Sep 12 2006
A New Member of the Household
So around here we don’t have a “ton” of spinning stores, but we do have more than none. I took my spinning classes at a lovely cozy store called Wool, Warp & Wheel in Richmond, Illinois (so close to wisconsin that you can smell the cheese).  This last weekend the excellent Heloptrope689 and her friend Katherine and I headed on a field-trip out to the other uh “local” store called The Fold, in Marengo.
Toni - the wonderful woman who owns the store packs more yarn and fiber in per square inch than I have seen anywhere else, and even with all that the store feels sunny and friendly and not over-crowded.
As part of the trip, H. and K. had arranged for a spindling lesson, but my main goal was to try as many spinning wheels as I could get my hands on. The conventional wisdom seems to be to try as many wheels as you can before you buy, and Toni has the best selection in the area - so it would be a major understatement to say I was really excited about this.
I tried out Lendrums, Majacrafts, Louets, and Ashfords (previously I have tried Baynes, Jensens and Kromskis). Prior to the trip I had been sort of jonesing after a Jensen Tina II, but the cost was a bit prohibitive and had a few other detractions. I really didn’t like the Louet at all, me and bobbin lead didn’t get along. The Majacraft were okay, but I had problems getting them adjusted right, and one wouldn’t stop squeaking, and I wasn’t overjoyed with the small wheel. I also liked the Ashford Joy, and if i was looking for a “travel” wheel it would have considered it. Instead I fell for a Lendrum double treadle. Having finally got a chance to try a true scotch-tension, I decided I liked it much more than the double-drives that I had tried in the past.
So here is a picture of my new wheel right out of the box and setup - in this picture I have attached a leader, but haven’t even spun anything on it yet.
I of course have spun on it by now, but I have to skein and set it before I can tell what it will look like. Pictures to come later.
Hooray! She is a friendly little wheel, indeed! (I am not so fluent in technical distinctions as you, but I liked the hum, and the way the wheel pulled the fiber just the right amount.) I was thrilled to help wheel-shop and take this one home, and I’m getting REALLY impatient to go home and meet my own wheel.
Hey, finally found your blog, from a link on trope’s site. I’m really glad your wheel is working out for you — can’t wait to see the innaugural yarn.
I’m making good progress with my spindle…If I have time this week, I’m going to try my luck with Andean plying.