Four Wheel Drive
When I started spinning I did so on an old Ashford Traditional I had inherited from my grandmother. It is a 1960s model and showing its age. It works fine enough but is clunky and scotch tension only (which on the Ashfords is a fiddly system requiring constant adjustment in my experience).
As I became a more confident spinner I wanted a better wheel and bought an ex display model Ashford Traditional. This was a big step up from my old wheel and gave me the option of double-drive or scotch tension systems. The old Ashford went on top of a wardrobe and didn’t come down. The newer Ashford has had a good workout but it’s a pain to throw in the car, tends to walk across the room as I spin and doesn’t seem very solid.
I joined the local Spinners and Weavers Guild at the end of last year and I’ve been able to see and try a number of other wheels since then. So, it happened that I bought a third wheel, and then a fourth. Now I don’t think it very fair to say I have four wheels since the original Ashford is not in use at all (in fact it came off the wardrobe and isn’t even in my house anymore but I do still technically own it). The latest two wheels are likely to replace the newer Ashford so I think we can just say I have two wheels, that seems fair doesn’t it? I wouldn’t want to sound greedy.
The new wheels are a Rappard Wee Peggy:
and a picardy Wing:
The Wee Peggy I got locally and is missing the scotch tension knob (no hassles for me since I’m running it double drive) and there should be an upright beside the bobbin holder (you can see the hole it sits in). Neither of the missing pieces affects its performance one bit and I’m enjoying it a lot.
The Wing I had to drive to Christchurch for but I used the journey as an excuse to check out the William Morris exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery (amazing items, I am completely obsessed with Morris’ reds now).
This weekend we are in Wanaka for Warbirds. More accurately Mr K is here for Warbirds, I’m here for the view and some relaxation. I wanted to bring both new wheels but Mr K said no, so I only brought the Wee Peggy (since the Wing needs new hooks and I hadn’t any to hand). I’d like to show you lots of lovely photos of Peggy with the lake beyond but Mr K has also commandered the camera for the weekend - if you’d like to see 240 odd shots of planes then I can help but as for the view from our accommodation I can only provide this (which was a test shot first evening we arrived) at present:
Still, it’s very nice (take my word for it) and I’ve spun and knitted (and shopped but that’s a given for any holiday yes?).
The local wool supply isn’t fantastic, a lot more Touch Yarn than you’ll see in a Dunedin shop but otherwise it’s mostly the usual Patons, Sirdar and the like. The Touch stuff is not quite as expensive as in Dunedin but you are still better off dropping by Alexander on the way home and buying it direct.
Ta, ta for now, I’ve got one night left in Wanaka and I’m off to enjoy the sun (with my knitting in hand).
March 24th, 2008 at 8:54 am
With petrol prices the way they are and the damage 4WD’s do off road, this sounds the safest 4WD option yet. Were you able to resist the touch yarn yarns? Don’t the wheels look amazing?