That's right, I've now almost been married for 5 years. Five years! Our anniversary is June 23rd. Well, as I say, the 5th anniversary is wood. And you know what's made of wood? Spinning wheels! I couldn't contain myself until the 23rd when I started getting the inkling that I was going to get a wheel, so I pestered Andy to take me to the store ASAP.
Woo-hoo! I present to you, dear readers, my very own Lendrum double treadle spinning wheel! As I read in other places, one rarely goes in to the store and buys the wheel they expected to. Morgaine at Carolina Homespun listened to what I was looking for and asked if I'd considered the Lendrum. I hadn't. She brought one out for me, set me up with some fiber and let me have at it. I love it. LOVE it! I wasn't even sure if I was going to buy a wheel today, but it just had to come home with me once I had played with it.
I also bought two pounds(!) of blue-faced Leicester to play with as I'm learning. So far I have almost one bobbin full. I can hardly contain my spinning excitement ...
Any Bay Area spinners up for meeting up and giving me some pointers? Spinnity, I bought a book that I think is the one you mentioned -- Hands on Spinning? Anyone else have other book recommendations?
Congrats and Happy Anniversary! What a great gift! My 1st anniversary is on the 24th- the traditional gift is just paper though ;)
Posted by: Jennifer at June 12, 2006 10:42 AMDamn, I missed getting my own wheel 2 years ago! When is the year for yarn?
Posted by: Elspeth at June 12, 2006 10:50 AMCongratulations! Today is my 12th! Apparently that's silk but I'm getting a new camera instead. I can't wait to learn to spin later this summer.
Posted by: hillary at June 12, 2006 11:23 AMhappy a-day.. and what a lovely piece of wood you have there!
Posted by: atu at June 12, 2006 12:21 PMHappy Anniversary. But I have to disagree, it's the 10th anniversary that's wood. Because that's what I got this year for my 10th. Oh maybe I should tell my husband he's 5 years late, so I should get another present!
Posted by: Rebekah at June 12, 2006 1:38 PMMaybe take up a subscription to Interweave's spinning magazine - I buy it all the time and only am just learning to spin w. a spinfle. In the archives of The Keyboard Biologist and sweetgeorgia blogs they talk about their spinning. Let us know how it goes!
Posted by: Terry at June 12, 2006 9:24 PMTalk about a thoughtful gift:-) Happy wooden anniversary! Happy Spinning!
Posted by: Julia at June 12, 2006 11:02 PMThat's awesome!! I'm so jealous! I want to spin. Happy Anniversary. I'm quickly on my way to my 0th? =)
Posted by: Margit at June 13, 2006 6:40 AMHey, my 5 year anniversary is coming up too! Whoops, I just bought MYSELF a Lendrum last month. Ah well. It is a lovely wheel though! So smooth, so quick, so enticing...maybe I need to go spin a bit right now. =)
Posted by: Faith at June 13, 2006 9:45 AMOH MY GOD! YAY!!!!!! Welcome to the club. You will have the time of your life! I just got the Alden Amos Big Book of handspinning. That is a great book. I don't think you will need anything else if you get that.
I ordered some things from Carolina Homespun. They are fantastic!
Have fun with the wheel. Can't wait to see what you come up with!
Posted by: beth at June 13, 2006 9:46 AMLendrum, as you know, is my VERY FAVORITE wheel -- I've had mine 10 years and it's always felt like just the right spinning companion. Congratulations on finding just the right wheel and on 5 yrs of wedded bliss!
I am fully down with the idea of a spinning day!
Posted by: spinnity at June 13, 2006 11:56 PMBeautiful patterns. I must also compliment your photo featuring the hedera pattern sock and water plants at the Knitty site. The liquid quality of the photo is gorgeous. Congrats on your 5th. My silver is coming up at the end of August. I wish you many, many more.
Posted by: Catalina6 at June 14, 2006 6:27 PMVery lovely! I'm awaiting my Kromski Symphony in the mail any day, my heart pounding every time I head up the driveway and scan for a box.
Being about to open a knitting/spinning shop, I called Lendrum to ask about carrying their wheels. The guy who answered was apparently the owner, and was clearly in a workshop shouting over the sound of woodworking machines. He told me he's totally swamped and can't take any new dealers for some time to come, from which I understand that you've got one fine, well-loved wheel there. Congrats!
Hehehehe You said Wood. LOL! Congratulations and happy anniversary!
I'm a spinner in the Bay area - but my time is rather limited, and I almost never leave Marin... Oh, and I've never tried a Lendrum, and I'm self taught... But if you really wanted to you could come out to Fairfax, and I can show you a little bit (man - I'm soooo helpful aren't I?)
I just found your blog, and am not exactly sure where you're located, but they have just put a listing on-line of all the fibery events going on in the Bay Area... you can find it here:
http://www.cnch.org/pages/newscopy.html
You have to scroll down a ways. But hey, should be helpful, right?
I've been to the Spindles and Flyers meeting over in the East Bay once - (last month) and plan on going again next month... It's listed on the newsletter with the link I just put up.
It's lovely seeing new spinners in the area. Can't wait to see what you create
Have fun with it! I sure love my little Joy wheel, and am expecting my second wheel in 5-7 weeks.
Abi in Fairfax
Posted by: abigale at June 16, 2006 10:56 AM