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For those who have been friends with me for a while, you'll note this is spinning wheel #2.  The first one was a Kromski Mazurka from years ago that I loved... bought., brought home, treadled on, and quickly realized that it wasn't right.  It wasn't "My" wheel... so I let it go; sent it off to a friend across the country, and focused my fibery passions on things that didn't need to be spun.

Fast forward a few years, and with becoming more and more interested in spinning, my circle of friends began to bring their wheels around when we would gather to knit or crochet.  I looked on, envious.  I wanted to spin too!  They offered to let me try their wheels, but in my heart, I realized what must be done.  I must buy a wheel.  The time had come.

But wheels are expensive!  After careful consideration, I decided to make a list of the elements that would be important to me when selecting my wheel:

1. It needed to function.  I dont want to spend a bunch of money on a wheel that's flimsy or might not hold up for years...  It needed to "speak" to me...
2. It needed to be flexible.  I wanted a wheel where parts could be ordered/added as needed or wanted...
3. It need to travel.  When I got a wheel, I'd want to be able to bring it to where the other spinners were... That might mean on public transit or on a plane.
4. It needed to be beautiful.  I did love the Mazurka - it was walnut and gorgeous.  But beauty comes in many forms.

So, I started to save.  OK, let's back up a bit and I'll share something with you:  I don't have credit card debt.  That's right, I don't owe a credit card company anything.  (and it feels amazing) - but that didn't happen overnight or easily.  I have worked really REALLY hard to get to this point.  I opened a savings account just for my wheel and when I got money for something that was "free" money (money that was NOT part of my monthly budget) it went into the spinning wheel savings fund.  I pay careful attention to what I buy and record every purchase.  I think hard about what I am spending money for and do my best to consider if I REALLY want/need whatever it is I'm eyeing at the time... this helps me save up!  And, with the publication of my Corydon sweater in Knitter's magazine, I had enough in that account to be serious about my wheel search! 

Then the research.  I checked out wheels at Madrona and Stitches West.  I continued to look and ask questions of others... and at Stitches, in the Purlescence Yarns booth, I fell in LOVE with the Schacht Sidekick!  More time was spent considering if this was the wheel for me... and it was.  It IS functional.  It is a workhorse wheel, sturdy and strong.  It promises to give me years of happy spinning.  It IS flexible.  parts can be ordered and added on as needed.  It WILL travel.  It folds up to a size small enough to carry-on an airplane (or easily put in luggage)... and it IS beautiful.  The design is clever (with the spinning wheel turned like a bicycle wheel)... and most of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it feels.  It fits me and it's MY wheel.

What don't I love? 

The bobbins.  They're plastic and wood.  I think they look cheap and I want them to be all wood.  No Problem-o!  Wood bobbins from Schacht fit the Sidekick and I can use them instead... hooray!

I didn't like the idea that I'd have to check the wheel if I fly - (in a case it'll be a bit too big for a carry-on) -- but after much thought I decided if I'm flying somewhere and taking my wheel, chances are I'm checking a bag anyway... it's not that big of a deal!

Last thing I don't love?  There's no bag.  It comes with a strap (which is nice) - but I want a bag.  I know there are a few out there but I'm waiting... considering my options, just like I did with my wheel... and I'll make my decision, save up for my purchase and buy when the time is right.

With no serious complaints, the decision had been made.

I went last night to Purlescence Yarns in Sunnyvale and worked with the AMAZING staff there.  I wanted to buy my wheel but still tried out others to be sure.  They gave me pointers about posture, seat height, etc. and questioned me thoughtfully.  They are informed about their product, excited for the new spinner, and welcoming EVERY time I walk through the door.  After about an hour of evaluation and chatting, I bought my new baby and brought it home safe to San Francisco. 

It was assembled last night, oiled,  treadled for a good while and then I started to spin on it.  I am looking forward to lots of practice and lessons and pointers from my fiber friends as I learn this new craft.  Purlescence offers a good amount of "practice fiber" and a free lesson with purchase (which is great because I am always looking for an excuse to go visit them!)  If you are considering a wheel, check out the sidekick.  I know it's not the right wheel for everyone - but it is perfect for me and it has found a comfortable home in San Francisco!

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Stitches West 2012 inspired... as all Stitches events before did.  This year, everywhere I turned, we were coming across a designer, yarn manufacturer or publisher and it felt really good to be surrounded by such talents.  I look forward to the next event where we can all get together and share our passions.  Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to put on such an amazing event!

Madrona 2012 is over and what an amazing time!  I arrived on Thursday in Seattle to visit with friends, to see some yarn shops, and to check out the Madrona marketplace.  MUCH smaller than Stiches, Madrona's marketplace offers the best of the best in fiber - from wheels and spindles to yarn, books, fiber, looms and accessories.  We took our time going through the space, visiting with each booth and getting to kow their product offerigs.  We visited with old friends, made a few new ones, and had the luxury of spending a schedule-free day... really taking the opportunity to see what was being offered.  Sadly, I didn't take any photos at the marketplace itself, so I had to rely on Suzanne from Slipped Stitch Studios to send this photo of the group.  One of the first booths we purchased at, they offer lots of great project storage soultions, including the moustache bag that Michael bought!

After spending the day at the marketplace, we got together with some friends for dinner... After all those yarn fumes, it was a much needed meal, that's for sure!  We chatted, laughed, and spent some good "catch up" time and it was fantastic.  However, it WAS a bit rainy and despite the super duper warm and cozy sweater I had on, the obvious lack of a hat and umbrella left me shivering!

Madrona was a wonderful experience.  My only regret?  That I didn't sign up for classes.  Next year.  Next year, I hope to take some classes... my favorite one?  -an all day exploration of natural dyeing with lichens (and mushrooms, I think!)

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I purchased the yarn on a trip to Webs in Northampton, MA and while I liked the yarn coloring, it sticks to itself and is felting as it's worn (it's 75% wool / 25% nylon).  The yarn has since been discontinued, but self-striping yarn is PERFECT for this pattern!  Waves and Piers was fun and easy to knit - To make sure my socks were the same size, I made notes for the number of rounds I knit on the first sock for each section, then as I knit the second sock I just cross off each round as it is completed.  Overall, I'm pleased about the finished object.

And of course... Willow wanted in on the photoshoot action!  Check the other details of this project HERE on my ravelry page.

So... using that little cable swatch, I picked up the stitches along the long side and began to improvise this doggie sweater!  Dewey is an incredibly affectionate Boston Terrier and he loves to sleep in his bed in front of the heater or in a sunbeam on any given day.  He is very gentle, loves the kitties, and finds great excitement in bones or going downstairs to the laundry room or on adventures to the park! 

He does not, for the record, like to "sit" on hardwood floors for an extended period of time.  His hind-end slips and his little legs slide forward and it's just not a good position for a little dog to take.  On especially frigid nights or chilly mornings he likes to wear his sweater and, once he's warmed up enough, he finds joy in showing how good he is at escaping the confines of a sweater!  This project can be found HERE on Ravelry for those who might want to remember it for a later time.