Woolgathering

The wheel is remantled. I think we got it together alright.

I’m taking it with me on Wednesday - may as well get used to my own wheel from the off.

This is the drop spindle that I am supposed to be practising with (and am going to do so any minute now.)

That’s raw Jacob fleece that I am working with. It’s… “aromatic.” So you can guess what happened…

I wonder what he’ll be like when the thing starts spinning?

My wheel has arrived!

Um…

I wonder what I do with it now?

I have returned from my first spinning lesson exhausted. Why? Maybe the unusual level of concentration deployed. Or, just possibly, from being in a social situation (as we well know, I find mingling difficult - I should have been a hermit by profession.) Most likely the combination of the two.

It was fun. A pleasant change. And quite challenging but with a definite glimmer of “this’ll be alright once I get the hang of it”  about it. I can see that spinning will be very soothing once it reaches the almost-mindless stage. For the time being, it is akin to learning to drive or to patting one’s head whilst rubbing one’s tummy. Coordination was never my strong suit.

Lesson one involved dry pedaling - to get the feel of the treadle which, as far as I am concerned, keeps insisting on going the wrong way around.

Lesson two involved spinning with a drop spindle (cunningly derived from a spare CD and a notched stick) - this is to get the idea of teasing the wool and letting it twist. This implement has come home with me, along with a small chunk of fleece (and some free range eggs, but that is another story.)

Lesson three - spinning on the treadle. Well! I’ll probably get the hang of it, eventually. Still, nubbly yarn is quite the thing these days and I am sure Colinette could fetch a pretty price with my amateur fumblings

We were using Jacob fleece which, according to my research, is a very good fleece for beginners.

Talk was chattered, laughs were had, lambs were admired, cats were fondled, coffee was drunk, and goodies consumed.  We shall do it again next week.

I’m grateful to F for the hospitality and G for the transport and the lesson.

Mr L spoils me rotten. He’s subsidised this purchase (until I get my pay claim in). It was elegantly sniped, but seemingly not necessary. For some reason there was little interest in the item. I feel sorry for the seller, who rejected a request for a Buy It Now price a couple of days ago -  on the grounds of “lots of interest.” In the end - it went for just one pound over the starting price, on just two bids.

So - this is clearly madness. Although I have fancied spinning for some years, I’ve not attempted it yet and I am having my first go on Wednesday. What happens if I am totally cack-handed at it?

Mr L says it will make an attractive piece of furniture. Bless him. Aren’t I a lucky girl?

I’m off to catch a sheep… and I’d better look into getting some carders too - I believe that ready carded fleece is much more expensive than uncarded.

Griff is badly in need of grooming. If I can persuade him into proximity with a brush, maybe I can make a Griff Wool Sweater

Sometimes, I think it would be better if I didn’t suffer from so many enthusiasms… but, hey - it’s surely better to be interested than to be a pudding head? I am told that learning new things helps prevent dementia. I think I am already in my dotage, so this new adventure may come too late!

We seem to have quite a lot of Spirograph now. I bought a basic set and my wonderful other half has bought a Super one. My set is complete, his has one piece missing -  but we know where we can get a spare part from.

Should keep me happy for hours

My minutes are done. HURRAH! Tomorrow I hope to get my clay project done for the Creative Journey project. And I need to work on my Mothers’ Day card too. In between watching eBay for the spinning wheel I would like to get my hands on, that is. I’ve run out of Fairy Godfather money, so I am hoping I have a Fairy Husband. Erm… you know what I mean.

I seem to have the urge to knit. I have been mourning the loss of my knitting stash in the Great Divorce Debacle and have been scanning eBay for yarn bargains…

I am after a Spirograph set. Ideally, I would like a Super Spirograph. We have been watching eBay for a few days and can scarcely believe the prices a complete set will fetch. One finishing today is currently at £26!

I almost had a spinning wheel today. Mr L bid on one while I was out of the room, but he just missed it. Spinning wheels seem to go (relatively speaking) for a more sensible price.

I have a date next Wednesday. I’m going to learn to spin

er… wool, that is. I’m not going pirouetting!