Big news! HUGE, even.

Look!  What's this?  A bag of some sort.  Maybe a strangely misshapen bowling bag for a particularly hip bowler.  Or not.  Hmmmm.

And here is the other side with a big 'ol pocket. 

Handles for easy carrying and a zipper on top.

What can be inside?

Can it be?  Could it possibly be?  It IS!  It's a spinning wheel! AND....it's mine!  I am beside myself with joy.  I can hardly remember a time when I wasn't interested in learning to spin.  Sue, from my LYS , mentioned to me one day that she had a used wheel that she might be selling.  If I was interested, let her know.  IF I WAS INTERESTED?  I had saved some money a few months back to buy a wheel at the upcoming Stephenson County Fiber Festival, but had to use it to get a new sewing machine when the old one died while I was working on a commission bag.  Now I was being offered the possibility of a wheel, Lendrum no less, at an extremely reasonable price.  Be still my heart.  After it became mine the first thing I did was make it a cozy bag, cause bags is what I do. It also gave me some time to love it without using it in case I messed it up.  Sue gave me the basics when I picked it up, and I've done a little spindle spinning (poorly), but I have to admit that I was a little nervous about embarking on this adventure.  What if I suck at it? (I do, but it's alright.)  What if I mess it all up?  (so far, so good)  What if I hate it?  (ummm, right.)  The afore mentioned malfunction of the wrist makes prolonged spinning impossible, but I have done a little and I have to say that all you fabulous spinners are now my new heroes.  It is darn hard to get your feet and hands to work independently and produce something wonderful, and what I've produced so far is anything but.  When I get into that rhythm and everything is flowing right, if not perfectly, and the wool isn't breaking all the time and that lovely whirring noise is happening....that is some amazingly cool stuff. 

To say that I have alot to learn is the understatement of the century.  Laughable, really.  WPI sounds suspiciously like math to me, which is just frightening.  What wool produces what product and plying and oiling the wheel and the niddy noddy and....hoo boy.  Right now I am blissfully happy with my lumpy yarn and the happy noise of a wheel in the hands of an eager learner.  Tomorrow morning I attend my very first spinners group and plan to absorb knowledge and wisdom from those who actually know what's up. 

To any and all spinners out there....if you've got a tip for a beginner and are willing to share, I'm your girl. 

Comments

[Annie]

Congratulations! It's a beautiful wheel.

The best tip I received was to slow down. Take your time and enjoy the feel of the fiber. Also, here's a great site that has video to watch of spinning http://www.joyofhandspinning.com/

I'm no expert at all, but I'm self-taught and I enjoy it. Hopefully you'll get some great tips from great spinners. Good luck!

[Joy]

Love the bag! and the wheel. Yipee for you. Ever think about making Lendrum bags? The ones out are blah. Yippee for you re: the wheel. I bet you are spinning right now!

Joy

[Joy]

Sheesh! I look back and notice that it IS a Lendrum bag! Duhhhhh! And it's beautiful!

[christine]

How fun!
Hey, I going to the Stephenson County Fiber Festival! On Saturday...We have friends in Freeport, and get to stay there that weekend. When she mentioned "fiber festival" I said, oh? That might be fun!!!!!are you kidding? Do I want to go? duh.............!

[Marcia]

Congratulations! Lendrum is such a nice wheel (you can upgrade to a double treadle, too, you know) and it will almost teach you to spin! Great bag, too!

[Liz]

Yay! You "came out"! :)
You do know that you need to save that first "designer" yarn for future reference, right? It's amazing when you see how far you have come.

LOVE the bag!

[Debi]

Congratulations on your new "baby" Holly! Here new bag is quite chic too! Enjoy her!