More About My New Wheel

I have discovered that Louet only made this wheel for one year, 1989-1990, and that the wheel was originally sold unfnished.  I took the one broken bobbin to Lee Valley Tools for advice, and discovered that the finish was probably Tung oil.  They also sold me some marvellous glue and some clamps.  I glued the broken end together and it seems very strong now.  A little wood filler and some finishing treatment, and it will be almost as good as new.  Wonderful!

Chesterville

Last week I took my Victoria to the annual Chesterville Spin-In.  Quite a few of our Ottawa Guild members were there, plus people from other guilds around Eastern Ontario.  Queen Vickie performed beautifully, spinning up some merino silk top that I am hoping to turn into a sweater.  No one realized that I had a wheel in the small suitcase on my chair, until I opened  it up!  Apart from an occasional ticking noise, she is a lovely lady. 

Jan Scott modelled some felt hats that she had made at a felting and hat-making workshop.  I would love to see how she did it. 

Experienced guild members spinning.

Struggling, and succeeding with Navajo plying.

I admit to being a gearhead, so at these occasions I always tour the room to see who has what wheel.  The survey noted several Lendrums, a bunch of Ashford Traddys and one Traveller. I observed a lady proudly spinning on her Majacraft Rose.  There was also a giant herd of Louet bobbin lead wheels, including one like my new acquisition but with a different finish.  I also noted a couple of other Majacrafts and at least one wheel which may have been locally made.  There was also a lady spinning on a drop spindle.  The most popular wheels seem to be the bobbin lead Louets.  It is a pity they have just cut down production to one model, the S10.  Maybe the market is saturated.

The Ottawa Guild seemed to clean up on the door prizes.  I won a book on quilting.  As if I need another hobby!!!  It is a really comprehensive book, so I am going to keep it.  I may yet make another quilt!

I bought a lovely Tabachek spindle and also some more Ashford merino-silk sliver to spin on it.  I also acquired a spinners' control card, which will hopefully, help me to make my yarn more even. 

All in all, a great day.  Chesterville is lovely.

New (to me) Spinning Wheel

Today my new old spinning wheel arrived. It isn't as if I need another one, but this is a honey. It is a solid oak Louet S71, a discontinued model which arrived secondhand from an e-bay seller in Holland. This wheel is in fabulous shape. and spins beautifully. Unfortunately, one of the bobbins which was so carefully wrapped by the sender, broke on the smaller end. I am going to try to glue it together, although it won't be as solid as before.

I always wonder what kind of life these old spinning wheels had. This one has been used, but very well cared for. I have a picture in my mind of a Dutch lady spinning happily on this wheel, and hoping that whoever used it after her would love it as much as she did. I think it hasn't been used for a while. There was a very small amount of rust on the brake adjustment screw. I have totally coated this with vaseline, and removed as much as I can. It is much smoother now.

Canada Customs totally goofed on this shipment. They misunderstood the information given by the sender and thought I was importing automobile wheel rims!!!!! No, they didn't look inside the box, but they charged me as if the contents were something brand new. Why do some people think that spinning is a defunct activity?

There is something about the simple technology of spinning which really draws me. I love working with fiber. I love the feel of it, and the way it gains strength as the wheel turns

The fiberI am currently spinning on this wheel is some beautiful Shetland top. I plan to make a 2 ply balanced yarn with it. I am spinning it worsted style. Not sure what it will end up being used for. I am just spinning for enjoyment.