why I SHOULDN’T call Toni right now and order this.
I’m not sure what my problem is – I’ve got the go ahead from G. My birthday is eleven days away. I saw some gorgeous barberpole yesterday and about plotzed. So why don’t you tell me the real reason I’m hesitating. Is it because I’ve never actually tried a Lendrum? But everyone I’ve talked to that has one absolutely LOVES it. No matter how many other wheels they have. I don’t care about aesthetics. Honestly I don’t. It’s affordable. Versatile. A workhorse. From all accounts it will grow with me in all directions.
Is it because I don’t know how to spin? I’m sure I can find someone to teach me, right? RIGHT? I’ve looked up guilds in my area and while there are lots it seems in New Jersey, they’re all just a bit out of reach. I’d totally be into hiring someone to give me private lessons. That’s always an option, right? Tina says Toni could teach me over the phone. I think she was serious.
Is it because I’m not sure I WANT to know how to spin? I know you can’t help me here – but whenever I see those gorgeous explosions of color in some of the best barberpole yarns I’ve seen – I can’t help myself. But other times, not so much.
[ETA because of Val’s comment] – If I want a wheel anytime soon, I’m going to have to buy it site unseen. I tried a couple at Rhinebeck, but I’m impatient and I don’t want to spend A LOT of money (read more than $500) and there really isn’t anywhere close by for me to try a wheel. And all the places that do have wheels? Well, they don’t sell Lendrums. So all of the test drive answers aside – give me OTHER reasons than I haven’t sat in front of one. I KNOW that’s the best way to do it, but it ain’t happening any time soon.
Thanks for the help. Let me know what you think.
Grumperina asked a question the other day regarding who knows about your knitting and your blog and why you’ve chosen to tell about it. First off, I’m an open book. Spend ten minutes with me and you’ll know my life history. There are plenty of people who can attest to this. I think a lot of this has to do with my anxiety. Sort of like, if I’m anxious, I almost feel the need to tell you I’m anxious, because somehow that takes away the anxiety. So you’ve got that aspect of my personality. Also, if I’m excited about something, I find it really hard to keep it to myself. I know you’re all thinking, NO, Really? But it’s true. So pretty much any stranger I meet knows about the knitting ten seconds into the conversation (of course, if I happen to be knitting when I meet them, well, then, it’s faster.) The blog? The blog I might not blurt out in ordinary conversation – but I don’t hide it either. My family and friends all know about it – but I don’t think they really pay attention. No one reads it on a regular basis that I know of – except for my brother-in-law’s friend Bill – hi Bill! And I’m not quite sure what he’s getting out of it, I don’t think he knits, but thanks for reading, Bill!
The blog is quite personal, I guess, but personal to ME. I don’t really give away anything personal about anyone else. I’m sure there’s some stuff G would rather I didn’t say, but then again, he thinks the same thing when we’re riding in an elevator. He’s gotten used to it. He even posed for the blog! (See picture below.)
T Minus 11 Days and Counting
Happy Solstice!
Oooh, am I the first one to comment?
It’s so good to know that there’s another anxious knitter out there. I’m the same way….. Whether I know you or not, I blab about everything. Sometimes I think that the filter between my brain and my mouth is not working anymore. There are somethings sometimes that I regret saying to people.
If you`ve never even sat in fron of a Lendrum, then hold off buying one until you try it out. Sure, Lendrum owners rave about them, but there ARE other wheels out there and who knows? A different one might suit you better. Too big a purchase to base on a nice website pix and other peoples advice. After all, it`s you that`s going to live and spin with this wheel, and a wheel isn`t just for looking pretty in a corner, you know. It`s a partnership.
If you are unsure you want to spin then wait. You don’t want to feel like you must learn to spin because you bought a wheel. I’m having the same thoughts…do I or don’t I. As long as the answer is a resounding ‘yes’, I’m holding off.
Mwwwwaaaaahhhhhh!
As I said in email, why the heck not. In the unlikely event that you don’t like it, you can sell a Lendrum by *whispering* on the Internet that you’re selling one, maybe take a $50 hit on the price you paid. I did that with my ST. BTW, spend the money on the DT and don’t worry about the complete package if you’re making trade-offs to save money. I spin a pretty wide range of stuff and have yet to encounter a situation where I *needed* the extras in the complete package. I generally like ST wheels, but the Lendrum is just more stable as a DT. So there’s my advice.
I’ve been meaning to say this for the last few days. What is Margene thinking when she asked you to take PHOTOS of the box with the newspaper? I mean, with your digital darkroom skills? Please. I’d say you should open it on your birthday, post photos of the contents, and then photoshop in a few newspapers for the next few days just for fun. But then, I’m kinda evil that way. 🙂
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who admits to her anxiety in a first meeting…I can totally relate. My anxiety extends to the social plane, so it kind of lets me of the hook conversationally; I don’t have to worry about stumbling over words or feeling super-awkward. It also seems to put people at ease a bit as if they’re thinking ,”oh, here’s another flawed human being…i can relax.”
About the wheel…I’m afraid to get into another hobby (spinning) that I’ll become obsessive about. I’ve already spent enough on knitting to bankrupt Swaziland.
