My first finished skein

[skysthelimit]

Here's my first finished skein, finally finished it,dyed it today in class.

And the broken wheel I am currently spinning the angora on.

 

[MamaMandy]

That is so awesome! Are you going to knit or crochet that skein?

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

VERY cool!!! I like that color, too. Got any specific plans for it?

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

looks great! better then my first yarn hahaha. MUCH BETTER.

and the wheel is only broken if you cant make yarn with it! ;D mine is the same way. i've got it rigged up and it barely works.

 

[skysthelimit]

The first project is a hat or cowl for my sheep herding instructor, who gave me the wool. This will be a crochet project.

The flyer arms are completely gone, so I have to hold the yarn over the bobbin and wind it on by hand, but this is faster than the kick spinner. I sure am itching for a new wheel. I am really in love with the Louet, but the Hitchhiker and another one are a bit less expensive. I assume what it takes to get a new flyer for the Saxony wheel is about half the price of the Bumblebee, so I might as well buy a new one.

black cherry kool aid

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I have to ask sky... Would that color fade after two washes as it is done in kool aid.

 

[skysthelimit]

I have to ask sky... Would that color fade after two washes as it is done in kool aid.

No. using Kool Aid is a pretty common way of dyeing yarn. I asked the same question the first time I heard of it. I shutter at the thought of drinking this stuff.

 

[MaggieJ]

Your skein looks great, Sky! Hope you'll post a picture of the finished hat or cowl.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

That is a very nice color. Can't wait to see what the finished project looks like!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

That is so cool and very nice of you!!! Yes you must share pictures when it is done!

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

I have to ask sky... Would that color fade after two washes as it is done in kool aid.

No. using Kool Aid is a pretty common way of dyeing yarn. I asked the same question the first time I heard of it. I shutter at the thought of drinking this stuff.

yup i'm going to do some dying with koolaid. havent yet but lots of awesome pics of fibers/yarns/projects dyed in koolaid.

and..um.. my sisters use koolaid and hair conditioner to dye/highlight their hair. alot less damaging then "regular" hair dyes with all the chemicals...
and i must admit i fell myself. first (and probably only) hair dye of my life, cherry koolaid tips. looks interesting. hair smelled like koolaid for a day or two but alot better then some peoples colonge/perfume.

 

[skysthelimit]

I love the fruit smell from the yarn.

My herding instructor gave me all of the wool free, so it's the least I can do.

My van is going to cost less than expected, so I have a little more money. I'm trying to decide whether I want the Louet, Krominski, hitchhiker or the bumblebee. The bumblebee is less expensive, and the same style ask the Louet and Hitchhiker. I have no idea what the differences are, if I bought the Louet, it would be on name alone. Then I have to decide whether to sell my kick spindle or no.

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

I love the fruit smell from the yarn.

My herding instructor gave me all of the wool free, so it's the least I can do.

My van is going to cost less than expected, so I have a little more money. I'm trying to decide whether I want the Louet, Krominski, hitchhiker or the bumblebee. The bumblebee is less expensive, and the same style ask the Louet and Hitchhiker. I have no idea what the differences are, if I bought the Louet, it would be on name alone. Then I have to decide whether to sell my kick spindle or no.

i think the difference in louet and bumblebee (without looking at the moment to see, just from memory) that you would have to buy the things to change the louet over to spin bulky or with the larger bulky bobbin. which is one reason i'm going with the bumblebee.

see orifice sizes on the wheels you are looking at. if you want to be able to do some bulky or art yarns then this will matter more then if you just want to do laceweight or worsted, etc.

i think if it were me i would hold onto the kick spindle until you get the wheel and see how you like it. you never know, you might like it more.

 

[skysthelimit]

Good advice. Bulky and art yearn isn't really my thing, but you never know. The kick spindle is painfully slow, and a lot of foot work, though it gets the job done..

 

[AnnClaire]

Sky, do any of the new spinning wheels you are looking at have parts that are interchangeable with the saxony wheel you already have? In particular, the flyer that is broken on the saxony?

Also, have you checked on Ravelry in the Spinning forums for parts for the saxony? Lots of good deals on there! And it is free, and lots of specialty groups for all levels of crochet, knitting, spinning, and some fiber groups!<br /><br />__________ Fri Feb 22, 2013 6:20 am __________<br /><br />Whoops, almost forgot AWESOME first skein!!! And that dye job is to die for!

 

[skysthelimit]

Thanks.

Most of the wheels I am looking at are the more modern ones, with the metal flyer arms. The orifice is only 10mm, the modern replacements are generally 15mm. I spend a lot of time on eBay and CL peeking around, but once the price gets over $150, I might as well invest in a new wheel.

I did post to Ravelry, no parts so far, just a few wheels. I contacted a few people, Finnsheep and The Merlin Tree. I am waiting for a response. But I really would like a smaller wheel than the Saxony to carry around with me, even though I plan on getting it restored. I am also thrilled at the though of personalizing the wheel.

 

[Oceanrose]

Louets are good sturdy wheels. I had one for awhile but it had too much takeup for my taste and I sold it to another spinner.

I have heard good and bad things about bumblebees, never spun on one.

Hitchhikers are cute little wheels. They do have a reputation for being a little noisy.

Other inexpensive wheels to look at:

Ashford Kiwis, Majacraft Pioneers (that'd be my first choice though they are more). If you can happen upon a used Lendrum, they are awesome.

Beautiful skein btw!! Great job .

 

[skysthelimit]

Thanks. Good advice. I do know that a noisy wheel would drive me crazy