Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Much Ado

I've been up to nothing again lately.  Oh sure, I'm knitting and spindle spinning, but some consider that nothing.  In order to rectify this perception (my own) of doing nothing, I've taken to listening to educational podcasts.  In this manner, I can create the deillusion that my time is being well spent and I'm actually learning something.  Not nothing.

While doing nothing, my shawl is growing and so are my Crocus Fairy socks.  I've stumbled onto a spinner's podcast where I've learned all sorts of new things including how to incorporate spinning lingo into my daily lexicon.  My vocabulary is definitely expanding.  I've learned the difference between Navajo and Andean plying, how to control my drafting zone, the difference between woolen and worsted and all about drop spindles.  The next time I find myself doing nothing, I plan to listen to tips on spinning slippery fibers like silk, bamboo and tencel.

I'm also surfing madly to find the perfect spinning wheel.  It would help if I knew how to narrow this search, or had the ability to trial all of the wheels out there, but for now, I spend my time reading up on the virtues, or lack thereof of all of them.  Double drive or scotch tension?  Single or double treadle?  Portable or not?  Old or new?  Wood or other materials? Made right here in my own backyard, or shipped from abroad?  How is a girl who is so busy doing nothing supposed to make a big decision like this?  You know of course, a spinning wheel is a very pricey decision.  That's why I can't seem to take the plunge.  Once I do, I want it to be perfect.  I was the same way the first time I bought an itty-bitty skein of cashmere that preceded adequate knitting skills.

So I guess I've been doing more than nothing, even though it seems to be too relaxing to be anything more than nothing.

Rudee appears to be smitten with Schact's Ladybug wheel and is considering purchasing this entry level wheel.  She plans to take it for a spin around the block on Friday.   Feel free to leave a comment if you think she has finally lost her mind, or she is about to make a mistake she'll live to regret.

11 comments:

debra said...

You know me and knitting, Rudee. But to explore a new passion, taking risks along the way----how cool is that!!!

sue b said...

I have a Louet wheel and love it. I learned on it, and haven't tried anything else, so don't listen to me. Sign up for Ravelry if you haven't already. There are several spinning groups with great advice and information. http://www.ravelry.com Their site is an amazing resource.

Rudee said...

Debra- it is fun and challenging.

sue b- I am rudeek on rav. I've tried one of the Louets-not sure which. The Victoria comes with a
$200 coupon for fiber right now. That's a lot of fiber, and don't think I'm not swayed by that.

Kathleen said...

First--It's perfectly OK and wonderful to do nothing. Hard, though. And you don't need no stinkin' podcast to justify what you're doing, which certainly is not doing 'nothing'. (Enough double negatives in that sentence for you?)

Second--Would you be on my team? I have an opening for a genius. ~:^ D

Brenda said...

It is fun to learn and do new things and the picture of the two footed spinner looks like a winner to me.
Doing nothing eh.....umm....sounds like you do a lot.

Rositta said...

I'm searching too Rudee, let me know if you when you find the perfect wheel. I don't have an opportunity here to try any out which makes it more difficult. I'm saving my pennies for one...ciao

Betty F said...

I'm sorry Rudee, You lost me at Spinning? Still not too too sure what Spinning is?

Jane said...

Knitting and spinning is not doing nothing. If it is, I do a lot of it

Pandora's Box of FIber said...

I bought an Ashford Kiwi for my first wheel, but trust me, that Ladybug is freaking adorable and I like the different ratios!

It's a slippery slope, Spinning, but trust me, it's a lot of fun, and it gives you an excuse to buy fiber when you're on a yarn diet!

Yarn Spinner's Tales is a great podcast (that I just discovered last month) It helps a lot, so keep listening!

I only warn you. Don't buy a fleece as your first foray into spinning. It's a LOT of work. Fun, but still a lot of work. I've got 4 rolags carded from a Shetland, and another 3 lbs of fleece to go...

sandy said...

ah jump in and go for it, it's only money, ha!

I of course know absolutely nuttin about this subject..

Darci said...

I am finally signed on Ravelry so I shall have to scout you out. Now if only I could remember my user name.