My First Spinning Wheel
My Ashford Country Spinner
As a person who has grown alpaca fiber for over ten years, the purchase of my first spinning wheel is a BIG deal for me. My youngest kids are in school now and I have a little more time to discover my inner “fiber diva”.
My first attempt at spinning was a complete bust. But I was determined not to give up. A few weeks ago my friends Mac and Mary let me rent a wheel from them for a week. Practicing on their Louet S51 DT gave me the confidence to move ahead and get a wheel.
I asked everyone I could find on the internet (and the few spinners I know in “real life”) which wheel they used, which wheel they loved, which wheel they recommended for beginners. During my research I learned that there was a wheel that was designed specifically for making bulky/art yarns. The Ashford Country Spinner.
This is exactly what I wanted to do so when I heard that my Twitter pal LaRhanda, (@froggyfibers) had a Country Spinner that she was looking to sell, my ears perked up. Now most people would not recommend this wheel for beginners. It is limited in what it can do – but I don’t care. I LOVE it!
Me and LaRhanda exchanging the goods
LaRhanda lives in GA and she was nice enough to meet me halfway. Part of the “exchange” involved me giving her some alpaca fiber. Read her account of the exchange and what she thought of the fiber on her blog Froggy Fibers.
feeling the alpaca fiber (SOFT!)
LaRhanda, her husband, and I had a lovely lunch at Cracker Barrel. It was so fun to meet a Twitter friend in person, and to talk fiber!
Once we get over the flu I will post some pictures of my first yarn on the Country Spinner. I know most spinners name their wheels girls’ names, but this bad boy is so big (the bobbin holds 2 lbs. of yarn!) – that a boys’ name might be more appropriate.
What do you think? Can I name it a boys name? Is that a crazy notion? What have you named your wheel?
October 12th, 2009 at 9:17 am
That is a BIG boy! Congrats!
I named my little girl Spinderella (a Louet Victoria)… I am about to get my first carder. At over 15 pounds, I am thinking it is a boy.
Can’t wait to see what you create with him! Have fun!
Leslie & Spinderella
Leslie Cooper´s last blog ..I sold yarn to France!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:43 am
WOOHOO!!!! Congratulations! The excitement of your first wheel is really like nothing else, isn’t it?
I can’t WAIT to see what you do with all of your floofy, fluffy alpaca fiber on your new wheel!
Feeling Sheepish´s last blog ..Sunday, Scone-y Sunday!
October 12th, 2009 at 9:56 am
“Bubba” sounds like a good big boy southern name to me.
Cordova Studios, Kay´s last blog ..Split Rock Ranch reaches 1000 sales on ETSY
October 12th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Wow, sounds like you’re going to have a blast spinning up all that paca fiber! “Mongo” might work if you’re a Blazing Saddles fan.
Sue/HappyWhosits´s last blog ..Lemon Meringue Pie – Knitted Baby Hat in yellow and white – size Newborn to 6 months
October 12th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Katy,
I am so glad you have your spinning wheel now
I sure want to see your first yarn you make. Isn”t it wonderful to go in an “play”
I love it. You are in the business now.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Congratulations! The world of fiber will EXPLODE for you now! Have a blast!
October 12th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Yeah!!!! I am soooo glad you got a wheel!!! I want a country spinner so bad!! I named my wheel after my son (his middle name) Cosmo, I have a Mach I by SpinOlution and I really felt it needed a boys name… lol… after all, it was the birth of my son (my 2nd kid) that brought me back to fibers and I thought “how appropriate!”…
Dani Davis´s last blog ..…
October 12th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Oh wow I’m so jealous! I can’t wait to see your new creations on it! I agree, Bubba is a great name for him.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Congrats on the “new baby”. May she bring you many years of happiness.
Kathy´s last blog ..Tubby – USD $15.00
October 12th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
congrats on your wheel! I also got a new to me wheel..its a babe bulky with a delta orifice..
and it is a “he” for sure LOL.. although “he” hasn’t given me his name yet LOL.. I think Lars but we shall see! have fun spinning!
jeannette´s last blog ..Another spinning WIP
October 12th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Love your new wheel! Hope you will have many, many hours of spinning fun with it. Congrats! – MaLinda
October 12th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Congrats on the new wheel-I can’t do very bulky on my Ashford traditional, so I’m jealous. I think you’re right that it’s a boy and deserves a boy’s name.
My wheel, no matter how much I oil her, squeaks out her name over and over, Sarah Bootleg, Sarah Bootleg……(I’m not crazy–really)
Kathi´s last blog ..
October 12th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Yeah!!! I love my Country – although I haven’t actually given it a name… usually just refer to it as “my wheel”
I would consider myself a somewhat advanced beginner, and I have learned a lot by using the Country. There’s actually quite a bit you can do with it, just by adjusting tension and the speed you treadle. I’d highly recommend reading Amy King’s Spin Control. It’s chock full of great spinning info and explanations of different techniques.
Kate´s last blog ..Navajo Plying – Success!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Congratulations on getting your “first” wheel. I am glad we were able to help you gain confidence to take the step.
My thoughts are to not rush into naming the “big boy”. Get to know him slowly and he will eventually tell you what you should name him. I do not think any of ours have personalities, at least not yet, they are just instruments which we “play” as the mood strikes.
Mac
October 12th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
What a cool looking wheel – HAVE FUN — I am a new spinner too and love it — of course now I buy fiber and yarn and……
October 13th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Love your wheel, have never seen one for real. I use a Majacraft Suzie, and of course, hence, I call her Suzie – on a good day. Sometimes it is Witch, Darling, oh you gorgeous thing, but mostly it is Suzie. I put little transfers on her so I have little blue bells whizzing around. Lots of fun. Boys name, why NOT! Looking forward to your choice. cheers and happy spinning. Tazzieval.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Thanks y’all! I appreciate all the well wishes. Can’t wait to play with her or him more.
Love hearing about your wheels. I’m also looking forward to trying out several other wheels at SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair)!
October 15th, 2009 at 10:57 am
i’m completely envious of that brown alpaca wool.
my wheel is named evangeline. her wheel is pink.
i love her; she’s my baby.
i think it’s your wheel – you can name him what you like!
maya | springtree road´s last blog ..Handspun yarn – Kohl – 140 yards BFL
October 15th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Hey Katy,
Kathy Swift-Lawson and I are going to SAFF also. What workshops are you taking? We MUSt do lunch or dinner one night while we’re there! We arrive Thursday night and don’t leave until Sunday night.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I LOVE your new wheel! Please let me know what you think of it once you get to know it.
I was kind of looking at these too!
As for a name, I don’t think a boy name is out of the question. The Louet S10 DT that I am spinning on is lovingly called Louie by me as I decided it HAS to be male! My reasoning is that it likes to go the opposite direction if you slow down or stop for a moment and then you have to work with it to get it back to the right way. Just like most men I know!
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:23 am
I have just bought my first wheel, too. I have not thought about giving it a name, yet. I am still learning what to do with it. I have always wanted to learn how to spin, but never took the time. Now, I am looking for class, so I can know a little more about it. I will think about a name for my wheel when we are better friends. Thanks for sharing and congratulation on your wheel.