How the heck are you supposed to choose?!? Shopping for a wheel is not like buying a sofa. There's no "Spinning Wheel Super Saver Outlet" (would that there was one) where you go into the giant showroom and park your bum on the benches of twenty different spinning wheels and decide which one fits you best.
For example....let's try out this "Ikea" wheel made of PVC and a wheelchair wheel.
Or do you say "Damn the mortgage!" and shop "Ethan Allen" for this little work of art, the Kromski Polonaise.
I suppose I could go "Pier One" and buy a Nepalese charkha like this one.
(Did I mention my boss is going to Nepal on vacation this coming October? Believe it or not, this charkha only weighs around 8 lbs. Our conversation (me begging) will go like this, "Pick one of my children to keep - - either one - - just bring me back one of these." In all honesty, she'd probably buy the wheel for me and insist I keep the kids a la The Ransom of Red Chief).
In all seriousness, how you know which one to select? Louet? Ashford? Bayley? Kromski? Schacht? and many other notable names. This is making me nutty and I'm starting to look like this....
13 comments:
You are SO funny...thank you, I needed that little gut busting laugh.
I don't know what to tell you, I'm hoping to be 'in the market' at some point but won't be for a while yet...but I 'like' the Ashford Traditional's 'looks'.. did that make sense? (the simple lines) But doesn't Linda's husband make wheels? He made hers...just a thought there...I'd bet Linda would maybe let you play with her wheel, see how it feels, eh?
I love that picture...looks very familiar...oh yeah, I think I saw her in the bathroom this morning, she was looking at me while I was brushing my teeth..she was brushing her teeth too....hmmmm.
I don't understand how she could have been in Marianne's bathroom this morning because I could have sworn I saw her in my bathroom mirror!
I really want a wheel, too. I'm not yet ready to buy, but you go right ahead and do all the research and report back here on the blog. Then when I'm ready to buy, I can just look here for my answers :)
When all comes down to being said and done, Julie, the decision might rest on which company takes layaways. LOL (And I did find an Ashford vendor that does).
I know what you mean!!! I really want a wheel, but will have to covet in the meantime as both funds and space are scarce. I've been drooling over the Kromski Minstrel, but I haven't actually tried it, so I'm not sure if I'll like it or not. Actually, when I have some time, I'd like to take a wheel-spinning class at my local fibre-arts school. That way I can try several wheels at once and see what I prefer. I don't know if you have taken a class, or if you'd thought about it, but it might be the closest thing to "Spinning Wheel Ikea!"
ps.- I replied to your comment on my blog. I don't know if it gets emailed to you or not, but if it doesn't you can go check it. It's right after your comment!
Hi Dana - Marianne sent me. It seems to me there's probably some fiber festival in your neck of the woods. I've heard they really do have a line up of wheels and you can sit your bum down and test drive them one after the other. Of course, I've never been, but I've heard tell.
I know that the Yarn Pirate uses the Ikea wheel and she turns out some beautiful handspun. I bet you could go to her blog and get the 'contact me' info and just send her an email.
I have an old (o.l.d.)Ashford that I like just fine, having nothing to compare it to, and while Marianne likes the simple lines, it's always struck me as a little too early American for my tastes. Like maybe you'd find it in someone's cabin as an accessory. But it spins just great for this beginner.
Go to Dave Daniels Cabin Cove blog and ask him. He just did a big research project before he bought his...Journey?...I don't know - he just got it last month is raving about it. That one's a traveling wheel, though - kinda looks like a box - really. He also has a Kromski and likes it a lot. Seems to me, though, that you have to try them out to find the one that feels the best to you. Doesn't that just suck? I couldn't tell if you had a shop you're working with or could go to to test-drive any of them...
No real help here, but plenty of suggestions!
Dana!! I can help you!! email me a dixygirl AT cox DOT net There is a local(ish) guy who sells a couple different types of wheels and he is SO nice and I'll let you play with my Ashford if you'd like to see how that feels to you...
Although I must admit having a friend who is selling her wheel is a great way to "decide" LOL
Take a road trip to Blacksburg (actually Newport) and visit with David Simpson (www.cyberfyber.com) for some one on one spinning help! He is a Kromski dealer and has all the "fibery goodness" I talk about!
Wow Dana..you're ready!!..And you've gotten some great ideas..Wish I were more flexible at the moment for 'road trips'..Let me Thank you again right here in front of this audience for going to visit my Mom today..that was undoubtedly just the nicest single gesture made in regards to her welfare..and I know she enjoyed it..even though she may have wondered who the heck you were..lmso!!Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the time in your busy schedule for both you and Andie to go by...that was just totally wonderful..Love you both! Happy Hunting for the wheel..I'll keep my eyes open for the auctions also..Hugs
Dudes....I just gotta say...when I'm ready for the big leap for a wheel...I know who all to call on!
You all really are just the very best!!! can you feel my love?
Thank all of you so much for the referrals and info! It's such a big help and I am soooo grateful!
It looks like we are all giving you the same advice. Go to cyberfyber.com and check with David Simpson. Love, love, love him. catie
I agree with gretch. If you can wait long enough to go to the fall fiber fest in Montpelier, that is the place to test drive all sorts of wheels to see which ones you like. If you choose Louet, call me before you get one. I can help you out there. Should I schedule another spinning workshop? And Jim (Linda's sweet hubby) does a beautiful job.
Dana I look like that all the time ! I wish I knew something about spinning wheels but I can't help. Good luck with your decision .
Post a Comment