Spinning Tales

Here are some latest spins from Kerry's hand dyed rovings; perfect for knitting socks :c)

Louet's Newest Wheel - Julia

Louet’s newest arrival, Julia, is now available and it is literally flying off shelves. This wheel was made available at the end of March and had sold out. The second orders are expected in May.

This is Victoria's big sister (bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria). As most of you know, I own and absolutely love my Victoria. Not only is it small in size and practically weightless, it folds up in a flash and comes with an awesome carrying case.

Now, the best way to describe this wheel is a Victoria version of the S51DT. Bobbins, flyer and the Scotch tension are the same as on the Victoria. There are four ratios: from 6:1 up to 19:1. An optional high speed set, which is also the same set as the Victoria uses, provides an extra 27:1 ratio and make it easier to treadle the 19:1 on the Julia. A removable insert provides two orifice sizes (12mm and 8mm). All rotating parts run on ball bearings for smooth operation, while the unit itself is constructed out of beech and birch plywood, smoothly lacquered.

The optional stand-alone Lazy Kate comes with an adjustable brake for the three bobbins it holds. 
As an introductory special, the Julia is being delivered with a FREE stand-alone Lazy Kate, and 1 additional bobbin (for a total of four). Wheels are made of laminated hardwood with a "birch" exterior finish.

This offer will be available until May, 2008, or while supplies last.

The base with treadles can be easily disassembled from the upright with the main wheel (unit does not fold) for easy transportation.

If you are interested in obtaining this gem, please don't hesitate to contact me at julie.verge@cogeco.ca.

The Great Felting Experiment (from fibers)

I recently purchased beautiful Border Leicester fleece and thought I would try experimenting with felting from fibers. The objective was to create a mat of some sort. Just to be different, I thought I would try to make a circular shaped one. Here's how I did it.


A bamboo blind would have been better for fulling the fiber but since I didn't have one on hand, I used an old sheet of bubble wrap I had kept from our last move. I began by placing a layer of raw fleece haphazardly onto the bubble wrap - removing all vegetation from the fleece.


Then, I placed about 3 layers of combed fiber (border leicester) on top of the raw fleece over lapping each sections of combed fleece. Once completed, I sprayed with hot hot water and soap (I used Dawn dish soap) in preparation for fulling.

Rolling such a large piece proved easier than I had thought. As you can tell from the (third) picture, I should of placed additional raw fleece on the edge of the mat. The combed fleece flattened out like pizza dough which spread across the edge of the raw fleece. Not to worry, I added raw fleece to the edges on my second roll :c)

Finally, the finished experiment...