I shouldn't've, but I did

Lookee what came home with me Tuesday:

It's a Country Craftsman spinning wheel!  I bought it mostly to take to Stone Mountain to spin on, because it looks more like what people thing a "real" spinning wheel should look like.  Here's another view, with another dog*:

I didn't even tell the folks at SnB about it last night.  That's because a few years ago, you could have said "Country Craftsman" to a group of spinners and odds are that some of them would have heard of it.  These days, not so much.  The wheel isn't in production any longer.  I've got some accessories coming from Detta's Spindle, since I figure I better get 'em while I can, since they're few and far between these days.  (BTW, Detta is a lovely person, and I really enjoyed talking with her!  Recommended!)

It's funny -- the first time I saw one of these wheels, I was a pretty new spinner.  I was walking through Perimeter Mall in Atlanta, and *gasp* there was a SPINNING WHEEL in the window of one of the shops!  It was a Country Craftsman, and the shop was one of those shops that sold folksy home decor.  Being the Enthusiastic Beginning Spinner that I was then, naturally I had some fiber with me, so I went in and asked if I could try the wheel.  I had only moderate success with it, since I'd never spun on a double-drive wheel before, and had only the faintest idea how to adjust it.  Of course, I was also sitting in the display window with the wheel, trying to figure out how to spin on it, which may have increased my stress level and fumble-fingered-ness to quite high levels.  :)  Imagine that all these years later, one of these wheels now lives with me.

It spins well (I had better luck adjusting tension this time).  It came with the distaff that's on the wheel, a lazy kate, and 6 bobbins(!).  The lady I bought it from (found via the Spinners and Weavers Housecleaning Pages, btw) had bought it used, and didn't know much of its history.  It looks to me like one of the earlier wheels, because apparently later wheels had 4 oz. bobbins and a scotch tension option.  This one has small bobbins, a little bitty orifice, and no scotch tension.  However, if I decide I want to try scotch tension with this wheel, I'm going to borrow TwoSheep's idea and improvise!  Great fun.

Beth, I can use this wheel to take pictures of how the double-drive set-up works too, so you don't have to depend on my lousy descriptions.  :)

One last picture:  here's the second picture, including part I cropped out above:

*(As you can see, my dog spokesmodel is doing a little better today.)

Comments

[Sandy]

It's beautiful! Congratulations. I think you have some wonderful spokesmodels there. They sit still, mine won't.

We have got to get a spin-in together. Maybe my house? Soon? You, me, Jane, Mouse, Claudia and any other interested parties!

[pixie]

claudia and I want to come to a PHG meeting, but it doesnt say on the website where they are meeting at.

[Beth]

Cool!!! I'd still rather get together IRL you know. :)

[Mouse]

Wow - its gorgeous!!

[Marnie]

Ooh, I can't decide what I like more, doggies or saxony style spinning wheels. Tough call, great eye candy ;)

[Jessica]

I just saw my first Country Craftsman wheel a few weeks ago when someone I knew found one at a garage sale for $15! Needless to say I'm terribly jealous. Hers doesn't have the great distaff though. :)

[Annette]

Are you taking your beautiful new wheel to the Scottish Festival at Stone Mountain? I plan to be there with the 2 piper sons. Are you going to be spining at a clan tent? I wish I could have gone to the retreat, but my younger son was Lizzy the Lizard at Big Spring Jam and I was his transportation.

[Suzanne Deal-Fitzgerald]

I got it! The perfect name for your assistants! They're "SpeaksModels"!

[Vickie]

Enjoyed your blog about the Country Craftsman wheel. I've looked forward to going to the Scottish Games at Stone Mountain with my daughter and grandkids for some time (waiting for youngest to get a bit older) and it looks like I might actually make it in 2008 or 2009. If we travel by car (vs. flying) I'll have my wheel with me. Would be fun to spin with you if you're there.