Tag Archives: spinning wheels

Spinning wheel review: Schact Sidekick

Posted on July 2, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

After talking to many starry-eyed spinners at the Estes Park Wool Festival, we bought the new Schact spinning wheel model, the Sidekick. Everyone we spoke to loved this wheel, and though I only spun on it for 20 minutes, I … Continue reading →

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Portraiture

Posted on June 25, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Given my generally high, er, “self-esteem” (I look awesome with a tan), it may surprise you to learn that I’m not a huge fan of having my picture plastered all over everything. I mean, who’d want to look at me, … Continue reading →

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Sheep to shawl competition

Posted on June 15, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

One of our favorite events at the Estes Park wool market was the “Sheep to shawl” contest. Teams work together to card, spin and weave a shawl in one day. Although at some shows they actually start with the sheep … Continue reading →

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It’s getting all medieval up in here

Posted on February 14, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Sometimes a yarn just doesn’t want to be spun. I have mentioned before that I’m less than inspired to spin lately. Well, when a friend came over to knit, it seemed like the perfect time to finish the suri alpaca … Continue reading →

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The parts of a spinning wheel…

Posted on January 23, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

…have hilarious names. I couldn’t decide which was funniest, so I decided to share them all with you. Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up. The twist in yarn is originally generated by your foot pressing the treadle. My wheel only … Continue reading →

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Spinning lace weight yarn

Posted on January 11, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

I enjoy the sound of Aunt Geri’s wheel as I spin lace weight yarn, so I thought I’d share it. I’m still working on that bag of Archie’s roving. It’s becoming, one ounce at a time, a strong, light-weight yarn … Continue reading →

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A piece of history

Posted on January 5, 2012 by cliffhousealpacas

Even though it was made by a third generation wheel maker, my spinning wheel is brand new. It was made when I ordered it, for me. Anyone in my family will tell you: I’m not a great share-er. But there’s … Continue reading →

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Random fiber word of the day: spindle

Posted on September 20, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Ever since I started spinning, I’ve wondered “How in the world did Sleeping Beauty prick her finger on a spindle?” Like most spinners, I learned the basics of turning fiber into yarn on a simple device called a drop spindle. In … Continue reading →

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Spinning wheel review: Kromski’s Prelude

Posted on September 2, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

I’ve already waxed poetic on my love for my spinning wheel, but what are the pros and cons of owning the Kromski Prelude? Well, not surprisingly, it depends on who you are as a spinner. I’ve written at length about … Continue reading →

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How-to: Choose your first spinning wheel

Posted on July 20, 2011 by cliffhousealpacas

Choosing my first spinning wheel was more difficult than buying my first car. I know that sounds silly, but by the time I bought a car, I’d been driving for 6 years. I’d only been spinning for 6 months when … Continue reading →

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