I've been wheelie good...
Thanks everyone for the responses on Mirabella. I'm actually still kind of nervous about it (beginning designer's nerves, y'know), and curious to see how it'll look when someone knits from my directions... Aerobic isn't found everywhere; I believe it may be discontinued, but I hope that doesn't discourage anyone from using another sock yarn that knits to the gauge specified. One thing that I recommend is using a yarn that is solid or subtly variegated, or with a low-contrast variegation. Wendy talked about variegated yarn and lace here, and I echo the opinion.
I put the pattern in the sidebar, and Liesel asked for the pattern to the Drooping Elm Leaves Scarf so I'll be adding that shortly.
So, I bought a Lendrum. Yup, I *finally* did! I won't bother to mention how many spinning blogs and reviews I read, how many people I pestered, how many books I pored through at the library, how many Spin-Offs I read this year to try to make my decision. BF and I rode to The Village Spinning and Weaving Shop in Solvang last weekend to try out a few wheels. Proprietors John and Marsha were so kind and patient with me. BF and Marsha actually talked about motorcycles, of all things to find in common, while John showed me the intricacies of the Ashford Joy and the Lendrum. In the end, the Lendrum Double Treadle (Regular package) won out on versatility (more ratios) and price, even though I had my heart set on the more aesthetic Joy. But there was no big loss. I am *in love* with this wheel!
As you can see, I dove headfirst into spinning some fluffy, creamily white Coopworth. I bought 8 ounces, enough to practice spinning on. I have consistency problems (too thin, too thick, not enough twist, way too twisty), but this is only the first half ounce, so I expect to do better!
Lucky me! I just found 8 balls of baruffa aerobic at the thrift store a couple weekends ago...now I know what I can make with some of it! I did look around online to see if I could find out anything about the yarn--I didn't come up with much. I think you might be right about it being discontinued. Thanks for a great pattern (I love a good PGR shortrow heel)!
Yay MJ! I love love love my Lendrum - Wendy (Spaaz) loves hers too. Welcome to the dark side.
i just tried a lendrum for the first time this weekend - it was great! i'm still torn by the traditional romantic look of the ashford traveller, but the ratios of the lendrum are great. and i love how easy it is to change bobbins - on the traveller it's a little more rickety, in my opinion. how exciting for you - a new wheel! yay ;)
Congratulations on the new wheel!
Aaaaak!!! You bought a wheel! I am so happy for you! There's nothing like it! The ledrums are so nice. If they had a st I would buy one in a second, they are beautiful wheels. You are going to be hooked in no time flat!
No matter what you say, I'm impressed that what you've spun so far looks like yarn! You'll have it down in no time.
Hooray for you! I adore my wheel. I was surprised at how quickly I picked it up - you'll be spinning like a pro in no time! I did get a bit of good advice when I started - it's better to practice for 15 minutes a day rather than two hours all at once. I don't know why, but it's true.
Thanks for posting the Liesel Lace Scarf pattern! Most generous! The PDF looks so professional, too. I have been pouring over my pattern collection to match a stitch pattern to some special new yarn in my stash. I think this might be it!
Hey, looks pretty damn good for a first bobbin to me! I have no doubt that you will really, really enjoy knitting it up.
We should have a spin-in sometime.
Your first bobbin looks great. You'll be knitting it up in no time. I ordered an Ashford Traditional and went to the shop while I was waiting for it and spun on her Ashford Traveller. I have been practicing on my Traditional, but I am just not doing nearly as well as I did on the Traveller. I called her about Ashford's exchange policies, but her opinion seemed to be that I was stuck with it. Oh, well, maybe if I keep practicing I'll do better.
Lesson for Anyone Wanting To Buy A Wheel: To Spin is not just to spin. Practice on different wheels before you purchase. I guess I thought well, since I did great on the traveller, I would do great on the traditional, not!