June 17, 2007
New Spinning Wheel
I've been tagged for a meme and I haven't forgotten, but it will have to wait for another post, because there is big news at my house: a new spinning wheel and its first FO!
I'm still pinching myself to make sure that I'm not dreaming. Last month Sivia Harding decided to sell her Journey Wheel, and she allowed me to buy it. It's a single treadle, double drive wheel. Whisper light, responsive as a sports car, and thanks to the double drive, oh so very smooth. I do love a driven bobbin!
I sat down to spin right away, and within a few days it announced 'I'm Cherry Berry." So Cherry it is, and Cherry she will stay. I wanted to make something special for the JW's first project.
I chose Lilibet.
Lilibet is a finewool/kid/silk blend from The Silkworker. I did the math and spun it carefully according to Anne Field's formulas, doing the singles and plying based on the crimp of the wool (14 cpi would you believe) and the loft of the fiber. Lilibet rewarded me with a fingering yarn that is bouncy and full of life, and glows as if lit from within.
What did Lilibet turn into?
Here's a clue:
It's the graceful tip of Sivia's Diamond Fantasy Scarf. Here is the DFS blocking.
I made Lilibet into the DFS as a tip of the hat to Sivia's great design, and as a big thank-you for entrusting me with her JW.
Thank you, Sivia!!!
Posted by Jan at June 17, 2007 09:55 PMBeeeeee-yoooo-tiful. :)
Posted by: Rosemary on June 18, 2007 12:49 AMI am so flubbergasted... it is so freeking gorgeous, and what an amazing tribute... you are a wonderful spinner, better than I am obviously!!!! You definitely deserve the JW, long may she spin up gorgeousness like this for you!
Posted by: sivia on June 18, 2007 12:51 AMWow! Lovely!
Posted by: Octopus Knits on June 18, 2007 01:14 AMJan enjoy the wheel, and the shawl - it's so beautiful!
Posted by: CarolineF on June 18, 2007 07:32 AMCongratulations Jan!!! The shawl is amazing too!!!!
Posted by: elizabeth on June 18, 2007 07:57 AMIt was obviously meant to be! The shawl is more than beautiful.
Posted by: Kerry on June 18, 2007 08:25 AMWow! a new wheel, it's first yarn, and the shawl it turned into! The DFS is gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you and your new wheel work on next.
Posted by: Vicki on June 18, 2007 09:01 AMGoodness me, I'm drooling! Exquisite tools to make exquisite things - does it get any better?
Posted by: meg on June 18, 2007 11:02 AMOh, Jan - you've done each other proud! What a gorgeous wheel, what a gorgeous yarn, and what a gorgeous project. I think you and Cherry are going to be very happy together. Massive congratulations!
Posted by: Sam on June 18, 2007 11:56 AMI love your dfs. I need to be finishing mine, but it has been so long I am almost afraid of it. I think that your new wheel is just perfect for you.
Posted by: marti on June 18, 2007 03:07 PMYour spinning is beyond perfection, and the shawl (one of my favourite designs) is lovely in perfect summer colours. I can hear how happy you are with the wheel, and just looking at it and what you have created with it makes me happy too.
Posted by: Melanie on June 18, 2007 03:31 PMWhoa. Good work, Jan, it's gorgeous! Enjoy your wheel--you obviously have a good thing going with her!
Posted by: Joanne on June 18, 2007 03:51 PMYOU are truly Amazing! My jaw drops just thinking about all that you did!
What beautiful yarn you made...and then turned it into that Gorgeous (!!) shawl!
WOW!!
Congratulations on incorporating Cherry into your life....she certainly loves you!
Beautiful, beautiful shawl! Have fun with your new toy!!
Posted by: Kim on June 20, 2007 08:44 AMwow wow wow all the way around!
Posted by: vanessa on June 20, 2007 07:03 PMMy, you are fast! Beautiful work!
Posted by: Kim on June 20, 2007 07:49 PMWow Jan, that is some gorgeous spinning and knitting! Lucky you, on the Journey Wheel find! So glad you are getting along so very well! :)
Posted by: June on June 21, 2007 07:58 AMThat is just beautiful. Spinning is on my list to learn someday, except it will cut into my knitting time.
Posted by: Nancy on June 21, 2007 03:03 PMJan, your shawl is gorgeous. I love the colors!
I think those little Journey Wheels are so cute.
Posted by: denise on June 27, 2007 08:46 AMWow! You don't need me to tell you but wow that's gorgeous!
Posted by: AlisonH on June 27, 2007 01:46 PMYour shawl is beautiful! What a wonderful tribute.
Posted by: Monica on July 3, 2007 11:41 PMHi Jan,
I just checked out the Journey Wheel on their website... I love how it folds up... by day a mild-mannered wooden suitcase, but night a spinny flurry of activity.
What you've made with it is breath-taking. The yarn! The shawl! It's beyond words.
You are remarkable!
Posted by: Michelle & Zooey on July 4, 2007 03:37 PMJan, the DFS is gorgeous! Lucky you - new wheel!
Posted by: Jen on July 21, 2007 02:06 AM