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.
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