I asked the folks on Ravelry if anyone had ever seen a wheel like the one I just bought last week- and someone referred me to the following video.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2iY4VFDiZI&hl=en&fs=1&]
(My wheel makes her entrance at about 1:15)
So, it would seem that she’s more likely Serbian or Croatian in origin than Welsh,, though she certainly might have come through the UK on her way here.
Neat, eh?
(I’m still not decided on a name- gonna take another week to think about it, though I’m leaning towards Sophie.)
Yesterday, the man installed nylon bearings for her wheel (where there had previously been small pieces of cloth and axle grease). Big improvement. Wheel spins more freely now.
I think what we’re going to do next is redo the threads on the flyer shaft so that it can use Kromski whorls. The current threads are a really odd size (no surprise there).
Here is the girl hanging out in the yard with the first two skeins of yarn that we’ve collaborated on.
With her current ratio (approx 5:1), she does a really nice soft spun single.
Anyone know of a woodworker that makes custom bobbins?
In other news, I’ve reworked the Zauberball socks through the heel. I was distracted for a bit trying out a different kind of heel shaping, but in the end, decided to stick with my usual style.
And in honor of the lovely fall weather we’ve been having, I dyed some East Friesian wool and blended it with white alpaca. I’m calling it “Nothin’ but Blue Skies”.
Have a good week!
Here’s a link that might be able to make you some bobbins.
http://antique-spinning-wheels.blogspot.com/
Thanks for the link. I’ll definetely check it out!
I’ll have to look on the Yahoo Spinning list I’m on, because there have been lots of referrals there to people who make bobbins. I think one of them might be just over the hill from me in Amity! Are you coming down for OFFF? If so, you could bring the bobbin and I could take it to him for matching….
Man o man, do I wish I was coming down for OFFF! But I’m afraid it’s not gonna happen this year. Any idea how much custom bobbins might run?
Hi Denise,
Here is the info about him right off the list; give him a call to see what he can do for you!
“Give Ron Antoine a call – he makes bobbins and every other part for any kind
of spinning wheel. He does incredible restorations and he is well known here
in the Northwest. work for museums. He is our resident repair expert at the
Antique Spinning Wheel Showcase we have each year at the Aurora Colony
museum. 2007 was our 25th anniversary of the show. Here is the information
right off of his business card:
Spinning Wheels By Ron Antoine
Designed and Crafted to Your Needs
Traditional And Contemporary
Restoration and Replacement Work
Emphasis on Quality
23205 Franquette Dr. SE
Amity, OR 97101
503-835-5312
503-835-3054 fax
He is a jewel of a human being and is my personal hero! I am a woodworker
and have been making spindles for a couple of years now. I really want to
learn how to do wood turning and Mr.. Antoine was kind enough to spend a
good 30 – 45 minutes on the phone sharing with me wonderful, first – hand
experience and advice on lathe work.”
P.S. Judging by that address he is just up the hill from me out here in the bountry, not even IN Amity!
Lovely to see your wheel – almost the same as mine!! My father was from Croatia, and when we went to visit in 1971, my Auntie Gizela gave us the spinning wheel which her Auntie had given her as a wedding present – that would have been about 1950ish. as it was quite old then I would put it about 80 years old now.I listened to the film and recognised some of the words but not being fluent I can’t say for sure if it was Croatian or Serbian. I recently had a price to repair it but I have decided to “retire”it and use it as a beautiful heirloom ornament. Glad you can use yours – my dad would have been really pleased to see mine working.
Regards
Adela