Fiber Monday - Adding to the herd

I bet with that title you were thinking along these lines,


or maybe even these, though I would have used the group term, flock.


Instead what I brought home today was added to my herd of spinning wheels. This lovely wheel came home with me today. 




This is a great wheel, also known as a wool wheel or a walking wheel. It's kind of large.

I have wanted one for quite a while, both because I wanted to learn to spin on it, but also because I happen to think they are the epitome of spinning wheel coolness. So when you see a functioning one with all it's parts on sale in your town for less than it costs to take everyone to the ice cream stand, you don't pause and think, "I wonder where I'd put that." No, the appropriate response is, "When can I come pick it up?" So bring a reasonable human being this is what I asked and picked it up earlier today. 

Then, I was very self-controlled and did all the house-type things that needed to be done before I allowed myself to play. After about an hour or so of fiddling, I'm happy to report that I am now able to spin yarn on it. Is it beautiful yarn? No, not by any stretch of the imagination. But it is passable and a pretty decent first attempt at a very different way of spinning from my other wheels. See?


Plus, now I have a very nice visual aid when talking to spinning students about the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. 


Yes, I am giddily excited about it. No, I don't really have any idea about where it's actually going to live. 

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