Have a great day, everyone!
-Wega
I’m convinced that knitting is what keeps anxious knitters from becoming total meltdowns in any given situation. As soon as the anxiety creeps up, you can look down at your hands, remember it’s all just wool anyway, and everything comes back into focus again.
As for spinning, it’s a big step. I actually spun BEFORE I knew how to knit (that’s why I actually ended up learning to knit in the first place, because what was I going to do with all the yarn?). It’s addictive as hell but it does have a learning curve, so there will be lots of of chunky lumpy yarn to start. Spinning on a wheel doesn’t seem (to me, but then again I was taught by a wise crone) like the sort of thing you really need to be “taught” how to do. You waggle your feet, it spins, you feel your tension, then just start feeding in yarn. Tension and drafting are the only parts you really need.
I can’t tell you one way or the other, but if you’re looking to learn how to spin on the cheap, don’t bother with a spindle. The spinning experience (or at least, my own) isn’t even fractionally as good as spinning with even the most wonky off-kilter wheel.
Also, Happy Solstice! Remember that now, no matter how bad it gets, the worst is over!
I’m sure whatever wheel you get you’ll love since you don’t have anything to compare it to! And, If I can teach myself how to spin on the wheel then so can you! I have a Louet s15 that I bought off of Ebay and I love it, although I might be in the market for a second one soon…it really is addictive.
You are waaaayyy too analytical. Get the Lendrum – it was my first wheel and I loved it. I had tried spinning on other wheels but when I got the Lendrum I couldn’t believe how forgiving it was. It’s the perfect wheel to learn! After you’ve perfected your craft, *if* (and you probably won’t) you decide down the road that you want something else, you can trade up,or sell, whatever…Order it aujourd’hui!
Carmen
I think spinning is cool and probably even more meditative and zen-like and relaxing than knitting. I think that someday I’d like to learn how to do it and maybe even have a wheel of my own (heh, or borrow one of Mom’s). I don’t think the time is now. I love those barberpole yarns and have pretty much the same reaction that you do, but do I really want to make them? Will they be as magical? Will I ever knit again?
You will know when it’s time to call and place the order. ; )
Gotta love Georgie. I’m sure he’s rolling his eyes behind that newspaper!!! Crazy knitbloggers!
If you’re not absolutely sure that you want to spin, then do hold off on the purchase. There will always be a wheel to buy when you’re absolutely sure that’s what you want. You can rent wheels, why not try that first?
to spin or not to spin… well i guess i would fear that once i start spinning i would not knit! i felt you on the whole not being able to read lately because all i do is knit, so perhaps this is one reason why you’re hesitating? there are so many things to give your time to so it is a difficult decision.
happy 11 days!
It took a while, but…hello, we haven’t actually *seen* the back of the package.
All I can say is Georgie looks great in that photo!
I’m a blog lurker . . . I just bought my first wheel about a month ago (Kromski Prelude). I had your same thoughts – Do youself a favor and just buy it. It didn’t take too long to learn how to use it. I got out every available book from my library, watched the video that came with it and now I’m spinning! You won’t stop knitting.
I read regularly. I just don’t comment regularly. Oh, the spinning trap…
I would wait to try it out (do you know anyone nearby who has one?) or at least to confirm that you really do want to learn to spin. I don’t yet have a wheel (I’m waiting for MDS&W), but spindle-spinning is also addicting.
I love my Lendrum. I bought it online without trying it out first.
Did I mention I love my Lendrum?
I did the rent-before-you-buy thing with spinning. Even though I was pretty convinced I would buy, it never hurts to live with a wheel for a little bit to be sure, and it is a pretty big investment.
On the advice of Risa, I bought that wheel for myself just last week. It hasn’t arrived yet but I really wanted something more portable than the Ashford Traddy I have. I can’t wait to try it out!
well I went and took a lesson the other day. I really reccomend having someone teach you in person, you will get better much faster. You can find people. I found a lady 45 minutes from a store, and well she was 1.5 from me. So we met in the middle and had a lesson. Took me a few months to get her, and week of phone tag to find a time that worked.
I learned on a Louet. She talked lots of good about the lendrums. I am on the list at the woolery to buy one, and I also have never tried one. Wendy at wendy knits as one and she does her research, I have enough people I trust saying to get one, so I am going to get one.
Wendy at Knit and Tonic is also like you, she’s afraid to learn because she has heard about the people who start to spin and never knit again!
I loved it, I am dreaming of my lendrum. The list I am on means I will PROBABLY get one in Feburary, which is better cause it gives me time to save and think, but I can garuntee you I will get it. I might get anxious and January and try to find one somewhere quicker, hah! Webs just sold out or the Lendrum.
When learning that first half an hour, there was a moment when trying to make the joins that i thought to myself (wow this isnt for me), then i got up, took a break, had her show me again and SNAP it clicked and I was set. Boy did I ever have fun after that! It was tiring! But wow so fun. I hate drop sindles by the way.
I say go for it, life is short, but I am mad everyone is going to get their lendrum’s before me!! I don’t want to seem like a copy cat heh, but in knitting its all about trends isnt it? In particular in yarns…
That’s my wheel, baby. Fire one up.
