My new wheel

Well, just look at this! This is my new wheel. Its an Elizabeth 30 from Ashford, and it is just so amazing.

I've been saving up for a while now for a new wheel. My other wheel was bought second hand for $50 with bobbins, lazy kate, niddy noddy and a flick carder (quite a good buy really), but like so many spinners, the time comes when you need a really good fast wheel.

Most people in my spinning group have Majacraft wheels, very compact, tiny wheel, double treadle and easily portable, and expensive. But I have always loved the traditional styled wheels from fairy tales and the like....

As I have improved my spinning, I can naturally spin faster, and I have found I'm treadling like crazy on my traditional wheel. 

So after much talking to spinners, research on the web, and gut instinct I went for this beautiful wheel.

Look how big it is! My Traditional is a 24", and the 30" just looks massive. I still haven't got used to it!!!

It is made from native beech wood by the Ashford factory here, and these ones are supposed to be a special edition. I love how blond the wood is right now. I think it will darken with age, just like my other.

Its a double drive, which is new to me, but seems to make so much sense. It can also be used as a single drive too.

And here is what I'm spinning on it...

It is fairly fine corridale at 27 microns. Its is a blend of white, and fawn and light grey, which I think is going to knit up with a tweed look. Here is the first skein. I actually like it when the colors are all blended into a camel color...

I might make myself something this time. Maybe a shawl to just keep the evening chills away. We'll see....

Just had to share!!

 I think I might be a seasoned spinner now I have more than one wheel tee hee!

My old wheel fits in the car really well, so I will use it at spinning group. How I love beautifully crafted items....