New Spinning Wheel Finds

Yes. Last year right around Valentines Day I got This . Her name is Cassandra, quit a lovely little spinning wheel. I had a time of it trying to use my feet. Had no idea I was so clumsy.

Here is another awesome bike wheel. The Thrifty Fox Spinning Wheel
This is a PDF download and just so you know it's 11 bucks and 25 cents. On sale baby, on sale. She uses a bike wheel and it's also a spindle wheel.

Now, should you be interested in spending more and are an amazing woodworker you have this.
The Zephyr 40 bucks people. This is not a spindle wheel. It has the whole whorl and bobbin thing. Looks very well crafted.

A lot of folks are looking for the DragonKeep plans. That web page has fell of the face of the earth. She had the free plans. She left us. We are sad. But 7 and 11 pesos is not so bad, right?

I have lately been thinking about crafting up plans. Wonder if I could even bend my brain that-a-way but here is the thought. Well some back ground first. I found a wheel chair someone threw away. I grabbed it. We, dear HB and myself, broke it down and was left with 2 big wheels and 2 small. I do believe you may see where my bent brain is going.

In the olden days they had the Great Wheel. Later, in the olden days, they added another smaller wheel. Ah hem. The Minor's Head. AKA the Accelerator. Check this link out...

http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff12/KSFEATff12glossary.php

You will see pictures of 2 spindle types here, neither of which our fav inventors have created. They have used the simplest of designs. Just a spindle.

The first pic is the "Bat's Head" spindle and the second is the "Minor's Head". The speed machine of the Great Wheels. Well, so, yes, I have lately been thinking of crafting up plans...with those wheel chair wheels....

A Spindle Wheel On YouTube: Link below

Kinda cute. Kinda clunky. An option for someone...

And now. May I introduce the new addition to my fiber family.

                                                                      
                                          Ain't he a beaut.
This is a Brother Drum Carder . Has the lowest price far as I can see. It works good. Not used it for a bit cause I've been spinning from the (tangled) locks.

                                          Wanna see something amazing?

                                                  
Now that is gorgeous. My genuis husband made it. A true MacGyver it. But sadly the nails were too close up and down and all around. He took it away. I did say it didn't work. I think I may have hurt their feelings. I do hope he tries to make another lovely some day.

                                         Look at those teeth!
You can see where I removed some of the nails hoping it would help. But alas...

To the person searching for free box picker instructions, here's a Link for a picker already made. I have one but I seem to have forgotten to take a picture of it. Not to expensive. Something like 140 -150 bucks. (For those not in the US it's the shipping that kills ya. But a girl's gotta have what a girl's gotta have, right?). I have not found free instrux for a wool picker anywhere online. Yet. (Mumbles to self, "hmmm, maybe the husband will scratch one up....")

Well, looks like my camera cord has up and walked away. Hiding out. Really? No. I put it somewhere safe. Yeah. Must'a thought it was a good spot. Anyway, I wanted to share some pictures of the lastest batch of yarn I'm been working on. Some was dyed with marigolds and some with sunflowers. Again I will say this is so fun. I guess I'll have to force my lazy butt back online another day and post some pics. I'd rather do a bit of spinning, but then again I do want to share about my (how slow can ya go) progress.

Time for bed...

knitting saves the day!

Took a vaca to New River Gorge. Me, my sis and Gorge-ous, the young man above. No. I do not white water raft nor would I ever. ever. bungy jump. We just meandered the route around the river and came to the falls pictured behind "The Dude". This spot, near the head of the New River, is called Sandstone Falls.

Another view of Sandstone Falls

A view of Sandstone Falls at Overlook across the river from on Rt 20

I've lived in West Virginny for a many years but this is a first time visit for me. I loved it. 

This is Grist Mill north of Sandstone. Way cooler in the flesh. Yes, it was raining.

This past week we camped near by but it was soooo cold in the mountains. So we had to cut camping short. Bummer! Still the trip was great and will remain a fav.

And how did Knitting Save the Day? Here's the deal. We pull into camp, pull tent from bag, pull poles (those crazy bungy rope/cord thingys) from their bag and boom, that new fangled bungy concept snaps! Uh oh....no tent poles, no tent!!
Sis says, "Heeey, I am freaking out!"
Course we could have gone to a motel but I thought, well, how about maybe we fix it.
"How the devil are we gonna do that? Look. Look where the sun is!" she says.
Yes, it was close to doing the sunset thing but I say, "let me get my tapestry needle!"
"What are we gonna do, sew it up?" She didn't say it but I know she wanted to. I saw the look. But she was freaking out hence the smart remark ready to leap from her lips. Bungy jump and dance a jig. Course she is very independent. A real tough cookie. Takes no shite from no one. Sick of being bossed around. All that kinda thing. But here we are in a pickle, so to speak, and being strong sometimes is not enough. Imagination may just save the day. I run for it (my needle) and my gold wool (a favorite color), tie yarn to cord, attach needle to yarn, drop needle into pole section and tamp it down. Well damn, it works! Dear nerve racked sister snatches the needle and begins to work. Must of been 15 of those babes needing need'ling. I did not think to take a picture of this intersting concept and, anyhow, the sister may not have stood for it.

I must add that I Always Take Along some kind of yarn craft. Many of my family members find this Very Annoying. But now I feel pretty justifited. Knitting does save the day. Guess knitting can have its uses.

Note: pictures were taked by sis. Thanks for taking me along for this adventure DC!