Now, tell me why I shouldn’t buy a Canon Rebel XT.
I read someplace (on the net, don’t remember where) that said Lendrums went up in price last month. You might want to double check with Toni about the price. Shipping can also be scary.
One other thing, compare the cost of accessories before you buy. That’s one thing I didn’t do and my Louet bobbins are $28!!! Yikes!
My guess is that you’ve already done it. Am I right? ‘Fess up, Cara 🙂
I’ll give you 5 good reasons why you shouldn’t call to order if you give me 5 good reasons why I shouldn’t call Toni and order more STR yarn. I already have severallots in my stash and have no business calling.
I got to try Risa’s Lendrum first (if you can call sitting and treadling “trying” since I was still so new to spinning, every time I tried it with wool, it broke and, well, I ended up just treadling), but really, I don’t have anything bad to say about my Lendrum at all, and I like it more than my Ashford Kiwi, which, however, is a perfectly good wheel and I learned a lot on it. (It is, in fact, looking for a new home. Ahem.) I had a lot of people tell me to try my wheel first, but really, where?? So I took a chance and I love my Lendrum. Five reasons NOT to?? Sorry! Can’t think of one.
you just called me. I had to call you back – and now no answer! did you buy it?!
ps. and you certainly do know someone who lives close enough for you to try it —- me! git yer ass over here.
Just do it! If you over analyze anything you’ll never make a decision. Every wheel has it’s strenths and weaknesses and until you know what you like spinning (which may end up NOT being what you think it will) you won’t know what the perfect wheel for you is anyway. As far as not being sure if you should even start spinning, why the hell not? If you don’t end up continuing with it then someone who reads your blog will gladly take the wheel off your hands.
Well, just from reading the comments, you’ve got some people offering to let you try theirs. And then, is there a spinning guild around your area? A guild member may have one that you can try.
All right, now you’ve got me Googling spinning guilds in my area, just to see if there’s one nearby, just in case I might want to learn. Bad! Bad! I don’t need another hobby!
I’m guessing your hesitation might be that, (like someone else blogged recently – I think Wendy over at Knit & Tonic), that you would be afraid you’d love spinning so much it would take the place of knitting. It sure does look like fun!
Get the lendrum. It’s a very versatile wheel. You can learn on it by yourself – promise. (I did, on a more difficult persnickety wheel, and it wasn’t even that hard.) If you find out you don’t like it, it’ll be easy peasy to resell it. Promise. Pick up the phone and order!
Hey Cara, I bought a Lendrum without trying it and I regret it. It’s a nice wheel but I just don’t have the bliss experience other folks have with it. On the other hand, I love love love my Louet (my first love and the one that got me and keeps me spinning) and plan to get another “prettier” one very soon. It’s very plug and play. If you’re ever in and around Maplewood, come try out the Lendrum. And the Louet, if you like. My house is easy to find: it’s the one with bales of fiber and yarn bursting forth from all points of entry.
BUY THE WHEEL! I ordered a wheel last Christmas without every spinning or seeing one in person. It doesn’t take long to pick it up. For those of you worried about never knitting again if you pick up spinning, don’t. I spun for a few weeks straight in the beginning, then everything started to level out. I knit much more than I spin now, but spin when I really need to relax and just zone out. Go for it, Cara!
Buy it! Fo sho!
And, can you add me to the KAL for Jaywalker please?
Get it. The Woolery or Woodland Woolworks (I forget which one) has free shipping. I spin, and I also weave and knit. Get tired of one, move onto another one. Knitting has the portability advantage, as do spindles. If you’ve been thinking about it for a while now, you want to do it. If you didn’t, you’d have dismissed the idea long ago, or it never would have even crept into your brain as an option. Get a wheel. After a few years, you’ll want another one, so the Lendrum is not the end of the line, just the beginning.
If that box full of STR somehow found itself shipped to me in Boston, well, probably I wouldn’t cry…
Seriously – that box of STR is crazy. And totally covetous-jealous-making. 🙂
Okay – is it your birthday yet so we can see what’s in the box? 😉 At least can you open the box on Dec 31? I mean, by then it will be January 1st somewhere…
Never having spun myself I got in the car last February and drove myself to Toni’s shop (I live 40 minutes away) Which, btw, is to die for… a candyland. I tried several wheels that I was interested in but ended up coming home with the Lendrum and have yet to regret my decision. From every spinner that I have talked to, and Toni, it is a great wheel and easy to learn on. Toni also suggested Hands On Spinning by Lee Raven and it helped me a lot in learning to spin. I wasn’t sure how I would take to spinning either but I found I do love it and only wish I had more time to spin.
Well, lookee here, I’m actually leaving a comment somewhere. I have all of the same issues re: purchasing a wheel. The thing is, if I am really honest with myself I know that I am only doing it because the crowd is doing it. I’m really not so interested in spinning at this time. In the future I know I will be, but for now I think it would be a purchase that will sit there. I’d rather buy yarn to just sit there. I just don’t feel driven to spin right now. Could that be what is holding you back as well?