I have been resisting the call of The Wheel for many, many years. While all my knitty friends were jumping on the spinning bandwagon, I held back, not wanting/needing another hobby/obsession/addiction. I tried to satiate myself with spindles...which didn't work very well as I'm left handed and I couldn't find any lefties to teach me. Then, my favorite LYS, Knitter's Palette, began carrying wheels and fiber, and my built up resistance to spinning slowly began to crumble away. Every knit night, there'd be a crew of gals spinning away...and I'd stand over their shoulders, oohing and aahing, repeating my mantra, "I just can't have another hobby/obsession/addiction right now...I just don't have the time/patience/money to do it...and I certainly won't have the time once I have a baby"!
Then, I slowly started to let myself think that maybe if this baby thing didn't work out, then maybe I would get a wheel. That morphed into "if IVF #2 in August fails, then I'll get a wheel!". Then finally last week I said SCREW IT! I have spent much of my adult life putting off grad school/traveling/spinning/things I really want to do because I thought I'd get pregnant soon. And look where that got me. I could be done with a grad program by now. I could have taken my dream trip to England/Whales/Scotland by now. I could be a really good spinner by now. So, I have said NO MORE to putting of things I want to do because I'm waiting for something else to happen. I need something in my life right now that will get me excited...something that will challenge me, take my mind off the crap in my life, something that I can look forward to.
Yesterday, I ordered my dream spinning wheel. Pam for Knitter's Palette put in a rush order for my new friend, hopefully to be delivered on Thursday, July 2nd. Meet my new toy:
This is an Ashford Kiwi...an "entry level" wheel that won't break my bank (especially considering all the IVF medical bills!), but will provide me with a really good foundation in spinning. To say I'm over-the-moon-excited is an understatement! It will be so fulfilling to have complete creative control over my knitting...from the "ground" up! I'm also really looking forward to getting more involved in the spinning community...what an amazing and supportive bunch of people!
I've already made my first two fiber purchases!
I purchased this at Knitter's Palette...it is 8oz of BFL top from Frabjous Fibers!
And this little slice of heaven is 2.1oz of Milk fiber (for real!) in the color "Porange" from Colorbomb Creations...one of the most spectacular fiber shops I've seen around! Velma has the exact same color taste as me...I expect many Colorbomb fibers will be coming to live with me!
So, now that I have this new hobby/obsession/addiction, I need to make some room for it! I'm doing another big destash on my Ravelry Trade/Sell page...my new fibers need a home on my cubby wall!
SQUEEEEE!!!!
Ungh! I wish I would have know before sending you $$$ for the yarn, I would have tucked in some roving for you to try out. Maybe next order. Can't wait to see what you make. I got my wheel at an auction last summer and love it! Wishing I had a kiwi like yours but I couldn't pass up a good deal when I saw one.
Have fun!
Posted by: Lisa | June 27, 2009 at 09:49 PM
SO JEALOUS! cannot get wheel, cannot get spinning wheel... :)
you know you're totally jinxing yourself now and you totally will have a successful IVF in august.
Posted by: cori w | June 27, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Right on! That's a great attitude to have, I'm really happy you've found yourself in that place. There are always things in life that you want, but it's a lot happier if you don't stop living while you're waiting for them.
Can't wait to see what you spin up!
Posted by: Toni | June 28, 2009 at 12:32 AM
This is a great wheel. It was my first wheel too. I great seller of dyed roving is Allspunup on Etsy. I buy alot from her. Have fun! Its very relaxing and so much you can learn.
Posted by: Keli | June 28, 2009 at 02:42 AM
Awesome! I just started spinning too. I'm borrowing a wheel from a friend for now. Can't wait to read about how you like the Kiwi. I'm keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and hoping things go well in August.
Posted by: Virginia | June 28, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Congrats. And well done for just saying sod it and doing what makes you happy. I bought my Louet last year and really need to use it more because its a million times quicker than spindling :)
I cant wait to see what you create!
(Also, come say hi when you eventually come to England)
Posted by: Anne-Marie | June 28, 2009 at 11:23 AM
LOVE the colors of the fiber you chose. Cannot wait to see what it looks like after you spin it. Awesome!
Posted by: Janet | June 28, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I'm so happy you've done this for yourself!!! You more than deserve it. I can't wait to see what you spin up. Now I know where to send the fiber I won't have a chance to spin any time soon. And I do have to agree with Lisa's comment about jinxing yourself, LOL. Then you'll have two things you want.
Posted by: Denise | June 29, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Congratulations on the new toy. Sure you will be as productive a spinner as knitter. Of course the knitting is going to suffer as you build a new stash.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 02, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Glad that you have this attitude. Good luck with your spinning and I know you will do well.
Posted by: Eileen | July 03, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Excellent choice! I got my Kiwi in august and I'm so glad I did. My kids like to play with the wheel if I leave it out, but it doesn't bother me too much since it's inexpensive. Hopefully you'll have the same problem in the near future ^_^
Posted by: beth | July 14, 2009 at 10:04 PM
How did I not see this before? I think I pee'ed a little seeing my name in print, LOL!
So thrilled that you are liking my fibers & color sense. Wait'll you see the alpaca I've got planned!
Sending you thoughts of tough skin for your injection series. xo, V
Posted by: velmalikevelvet | July 17, 2009 at 07:31 PM