Picture of My “New” Louet Wheel
Thursday, May 22nd, 2003Here is the oft-requested picture of my “new” Louet S10 wheel. Not really new… almost new but purchased used from my friend Tony, after I sold my Ashford Traditional to my friend Jacquie to raise the funds. It all worked out so well I am delighted. If you remember that I got the Ashford in trade with a friend for two pair of handknit socks about a year and a half ago, you can see I feel I live a charmed life sometimes! I definitely do have the right friends in my life!
Isn’t she beautiful? I love this wheel. It’s a very well-made machine, on a practical side. On top of that, I love clean, modern lines. I am *so* not a turned-wood person, *so* not a traditional person. I was raised with Danish modern furniture (oiled walnut with clean lines) and I find that less is more, for me. This wheel is just the most beautiful one I’ve ever seen. (It was made in Holland.)
I appreciate the wheels other people go nuts over… the handmade, hand-carved ones… but I honestly like this one better for me. She doesn’t have a name yet, but I’m sure it won’t be long until she does.
Before I got this wheel, I was planning to get a clear purple wood finish and make this sweetheart purple (showing the grain). I may still do it, but now that I am face to face with this beautiful wood it seems a shame to do a thing to it. The grain actually flashes when I’m spinning, reflecting light. It’s a beautiful thing.
Lookie! I’ve filled my first (large) bobbin! It’s about 5 ounces of fiber on there. It would take maybe another half-ounce but I have lots of single-ounce samples and I want to keep each colorway an unbroken strand.
I really want to make these sample yarns into a rectangular stole with fringe. I am thinking I’ll use one strand of the handspun sample yarns, and one strand of (ideally) black brushed mohair, together as one, probably. I will use garter stitch probably, or seed stitch if that doesn’t work right. I like the stretchiness of these stitches and the fact that they sort of blend the colors from one row to another.
I like the idea of black because even pale colors shine through as if they are even more colorful, in contrast with black. I like mohair just because I love mohair, I guess… but it sort of fills in the holes and makes a lightweight item that is translucent but warm. And I’m just plain not a lace grrrl even if the yarns would let me knit them into lace.
It looks like maybe I will be able to take a six-week spinning course at the new East Lansing Hannah Center (I’m grieving for our beloved Bailey Center where classes used to be held, though). My schedule at Foster changes in the summer so this may work out. That would be lovely. I’ve only had two spinning classes so far, one for 4 hours and one for 1.5 hours. I’m generally pleased with the yarn I’m making, but more knowledge is always a good thing.
Now, May I Get Your Attention??
Tomorrow (Friday, May 23) is Sarah Peasley’s birthday! Why not go to her blog, Handknitter, and leave her a birthday greeting? Why not?