Oh happy day!

[Marlet]

So I just got back in town and due to a large purchase my DH made went into town today to spend some money. So I called the only place nearby that sells wheels, asked if they had a maintenence kit since I was missing the pieces in one, and got their hours. They run it out of their home so they tend to work with your schedule. Luckily they were there for some time before needing to run an errand. I packed up my wheel (on her suggestion) and off we went!

My wheel now has all the right pieces and has been nicely tuned. I came home with some gorgeous fiber, a lazy kate, and some random accessories (like oil). She showed me how to use it and overall the two (husband and wife) were soooo freakin' nice! The guy showed DH and the kids around (showed them their sheep) and when a neighbor's stray emu showed up in the yard they came in and pulled out the toys. They took my number and are going to call me when they get more bobbins in. They only one had a smaller one for a double treadle (which I don't have). The customer service rocked! My wheel runs perfectly! I have no idea how my mom was able to spin on this thing prior to today.

Off to assemble my lazy kate!

[kundemama]

Sounds like a wonderful day with some great goodies!

[flapjack]

Do stray emus show up often around your way, then??? Sounds like an exotic and exciting lifestyle...

[Marlet]

Apparently they do at their house. He was pretty and very much male. The guy was shooing him away so we could get in the car and he would stare us down, pull his neck back, fluff up his feathers, and start drumming. It was very pretty sounding. He needed some groooming though. He was a bit scruffy looking.

[Marlet]

:

That's all I can say about this. I whipped through one ginormous single since yesterday evening (and had plans to navajo ply it but had issues and little patience) and am already 1/3 through my secnd. I plan on doing a 2-ply and it's looking like I'll be able to ply it tomorrow hopefully. I decided to save myself a bit of grief and wash & wack my singles BEFORE plying this time. I'm hoping that that will save me some yardage and irritation. It's turning out so nice! I cannot wait to finish. I'm spinning some lavender BFL (thanks flapjack!) and will likely end up with two skeins.

I've surprised myself with my learning curve. I have nice and even singles that are the thinness I prefer!

[flapjack]

I would ply a sample before you wack and wash... the chances are that you have a perfect amount of twist in there.
If I can wake myself up a bit, I might get some spinning done today- I haven't been near my wheel in ages

[Marlet]

I washed and whacked both singles and then plied and had so much more of my 1st single that 1. I have 2 skeins now and 2. once my other single ran out I divided the first in half and finished plying that way. I did loose some twist in my plied version when I gave it a quick dunk (it had a tiny bit of extra twist) but I had gotten distracted and not spun it well to begin with. I just cut it out (it was at the end of the skein) when I wound it up. As soon as DH gets back I can take pics. I'm not horribly in love with it but I am pleased with it. It's looks great for my first wheel spun I think.

[ShivayaMama]

Sounds like a great day for spinning!

[Marlet]

Sweet! So after finishing up the lavender BFL (well not all of it just those two singles) I was.....meh. It was ok. So I threw on the merino I bought the other day and went to town I divided the chunks of color up and then divided them into two groups evenly. I wanted even singles! I finished plying it and WOO HOO!!! I love this stuff I had a tiny bit of one single left over but not as much as the lavender I plied it with itself and have enough for a trim. I'm thinking this will be a hat. Not sure yet. I'll be posting pics here soon.

flapjack once again I love you. I decided to go with what you said and didnt wash my singles. I just wound them into a ball, stuck each in a box, and started plying. I have perfectly balanced yarn! I don't have to wash or rinse or whack or anything! I am amazed at the lack of extra twist! This baby is straight!!!