
I'm a big fan of the Ashford Traveller too, although I have a couple of other wheels.  The Traveller is very neat so it takes up little space, is easy to take around in the car, tied into a rear seat belt, and it spins very well.
It is definitely worth trying a few wheels before you settle on one, as preference is a personal thing as in so many areas.   Ashford wheels are very functional and plain, but I like that.  Other wheels such as Kromskis are very ornate, Louets are ultra modern in their looks.   I have a Lendrum Saxony which is beautifully made and so amazing to spin with, but I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner - there is a Lendrum...um...don't know what it's called but it's a castle type; they are very popular, modern looks and have a wheel which slopes.  People who spin on them love them dearly, so it would be worth investigating.
 
For a beginner, Scotch tension is the easiest to manage, and I find a double treadle easier on the legs than a single.
 
Lazy Kates are sometimes integral as with the Traveller, or they can be free-standing.  You will need spare bobbins, carders, a niddy-noddy or two and if you are going to produce yarn in any quantity a ball-winder is helpful.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 06, 2013, 04:54:50 pm
Cheviot, are you Papoosue on Ravelry?
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 06, 2013, 07:45:57 pm
Hi,
No MGM I'm Cheviot4 on ravelry, but don't go there much.
Thank you all for the replies, it looks like Ashford wheels are popular, I've looked at Louet wheels and I really don't think I could live with one of those, they may be brilliant for spinning, but I like a more traditional looking wheel.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 06, 2013, 08:53:22 pm
It's just that Papoosue was asking the same questions as you.  I shall look for you on there now.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 06, 2013, 09:09:17 pm
Sue, I just mentioned your nearest Guilds on Lesley's thread.  One of the things about Guilds is that they often have wheels they can loan out, or members do, and members often advertise their wheels for sale through their Guild.

And you can certainly have a jolly good look at many different wheels, and talk to people about their strengths and weaknesses, and maybe even be offered a go on a few, at a Guild meeting.

If you're on Ravelry, have a chat with spinningfishwife (http://www.ravelry.com/people/Spinningfishwife); she's in the Edinburgh Guild and ever so knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.  I think it's that Guild will be doing something at the 2013 Scottish Smallholder Festival at Lanark - I don't know if Isabella (spinningfishwife) herself will be involved.

Just seen that there's a Yarn Festival in Edinburgh  (http://www.edinyarnfest.com/) on Sat 16th March - could be worth a trip up?
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 07, 2013, 12:33:04 am
I've just caught up with the papoosue thread on Ravelry (http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/uk-spinners/2498496/1-25).  Edinburgh Guild certainly do have wheels they can hire out but you have to be a member and you have to prebook a wheel. 
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 07, 2013, 08:13:16 am
Hi,
Thank you for the info Sally, I will certainly follow up on your suggestions, I was hoping there would be some spinners at the smallholder event.

It's spooky that two people name Sue, from Scotland should post almost identical posts.

Regards
Sue
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Anke on March 07, 2013, 12:55:51 pm
Only one wheel.... LENDRUM. Beautifully made, in between modern and traditional looking, can be carried easily and mine has so far not needed any maintenance....
 
They do take an age to come once ordered, as they are produced in Canada (nearer than Ashfords though...)...
 
At some point (when I am allowed a second wheel... :-J ) it will have to be a Schacht though...
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 25, 2013, 06:41:49 pm
Hi,
Well, I was going to wait untill the back end to buy a spinning wheel, was going to try out different wheels so I could make the right choice, but after the incident with the man that had a cardiac arrest, I decided to sod it, and now have a wheel arriving on Thursday  : :excited: :excited: :excited:  have been busy carding fleece so I don't have to do any for a while and can play practice spinning a yarn.
This is the wheel I decided on, http://spinwise.co.uk/?page_id=174 (http://spinwise.co.uk/?page_id=174)
Roll on Thursday.
Regards
Sue
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: goosepimple on March 25, 2013, 06:46:38 pm
Don't know anything about spinning Rapunzel but glad you got it, you deserve every niddy noddy of it Sue  :D
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: SallyintNorth on March 25, 2013, 07:37:51 pm
Excellent choice  :thumbsup:

If by any chance you don't get on with it, it's such a popular wheel you'll resell it no bother.

We shall love to see pics of your first yarn  :)
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Mammyshaz on March 25, 2013, 09:18:43 pm
It looks a lovely wheel, Sue.  Looks like you will be very busy for the coming weeks  :knit:   :excited:  :knit:
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Bionic on March 26, 2013, 09:06:11 am
That looks a very nice wheel. I would be pleased with one of those myself.
Enjoy your spinning, you deserve it.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 26, 2013, 11:45:54 pm
Excellent choice  :thumbsup:

If by any chance you don't get on with it, it's such a popular wheel you'll resell it no bother.

We shall love to see pics of your first yarn  :)

I'd be interested.  Not that I hope you don't get on with it, you understand.   :innocent:
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 28, 2013, 04:37:56 pm
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR,  :rant: :rant: :rant: :rant:
The lady I ordered the wheel from. rang me earlier to say that fed ex had some how managed to lose the parcel, and that they didn't know where it was, so it would not be being delivered today, as tomorrow is a holiday it may or may not arrive on Saturday, if not, Monday is a holiday and again it may or may not arrive on Tuesday, the lady was very upset, as she said fed ex had always delivered the parcels she sent on time.
It just had to be me that it happened to, I wanted to play on my wheel all weekend, so I am seriously P#$$ed off, looks like I'll be carding wool all weekend instead!!!!!!!!!!
Regards
Sue
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Bionic on March 28, 2013, 04:54:13 pm
Oh Sue, thats a bummer.  I am always impatient for something new so this must be really frustrating for you.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: renee on March 28, 2013, 07:16:32 pm
off, looks like I'll be carding wool all weekend instead!!!!!!!!!!
Regards
Sue
Carding wool is so good for getting rid of frustrations and just think how much more you can practise on your delightful new wheel when it finally arrives.
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Cheviot on March 28, 2013, 07:30:18 pm
Hi,
Quote
Carding wool is so good for getting rid of frustrations

Don't know what my carded wool will be like, just feel like bashing the carders together and ripping the wool out of them  :gloomy:, may have calmed down a bit by tomorrow and get some done.  :fc:

Regards
Sue
Title: Re: What spinning wheel
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 29, 2013, 11:32:00 pm
How frustrating.  Hope it turns up on Saturday and, at least you'll have plenty of prepped fleece to spin.