I don’t know what to do. I’m hoping to buy a spinning wheel for myself for my birthday in just under a month, and I’m overwhelmed by the options. I was leaning towards the Kromskis because they’re economical, pretty, and spin really nice. But they’re clackity. I think that’d bug me. There are things I could try to do to minimize the clack, and if it works, it’d be great.
However, I think I would really enjoy spinning on something more along the lines of a “precision” instrument. So the majacrafts (rose and suzie pro) hold some appeal. The Schacht Matchless also. And the Lendrum saxony of course.
BUT, I don’t particularly like the look of the majacrafts. At least not as my home wheel. And the Schacht is a honking, heavy beastie. Plus, I think I’d like a saxony style wheel to spin on at the house, and something more portable to take to Madrona in the future, and Village Yarn and Tea every month for the spinning group, plus the guild meeting, plus anywhere else I might take it, if it were easily portable.
Which would lead me back to the Kromskis, but I’m much more drawn to the soft whirr of a wheel and flyer over the
clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety, clackety
of a rattling bobbin.
But, if a little circle of felt would help……
So I go in circles. Over, and over, and over again. It’s making me crazy, to say nothing of what poor Nate is going through when I ask him what I should do, and he makes a suggestion, and I argue it, so he makes another suggestion, and I argue that, and he gives up in exasperation.
All the while, my birthday gets closer. There’s nowhere I can go to try them all out side by side. I don’t even know where I could try a Suzie Pro at all.
I’d be perfectly happy with my Clemes if someone could make me another whorl or two and compatible set of bobbins to give a faster ratio. Then I’d just get me a pretty saxony for the house, and it’d be ok. Grumble, grumble, grumble.
On the plus side, I think I’m getting a new spinning wheel in the near future! Isn’t that exciting? No clue what it’s going to be, but I’m excited!
April 25th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Back when I was looking into buying the Clemes wheel, someone suggested I call the folks at Woolie Winder and see if they still had one left for the Clemes or if they’d make another. The did carry them while the Clemes wheel was still being produced, I believe. http://www.thewooleewinder.com/
Amy
April 25th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I completely understand. I am going through the same dilemma. It is such a big investment and it has to fit your taste and spinning style. I’ve narrowed mine down to Majacraft Suzie Pro, but I love the Rose. However, I have to wait till next year, but the prices go up in June. Yikes! I wish you luck with your decision
April 25th, 2007 at 12:12 pm
That sounds alot like me trying to decide on a new sewing machine! I have to go to several stores to see different brands, and the brochures that they give out are just too vague to help make a decision. I’ve been doing this for months! I don’t even spin, but I am thinking about going to an estate sale since they have a spinning wheel listed. You just don’t see that very often at all, and I have little idea of what to look for! But I want a look-see!
April 25th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
All I can say is I’m jealous :o)