[colliewoman]

with a wheel and everything! not perfect by a long way but i made yarn!!!
 i'm always rubbish at delicate fiddly things but this was as much fun as the pole lathe
now just got to get me a wheel of my own

[Rich/Jan]

Hi - when I first started I ended up with 'tow rope'.  I thought it was wonderful - now that I have been at it for years I'm not so sure but I kept my piece of tow rope all the same.  I never spin very fine wool to ply together as it takes too long to knit anything from it - thats my excuse - but I do like chunky wool anyway - gets the job done quickly.  Took me a while to get the hang of plying but its sorted now.  Best of luck with it all - it is really relaxing.  Jan

[Blinkers]

You're gonna be TOTALLY addicted now.......and its a brilliant de-stresser 

[Fleecewife]

Well done Colliewoman - it's a great skill to have 

[colliewoman]

I never spin very fine wool to ply together as it takes too long to knit anything from it - thats my excuse - but I do like chunky wool anyway - gets the job done quickly. 

Have i got to knit it as well
they never mentioned that in the lesson
knitting bores me to tears and i'm poo at it!

thankies all, cant wait to have another go!

[Mel Rice]

You could always weave the resultant yarn...or crochet I find that grows quickly and you can stop and start easier than you can with knitting...Its ages since I had a go with the spinning wheel but my OH bought one cheap from an auction last time he was in the UK. It only needs a new belt then I can start, cant wait!

[Fleecewife]

You could always weave the resultant yarn...or crochet I find that grows quickly and you can stop and start easier than you can with knitting...Its ages since I had a go with the spinning wheel but my OH bought one cheap from an auction last time he was in the UK. It only needs a new belt then I can start, cant wait!

You only need fine kitchen string for a drive band, so no excuses 

[Fleecewife]

I never spin very fine wool to ply together as it takes too long to knit anything from it - thats my excuse - but I do like chunky wool anyway - gets the job done quickly. 

Have i got to knit it as well
they never mentioned that in the lesson
knitting bores me to tears and i'm poo at it!

thankies all, cant wait to have another go!

I was pretty much like you then when I started to spin - I could knit but not very well.  Then I found a wonderful book which showed me how to knit jumpers in the round ie no seams, and also how to design them myself - nothing posh, but handspun yarn doesn't conform to commercial sizing so it's hard to find a pattern to suit unless you make it up yourself.  You can knit in the round without really having to pay attention, so you just do it when you are doing something else, like talking or waiting in a queue.  It gets less boring though when you produce your first handspun, hand knitted jumper from your own sheeps fleece and having used your own brain to design it 

[colliewoman]

thanks fleecewife, i will look into that a little further down the line
first mission is to find a wheel i can actually afford to buy! if you know anyone selling one please please let me know

[Fleecewife]

We-e-ell......my aunt has an older Ashford Traditional which she is never going to use again so I could ask if she would sell that if you would be interested.  It is the old kind which still uses a leather connector bit at the bottom of the con-rod.  The wheel is here with me in southern Scotland - whereabouts are you?

[colliewoman]

er....
sunny somerset!
but heck if i can afford to buy it my hubby travels all over the country with his work so i'll bribe him to come get it so yes please do ask her thank you so much

It is the old kind which still uses a leather connector bit at the bottom of the con-rod. 

you do know that none of this means anything to me?

[Fleecewife]

er....
sunny somerset!
but heck if i can afford to buy it my hubby travels all over the country with his work so i'll bribe him to come get it so yes please do ask her thank you so much

It is the old kind which still uses a leather connector bit at the bottom of the con-rod. 

you do know that none of this means anything to me?

    The most important thing with a spinning wheel is to oil it regularly - it makes the most amazing difference to your spinning.

I'll check it out first.  I know it needs some attention, but nothing drastic.  I'll get a pic tomorrow.

I'm quarter of an hour from Junction 13 of the M74 - could meet your husband there, or he could come here...  if she will sell it that is.

[Shnoowie]

My Ashford is the same as your aunt's, Fleecewife.  The leather connector was really badly cracked when I first got it and it was the first thing to break; I bought a new leather one on-line for something silly like £2.50! The band was also worn, but a bit of pink baler twine works perfectly!

Colliewoman - you will become a mad spinner like the rest of us within no time.  When I'm sat watching TV or reading a book, apparently I treadle with my right foot...oh dear...

[Fleecewife]

Hi Colliewoman
My aunt is willing to sell her wheel but I see there is one closer to you on the other thread in marketplace.  I will pm you later.

[colliewoman]

got your pm, thanks! will spend a day investigating all options now
got to go to real work for 3 days now so wont be around   but will catch you after that as i'm going to need to pick brains thankies
donna