More fiber in your diet! So I'm following my own advice. Yes, I came home yesterday with a lovely wheel, and a whack of pretty blue fiber. After trying both the Schacht Matchless and the Kromski Minstrel, I wanted both. I indeed had a difficult time making a decision*, but in the end the Schacht came home with me. Here are some photos.
That's Elizabeth fixing my overspinning and all the little pigtails I put in the fiber.
Really, I was having fun. I was just concentrating.
In the car, on the way home.
I've discovered that spinning on a wheel blows through miles of fiber much faster than a spindle. This can mean only one thing. I need to clear out more space for stash.
Isn't that a beauty?
First yarn!
On the niddy-noddy. I just love saying niddy-noddy!
Hanging up to dry on the deck. I'll get a better photo of it once it's dry. I wasn't going to ply this stuff in all it's craptitude, but what the hell. You only make your first yarn once. I might even knit something out of it.
Here's my second yarn.
That's a merino-tencel blend. I appear to have been in a blue-violet mood this week. This stuff is a bit slippier to manage than the Ashford Colonial wool, but it's awfully pretty. I might have a few more bags of fiber on the way.
The Schacht doesn't have a name yet, but I think it's trying to tell me that it's a boy. We'll see. Do you all name your wheels? What does he/she look like to you?
Have a good weekend, everyone! Guess what I'll be doing?
*Any bets on how long I'll hold out before the Minstrel comes to live here?
Wait, isn't there a law that you have to knit your first handspun into something?
Posted by: Chris | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 08:28 PM
I like your new beau....very handsome. :-)
Posted by: Kris | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Beautiful first skein of yarn! You'll be surprised how lovely it knits up. I made a hat out of my first skein. It disappeared at school one day, someone has a nice warm hat and must love it as much as I did! I too love the merino/tencel blend. The fiber is so soft, shiny, and lovely to knit and spin! Enjoy your spinning weekend! Cheers!
Posted by: Vicki Johnson | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 10:34 PM
LOVE LOVE LOVE your wheel - my Matchless is still my favorite after 9 years :-)
And save that bumpy first spin/ply... I made a fabulous woven table scarf with all of mine. (and it was my very first weaving effort, so the piece is very sentimental)
I'll give you about 4 months til you have that second wheel. You got this spinning bug as bad as the rest of us! (and now you totally understand how delighted I was that I can finally spin again!!)
Congrats on your new family member - you two will be doing lots of miles together.
and yes - naming a wheel is a cool thing! Tell your dear hubby that there is nothing quite as wonderful as knitting with handspun, and by next year this time (or maybe even sooner), you'll be making him something from it.
Posted by: Teyani | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Oh, and it looks so nice by your new kitchen!!! Congratulations on the new wheel.
(I can't help you with the name. I'm name -challenged.)
Posted by: marissa | Friday, June 12, 2009 at 11:03 PM
You are right about first handspun once. It's self evident, but still very funny the way you phrase it. I'd give the Minstrel about a month. I, biased that I am, think you made an excellent long term choice with the Schacht. I named one wheel. I haven't been able to find good, non schlocky names for the others.
Oh yes, that stash. Just WAIT til the fleeces start to appeal. It isn't even a slippery slope, it's a precipice you never see coming until it's too late. But it is SO much fun and so relaxing. Your first handspun is good. A hat is an excellent idea.
Posted by: Laurie | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 05:19 AM
Roving takes more space than yarn. Yes you do need more space. You're first handspun is very nice! I named my wheel Emmylou, because she sings so beautifully.
Posted by: margene | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 05:45 AM
Although I totally saw you getting a wheel - I honestly didn't think it would be that fast! And I have the same wheel - it's amazing and has been my favorite to spin on since the first day I had it. I can spin even faster with it now because of the Wooly Winder I have on it - amazing that you don't have to stop and move the yarn to another hook. Have fun. I won't even venture a guess on the second wheel :)
Posted by: chris | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Congratulations.! I'm glad you decided on a wheel and love it. Happy spinning.
I haven't named my wheel... can't find the right name.
Posted by: Chery | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 06:19 AM
OMG - that's too amazing! BTW, I'm glad to see it wore its seatbelt in the car. I'm glad it has a home in your brand new kitchen. The kitchen looked great, but it was missing some personal touch... like a new spinning wheel. Squeeeeeeal! Have fun. (I'm betting 7 days before #2 comes home to roost with you)
Posted by: Jennifer | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 06:30 AM
Those Schacht wheels are so, so pretty. And you're doing GREAT for your first yarn! Congratulations!
Posted by: --Deb | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Congrats on getting a wheel! I'm so happy for you- Yay! (the Matchless is my Dream Wheel...someday...)It's a beautiful wheel-and you're going to have so much fun spinning on it.
Posted by: PBnJ | Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:34 PM
I give you six weeks, but I think you made a great decision. I love Schacht wheels, they are so smooth and luxiourious.
Posted by: Rebekah | Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 09:28 AM
six months till you buy that second wheel..... I have the first version of the Schacht since my son was a baby (said baby is now age 18)
Posted by: Holly | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 05:26 AM
Wow, beautiful!
Posted by: Miss T | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Very nice!
Posted by: Andrea | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Great first yarn. First yarn is always just so special. I kept mine to pet on occaision. Reminds me of how far I've come. Of course I name my wheels. I have Babe, and Sheila. They are begging for a little sister. We'll see...
Posted by: Mikki | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I like the name Seamus (pronounced Shey-mus) for the new wheel. Seamus translates to "substitute" as in a time substitute for knitting. P.S. Check your Ravelery for a message from me!
Posted by: Dena | Monday, June 15, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Congratulations. And do knit that yarn - it's so much fun to make something with yarn you've spun yourself.
Posted by: Jane | Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 08:10 PM
Lovely addition to the fiber addiction! ;)
Congrats - your first yarn is so pretty...
(((hugs)))
Posted by: knitnana | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 07:18 AM
It looks very fun! Enjoy!
Posted by: tiennie | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 10:55 AM
Congratulations on your wheel. I get a lot of vicarious pleasure watching what others spin up. It looks as if you're very accomplished for a new spinner.
Posted by: marjorie | Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at 02:05 PM
What a beautiful wheel. I agree that it looks like a boy. Are you thinking a classic name or something more modern. It seemed a little like a Chester or a Benjamin to me. I really have no idea why though.
After a year or so I have finally named my Kromski Sonata, Claire.
Posted by: Robin | Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 09:15 PM
Congratulations! Beautiful first yarn. I recommend getting a WooLee Winder next for the Schacht. You'll love it!
Posted by: Daisy | Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 02:31 PM
One word (name): Robin
Posted by: Tressa in NC | Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 07:38 PM