A while back I said I wanted to learn to spin....but as spinning wheels are expensive I have resisted buying one keeping an eye out for a second hand one (we have an auction site called Trade Me here in New Zealand which is a bit like our version of ebay). Today I was having a browse as you do..we had just got back in from picking up our two new Gotland girls and I found this .....
It's an Ashford Traditional Spinning wheel and they only wanted $85 ..normally they are over $500 new and this one had extra bits with it that would have cost another $150 or there abouts...so I am very pleased.
Now I've got 5 sheep who I'm going to be able to have wool from every year ...the lovely Gotland ewes (they have lovely silky wool), LOL (who is a corriedale / perendale we're not sure yet although it's starting to look like Corriedale - they have a thicker wool) and Margo who is a Cormo (Corriedale Merino cross - also good wool and lots of it)....so I'm going to have a good supply just from them I just need to get my butt into gear and learn this spinning thing....if anyone has any good advice I will happily soak up any knowledge you may care to offer...in the meantime I feel there is going to be a lot of practice going on
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda
Living our version of the Good Life with 1 dog (who feels like we're living with 4!), 1 cats, a few sheep and 11 chooks. Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
Well Rhubarb I've sat and just spun the wheel and got the feel of using the treadle ....actually quite relaxing. I need to get the fleeces washed and dried, I've got some carders on order and then I suppose I will find out how relaxing it is once I have to coordinate my hands and feet at the same time ....I'll let you know !
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda
Living our version of the Good Life with 1 dog (who feels like we're living with 4!), 1 cats, a few sheep and 11 chooks. Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
How exciting for you Manda! Quite aside from the practical aspect of spinning from your home produced fleece, the fact you managed to get exactly what you wanted a such a bargain price is wonderful, along with your new hobby too!
Well done Manda, what a bargain. You should have just enough time to master spinning so you can send Helen a ball of wool to knit me a hat in time for next christmas.
It is always nice to be able to learn something g new rather than keep plodding along with the same old thing. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Found some cheap carders so ordered them...now just got to wash the fleeces...back to work tonight for 4 nights so might have to do that on my next days off.
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda
Living our version of the Good Life with 1 dog (who feels like we're living with 4!), 1 cats, a few sheep and 11 chooks. Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
No Ma...never!!.....Should be interesting eh? Hey it's either going to be the beginning of a wonderful experience that I find productive and relaxing or gut wrenching stress as I wind myself up in wool (there will be no pictures if it's the last! )
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)✰
(¸.✰´¨(¸.✰ Manda
Living our version of the Good Life with 1 dog (who feels like we're living with 4!), 1 cats, a few sheep and 11 chooks. Don't get your knickers in a knot..it solves nothing ~ just makes you walk funny
manda wrote:No Ma...never!!.....Should be interesting eh? Hey it's either going to be the beginning of a wonderful experience that I find productive and relaxing or gut wrenching stress as I wind myself up in wool (there will be no pictures if it's the last! )
HA!HA! I look forward to hearing all about it...and pics of course!
Would love to be able to spin and knit wool from my own sheep. Enjoy!
(there will be no pictures if it's the last! 
