I signed up as a participant in NaBloPoMo (I can't make myself say it, and I can barely make myself type it - it's a stupid name for something). Anyway, I'm taking this on in an effort to be a better poster, but I wanted some sort of fall back position - a theme, if you will. Since I'm still on a SOAR high as well as an organizational kick, I've snapped pictures of all my spindles and collected their vital stats in one place. Now begins the saga of my spindles...
This little Hatchtown Kaari is the first spindle I ever bought. When I took my first spinning class, we had to begin on spindles - and I HATED it. Couldn't make the thing turn and then switch my hands fast enough for drafting. My yarn was the lumpiest, bumpiest, ugliest stuff ever.
Fast forward a couple of years and I was on a business trip in Boston. I usually check out the local yarn shops whenever I travel and found Mind's Eye Yarns. It's a lovely little shop in a brightly colored house. As I was checking out from buying some yarn, I spotted this little spindle hanging behind the counter. I asked Lucy if I could see it and she handed it over. I did try spinning on it in the store (just to prove I could do it), but I really never intended to spin on it for any sort of production. It's just a beautiful spindle. Why shouldn't I have at least one spindle? I'm a spinner - so what if I never use it?
That little spindle sat in my house for a couple of years and then I went to SOAR in 2003. I brought it with me, figuring that someone could teach me to use it better than I already was. If you haven't been to a SOAR, you can't believe how many people are just hanging around wanting to help you do something better. I took a spindle workshop class with Andrea Mielke and could actually make yarn with it!
At the Spin-In on the last night, a woman who's also a member of my guild gave me more pointers. She told me to spin 20 minutes a day for a week and I'd be able to spindle spin forever. She was right - thanks Donna!!!
I took this spindle to Rhinebeck last year hoping that Jim could notch it for me. He wasn't there, but the woman in their booth took $5.00 and the spindle and said he would notch it and send it back. About 3 weeks later, it came in the mail. He also sent a note with it saying that he oiled and buffed it. Great customer service!
Specs
Shaft length: 7 inches (18 cm)
Whorl diameter: approx. 2.75 inches (7 cm)
Wood: no idea
Weight: no idea
Price: $39.00
Where and when bought: Boston, 1998
I've been spinning happily, and fairly proficiently, on my wheel for over 15 years, but only got to grips with spindle spinning in the last 3 years.
I was going to say that some of us are made that way, but I think having a good teacher is the key.
It's a nice skill to have, but I still prefer spinning on my Schact.
Posted by: Emma. | November 01, 2007 at 06:34 PM