Well, I didn’t win the lot I was bidding for on Ebay but I did manage to buy this from a lovely lady on Ravelry. It is quite old but seems to work ok and I’m really pleased with it! (damned Beagle gets in every shot!)
I sent Simon on a trip to Southend to pick it up for me last week and I have been practising but so far I have only produced this bobbin full of uneven yarn.
I’ve got the hang of spinning and drafting but have absolutely no idea how to ply the yarn together. I put a plea for help in the Bedfordshire group on Ravelry and have been inundated with offers, everyone is so lovely on Ravelry! I’m going to have a lesson with a lady in Bedford next week so hopefully I will be better soon! I’ve also been invited to the local guild for their next meeting – ‘picking & cleaning your own fleece’. Simon is only just coming to terms with having to look at the wheel everytime he comes in, I’m not sure he’s ready for a ‘dead’ sheep!!
I had other excitement this week …….. I took a trip to Birmingham to see my favourite Irishman. Aah, he never, ever disappoints! Some men just seem to get better with age.
I haven’t cast on anything new lately, I’m currently working on the 2nd socks of the ‘pair’ I showed last week and I am plodding through Lily France’s 'Wray'. I don’t usually knit garments as I don’t have the patience and I worry that it won’t fit when I’ve finished. I really like this little cardie though and I dyed some lace at the Fyberspates workshop especially when I was there. There do seem to be a lot of stitches involved so it’s taking me ages. No seams though. I hate seams! However, I have joined a KAL on Ravelry for a shawl which starts soon and I'm in the mood for lace knitting so I thing I might go & cast on Ysolda Teagues 'Orchid Thief Shawlette' because I love it and it’s only little! Now, choosing which of my many stashed yarns will be the hard part 
You are soon going to have your very own cottage industry.What are your long term plans?I must look up that shawl KAL.
ReplyDeleteAlmost snap - I only have a single drive on mine but I love the yarn you have spun! I was given a fleece years ago and took it along when I went for the spinning lesson - my only thing with it is that it takes ages to prepare enough to do alot of spinning with all the carding etc and I found that I put the whole fleece and wheel to one side as it can also be a bit messy with the prep (veggie matter wise) and him indoors prefered me to do it outside. It was only when I found the 'posh' batts that I got the wheel out again properly! That said it is really nice to start from the beggining and finish with the yarn - I hope you have fun learning. Sx
ReplyDeleteYou have so inspired me - I've just posted on Sarah's blog that I don't have space for a spinning wheel but my mum is a keen spinner and she has a strange looking thing that is a space saving spinning wheel - the whole thing is in one small space with the wheel directly behind the treadle bit - maybe I need to do some research :) Although there is a good chance that the old man might comment that as I am now out of work maybe I should spend my pennies on sensible things !!!
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