… that the Spinolution Mach II is the 2nd wheel. I gave my final answer to the DyeGuy this afternoon!
There were, as I said, major second thoughts. After looking at all of the angles, I was down to either that wheel or a Majacraft Rose. Could I have chosen 2 wheels that were more opposite?! That’s the gemini in me! So, thanks to everyone who listened to me go on & on about this dilema…
Let me just do a quick run-down on the Rose. Majacraft caught my interest with their full-page/ full-colour ad in the winter ’09 Spin-Off. Inside of 2 months I was very much smitten with my Wee Peggy, and so naturally the Rose fell to the background. Why then was I test spinning it? Ha! So as to properly assess the Pioneer, which of course makes zero sense! I could accessorize into the production realm, love the true double treadle, the wood & the portability. Not to mention the resale value.
As much as I could love the Rose, it’s not my ideal wheel. That would be a Schacht Matchless or another wheel with double drive capability, and heft. In the end the heftily solid workhorse with everything on 1 flyer at a good price is what I have chosen. With a side resolution to free-form knit it some prettiness.
It’s name? Earl, I think. For a crazy reason that I’ll keep to myself. His specs? To quote the Bellwether:
Height: 32 inches
Width: 24 inches
Depth: 12 inches
Wheel Size: 20 inch diameter, 1.5 in thick
Bobbin: The standard 3 bobbins + 2.
See her blog review for more dimensions.Number of Speeds: 5
Ratio: 1:3, 1:5, 1:10, 1:15, 1:21 (Approximately)Material: Furniture grade Birch Plywood
Yes, I didn’t quote his weight. Earl’s a little touchy about his weight. I think a set of wheels is in his future, actually. To show-off Earl’s latest… this is Fleece Artist BFL roving that I got on Monday:
… inside of my (coughSperry Top-Sider shoeboxcough) bobbin kate. I spun the singles on the 1:15, effortlessly and in no time. It’s my 1st stab at spinning a colourway, and boy did I love it! My idea is to make this into 2-ply yarn, and use this for the lace triangle shawl disaster (frogged on Monday)… between this & candy pink, I’m more likely to wear this as a shawl!
The Wee Peggy is also seeing some action. She’s in charge of the amazing Louet Shetland combed top I got last Christmas:
That’s my 2nd bobbin of singles. I am thinking in terms of a 3-ply yarn but am still thinking how much I can get with the 8 0z. package (i.e. am I getting more?!!).
I also have a new spindle to play with – my friend & serious spinning enabler gave me her unused Turkish spindle by Ray:
I am thrilled but honestly have not yet figured it out. From the website’s pictures it seems that I have a high-worl Turkish, and that I have the arms on upside-down… I’ll be posting a question in the Spindlers Ravelry group for help!