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A few weeks ago, a friend and I drove in the snow to East Franklin,
where we met Susanne Grosjean of Hogbay Pottery and Susanne Grosjean Rugs. Susanne is a master weaver and spins her own yarn. I was able to rent a Louet wheel from her and take a mini spinning lesson. I have taken to this craft, well - and please excuse the cliche - like a duck takes to water. Spinning yarn feels very natural to me, as if my fingers have done this for centuries. Last week, I decided to purchase my own wheel from Susanne (she is an Ashford and Louet authorized dealer). As you know from my previous post, it arrived a couple of days ago at her studio.
A ride was procured, and last night I laid out the pieces of my new, unfinished Ashford Traditional with double treadle kit, and applied two coats of Danish Oil.
After letting the oil soak in overnight, I rose early, gathered all the supplies I needed for assembly and put it together. First, I buffed each piece to remove any excess oil and to enhance the warm glow of the wood.
Then I assembled the mother-of-all. It was a piece of cake! I followed the instructions and before I knew it, it was done!
I rocked! Next, I assembled the frame. Again, the process was smooth - I was so excited. The wheel was taking shape.
Well, cockiness does not go unpunished. I positioned the wheel, knocked the crank in with a hammer and gave it a test spin. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap……… I knocked the crank in too far and the wheel couldn’t complete a full rotation! So I had to try to pull it out again, which was very difficult given that the fit between crank and wheel is extremely snug. Eventually, I got it out part way. The next hurdle was to drive the pin in to secure it. Again the tight fit makes this difficult. But determination is 9/10 of success, right?
Here she is finished in her new home. Doesn’t she look happy? Of course it wasn’t long before she was put to work!
I’ve had to “reacquaint” myself with the basic techniques, since her tensioning system is different from the Louet I was renting. But I’ve already spun and plied some samples (photos to come).
I see us quickly becoming best friends!