Getting to know your wheel.

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 11:05 AM

I'm getting my first wheel, a Majacraft Pioneer, on saturday.  Any recommendations on getting to know my wheel?  Or what I should do before I just start spinnnig on it? 

Thank you!

Natalie

destiknit wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 11:36 AM

First, assemble it yourself.

Next, bask in it's glory, admire your wheel, take pictures from all angles.

Finally, take it for a test drive! - play with it!

Congratulations on your first wheel!  

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 11:41 AM

Thank you so much!!  I won't get to assemble it because the yarn store owner assembled it back when I tested it in the store.  It was donated to her store for her daughter's scholarship fund.  So, I'll have to read the instructions at least I guess. :) And clean it up a bit I think because it's been in her store for a bit...even though it's new.  Then I'll take pictures and peddle away. :)

I can't wait to play with it in the comfort of my own home and spend loads of time with him/her?  Not sure about that one yet.

EllenB@16 wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 12:00 PM

Natalie Martinez Rush:

I'm getting my first wheel, a Majacraft Pioneer, on saturday.  Any recommendations on getting to know my wheel?  Or what I should do before I just start spinnnig on it? 

Thank you!

Natalie

Congrats on  getting a Majacraft wheel.  You will first want to read the instructions about putting the wheel together before putting it together.  Things that are obvious to me when I was setting up my Alpaca wheel may not be obvious for you as a new spinner.  Make sure you follow the directions for lubrication.  There are a number of sealed bearings on the wheel so you will not be oiling them. 

Once your wheel is put together and lubricated practice treadling.  Especially practice treadling slow...yes I'm serious slow.  Make sure you have a chair set up at the right height.  I use a cheap office chair, but I also have a spinning stool that are set at the right height for me.  Once you get the hang of treadling then attach some yarn to the bobbin to form a rather long leader.  2 yards will not only give you more than plenty leader, but will also give you a chance to learn how to adjust the scotch tension on the wheel.  You want the yarn to wind onto the bobbin but not pull hard. 

Do you know how to draft while spinning?  If you don't I would recommend you learn how to first on your spindle before spinning on the wheel. 

Hopefully you have a fiber like corriedale, BFL or romney on hand.  Wool is the easiest for most people to learn with as it is naturally grabby and hangs together much easier than something like tencel or alpaca.

Once you feel confident (or can't stand it a minute longer) overlap your  fiber over several inches of the leader and S L O W L Y start treadling.  Now begins the dance...you are drafting at the same time as your feet are treadling.  Yes your yarn will break, it will drift apart and you will become very familiar with threading the wheel.  Keep at it.  If you get frustrated, toss the dogs a ball or two and go back to it.  Eventually things will go together.  I recommend spinning some on two bobbins and they ply them together.  I spin in what is called the Z direction by turning the wheel to the right, and when I go to ply I then spin my wheel in the opposite direction to produce an S twist.  Don't try and fill your bobbin on the first go, the Majacraft bobbins are pretty large.

If you don't already have a copy, try and get your hands on either Maggie Casey's book Start Spinning or Shannon Okey's Spin To Knit.  I recommend both.

Ellen Bloomfield

PS You might consider looking into Rally Obedience as something to do with your two dogs.  

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 11, 2009 12:14 PM

Thank you so much for this long post!  I have some BFL on hand to use with my wheel.  I have been spinning on a spindle for about 6 months or so.  I made my own and it works great.  I know how to draft and I've practiced different techniques on my spindle even though I have loads more to learn. :)  I think spinning slow will definitely be my challenge at start so I guess starting there with no yarn on the wheel will help. I like the steps you describe. 

I actually have Start Spinning and didn't even think to re-read the parts about the wheel!! Thanks for reminding me.  I've read it before but wasn't really reading the wheel part to closely because I was no where close to getting my wheel...but now I need to go back!

Thank you again for your great reply.

