In 2013 I heard about spinning in a modern setting for the first time. I was watching The Knit Girllls' podcast (you should really check them out if you enjoy knitting, spinning or general nerdiness), and that's where I first discovered that this wasn't just a craft of the past. I started checking out norwegian websites and soon found that there was quite the community here as well. Being the nerdy crafter I am, and on the quest to expand my hobby, I set out to learn this. I signed up for a beginner's course at Spinnvilt and my mind was blown. An entirely new world opened up to me, and it was wonderful! It was filled with a whole new understanding of how clothes are made, and just to top it; the community is amazing! I've yet to meet a surly, crabby person. Even when it comes to different opinions on how things should be done, there's no quarreling. For a conflict-shy person like myself that is awfully refreshing.
It didn't take long after that first course before I bought my first spinning wheel (I say first, because there will be more wheels in my future. This hobby has now become a lifestyle.)
It took me a good bit of contemplating, but I ordered the Louet S11 Julia from Spinnvilt, and I've never looked back. It's got double treadle and it's made in birch. It feels sturdy and safe to knit on. The only thing I'm missing is the ability to spin more yardage on it! I can fit 100g/4.oz on it, but I often want to spin more than that in one go. I feel like a new wheel might come my way in the future, not to replace Julia, but to join the family.
Before I got the spinning wheel I bought a spindle to try this out, and to see if I liked spinning enough to spend money on a wheel (because they're not cheap, but definitely worth it). I enjoy the simplicity of spindles, but I'll tell you about that in a later post.