Natalie

PS. Both my dogs have gone through Basic Obedience classes and my golden and I are in our first Advanced Basic Obedience class and hope to start intro to agility soon.  I had not thought about Rally but I'll have to see what other classes we can take. I know Novice is next in the Obedience classes at the place we are going.

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 12, 2009 6:42 AM

Ok...so I went back last night and re-read the parts in Start Spinning by Maggie Casey and OH MY GOSH!  Ok..I feel like I'm ready for my wheel now.  It would be great to have video of what she's talking about and to actually have her here teaching me to use my wheel...but I guess I just have to make due with the words in the book. 

I plan to spend the time to spin my wheel slowly...I'll probably set it up by the tv or in the office and just knit while spinning for a while to get the feel of it.  Then I'll work on attaching the leader.  She had a great way of attaching in the book.  And then I'll work on just adjusting the tension and then attach the wool!  I think with a plan this is going to be fun!

I also watched the recent Knitting Daily about spinning.  Great resource!!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XGkHUuWpvBg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XGkHUuWpvBg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Not sure the code is going to work but we'll see.

Thanks again!  Saturday can't come soon enough!  I can't spend all day saturday playing with my wheel because it's Valentine's day but my DH is golfing on sunday so I'll have all day to play!! :)

KD in FLA wrote

on Feb 12, 2009 9:32 PM

Thanks again!  Saturday can't come soon enough!  I can't spend all day saturday playing with my wheel because it's Valentine's day but my DH is golfing on sunday so I'll have all day to play!! :)

Hey, Gnat!

Congratulations on the wheel (and the wedding, of course).

Do you have an idea what time you'll be in the shop?  I'm *planning* to bring my wheel over around noon or so. It would be great to see you again.

Or do you expect to be there as the door's being unlocked?

Congrats again!

Kathleen

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 13, 2009 4:45 AM

Thank you!  I'd love to see you again too.  Well...My DH isn't one to wake up too early on Saturdays so I doubt I'll be able to get him there at 10am...even though I'm so excited I would be if I can.... so you'll probably be there around the time we get there.

Hope all is well with you!

Gnat

charlie wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 1:11 PM

Natalie

Thanks for sharing the spinning video.  Just what I needed to explain spinning.  I am new, no wheel or drop spindle and needed to know what spinning is all about.  This was great!

Char

Denise Jackson wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 1:15 PM

Remember, your tendency will be to overtwist your fiber. If you do, you're normal.

Put everything on the largest settings. Take it slow and treadle slowly as well.

If you want to win a race, then you'd better just go out and buy yarn.

Cherish the experience. Breathe. Laugh. Smile.

KnittingFairy wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 2:50 PM

So, how's it going with the new wheel?  You picked it up today, right?  Yay!!!

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 3:00 PM

That I did!!  I just posted a blog post about it...you can read that here.  Otherwise, I'll say that I love her!  I practiced treadling, played with the tension, and practiced taking the bobbin off and on.  She's so pretty!  I'm now off to actually spin some fiber.  I have it all set up...just had to post first on my blog with pics. :)

Here's a picture of me practicing treadling.

It's funny how I barely can ever get a picture without a doggie part. :) That's Abby in the back hanging around.  She did have her head in my lap some of the time...but I don't want her to get used to that.

Thanks for asking!  I'm off to spin!  I'll post pictures of my first yarn tonight or tomorrow!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 3:01 PM

Thank you!! I'll keep that in mind...no racing...just calm and breathing! :)

KnittingFairy wrote

on Feb 14, 2009 3:11 PM

It looks lovely, I hope you make many happy yarns together!  And I like the pictures with doggie parts, makes me feel like my house is more normal, lol.

Barknknit wrote

on Feb 16, 2009 1:35 PM

I love the new wheel!  I spun up 2 singles and plied them together this weekend.  Here is a picture of my first yarn!

I have a lot to learn but it was fun!!  I didn't use just one type of drafting and pretty much played around with the fiber and used different ways just to get used to the wheel.  I think it came out nice though.