Is there a cherry Matchless in your future?

Cherry Matchless double treadle

This is my spinning wheel. I thought I wanted the Schacht Reeves saxony style wheel but several people told me it was not the type of wheel I was looking for.  What did I want?  Something versatile, attractive, double treadle for sure and that's where my list ended.  I am not a great spinner.  I have only been spinning sporadically for 5 years and, until last year, was more comfortable with a drop spindle than a spinning wheel.

The Schacht Sidekick changed that.  A close friend bought one and let me use it often.  I spun 500 yards of merino yarn on it and I was hooked.  But I wanted something different from what she owned.  So, I continued to read, research and talk to experienced spinners.

Sidekick protable wheel

It was soon obvious that the cherry Matchless was it.  One problem.  Schacht made a limited number of cherry Matchless wheels in June 2009  and it was almost impossible to find a new one. A friend who happens to be a Schacht dealer (Schacht sells it's products through its dealers and you can find one  HERE).  Fortunately, my friend had one cherry Matchless unclaimed and I bought it.

The story doesn't end there.  I love this wheel.  I believe it's name truly describes the wheel, it is matchless.  And now, for a limited time, Schacht is offering its cherry Matchless spinning wheel.  I only have 2 available and you have until April 15th to claim yours with a $750 deposit.  Let's talk about the special features on this amazing wheel.

The Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel offers double drive and bobbin lead (Scotch tension) modes of operation. Wheels come with two flyer whorls (medium and fast); four additional flyer whorls(purchased separately) offer spinning ratios from 4:1 to 22:1. This limited series cherry Matchless will have a special marking (soon to be announced).  This mark will distinguish the cherry Matchless from previous versions.  Also included with each wheel are 4 bobbins, a  threading hook, a cherry Lazy Kate and a carrying strap. 

The 19 1/2" drive wheel and flyer shaft are supported by self-aligning bronze bearings for precise action. Each flyer is individually balanced and the bobbins and flyer whorls are trued on center for long and superior service. The wheels I am offering are double treadle and I have also ordered the stroller for both wheels which makes it very easy to take your wheel with you.  More details on the wheel can be found on the Schacht Spindle Co. website. All Schacht products are manufactured in the US and are shipped from Colorado.

Once I tried the Schacht cherry Matchless, I knew it was the wheel for me.  If you want to give it a spin, contact me at lotsaknots@msn.com and we can arrange a time for you to stop by my studio.  I am available 3 days a week unless there is a class in session.  The studio is located near Washington, DC, about 30 miles from Frederick, MD and 15 miles from Leesburg, VA.  You can try the Matchless, a Sidekick and various looms.

Happy Spring and happy spinning!

Projects, classes and product

Projects
I have a wonderful knitted toy to show off.

This was a fun project to knit and it shows.  The pattern comes from Susan B. Anderson  book Itty Bitty toys  She is one of my favorite designers.  She will be signing her new book, Topsy Turvy, at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (MSWF) on Saturday, May 4th.  

I also finished weaving a lace shawl that didn't photograph as well as the toy.  Here is one photo that shows the flower pattern that appears at regular intervals throughout the entire shawl.  I had lots of problems with weaving this beauty but it was worth it in the end.  I'm not sure if it was the Atwater Bronson lace pattern or the alpaca/silk yarn but the combination of the two made this quite a challenge.

Classes
 I have openings in both my beginning and intermediate weaving classes and in all levels of knitting and crochet.  In addition, I am now teaching spindling.  What's that?  Spinning on a drop spindle.  We'll start with wool and graduate to other fibers from there.

Products
We have several new weaving kits in our Etsy shop along with hand knitted and hand woven items.  Have something special in mind?  Let us create a special scarf, bag, shawl or sweater for you.  We love custom orders.  Contact lotsaknots@msn.com.

Looking for Schacht spinning and weaving products? We have everything you need.  Come sample weaving on Schacht rigid heddle looms, spin on a Matchless spinning wheel and try out the Sidekick portable wheel.  Contact me at lotsaknots@msn.com  or leave a comment to this post.  My studio is located near Washington, DC and convenient to Frederick, MD and Leesburg, VA.  Hope to see you soon!

Classes and more

Many new classes are now available at Lotsaknots Studio.  We have developed a new format and most classes are taught 1:1.  This gives the student the benefit of being able to learn more in a shorter time since there are fewer distractions.  

We have added Rigid Heddle Weaving: Using Pick up to create texture.  This class covers the proper use of one or more pick up sticks to create warp and weft floats or both in your project.  We will work on a sample piece and each student will learn how to incorporate the use of pick up sticks in everyday items such as placemats, table runners and towels.  

Another new class is Weaving Fabric on your rigid heddle loom.  This is a class for the advanced beginner or intermediate student who is interested in learning more about various uses of the fabric you can create with your rigid heddle loom.  We will discuss how to plan a project for the right length to create a vest, top or jacket.  You will need basic sewing skills.

In addition, we have created a new kit which will be appearing soon in our Etsy shop, Lotsaknots.  This kit is designed for use with 2 pick up sticks and can be used to make 2 placemats or a table runner.  It can be purchased with matching warp and weft or with a contrasting weft color.  Here is the finished  product with matching warp and weft:  

In this view you can see  the warp floats.  This is similar to the techniques being taught in the Pick up class mentioned above.  This kit will be priced at $25 for 2 placemats and $40 for 4.  

More new kits will be arriving soon.  All kits are designed to be woven on either a rigid heddle loom or a floor loom.  Each description gives details about the width of the loom and size of heddle or reed required to complete the project.

Happy weaving!!

Where it begins

We celebrated Valentine's Day on Sunday with brunch at a favorite restaurant, Normandie Farm.  It's an old fashioned place.  The type where most everyone gets dressed up and popovers are served shortly after you are seated.  It was delicious.


In our Lotsaknots Etsy shop we sell pre-wound warps and my warping mill makes it easier.  Determined to accomplish something yesterday, I wound two new warps for sale in our shop.  The first is a 2.5 yard striped warp of mercerized cotton that would be nice for towels or a table runner or a reusable bag.  I often photograph the warp on the warping mill because it's easier to see the colors in the stripes.  You can read all the details about the kit here.

The second warp is a 2.5 yard warp of unmercerized variegated cotton in my favorite color, purple.  I failed to photograph it while on the warping mill and it's a bit harder to see the different colors in this fun yarn.  Purple, green and off white combine to make an interesting yarn which I believe will create great towels or a table runner.  More details can be found here.

Brunch was here at Normandie Farm

So, what about a rigid heddle loom?

I received a request this week from a woman looking for beginning weaving classes.  We exchanged a few emails and by the third response it was clear she was only interested in learning on a floor loom.  I gave her the following information:
I teach beginning weaving using rigid heddle looms.  If you would like to rent or purchase a floor loom, I am happy to assist with the loan or purchase.  In reply she wrote "No, I do not want to learn on a rigid heddle loom.  I want to learn on a real loom".

Houndstooth scarf woven on the rh loom

What can I say?  Rigid heddle looms are real looms and if Jane Patrick ,Creative Director of Schacht Spindle Co., can write an entire book about weaving on a rigid heddle loom, what further endorsement do you need. In fact, Jane wrote "This is what I mean about the power of the rigid heddle loom.  It is simple and complicated at the same time." (p. 88 of The Weaver's Idea Book).

There are three words in that statement that stand out, power, simple and complicated.  Those three words describe the rigid heddle loom.  It is a powerful loom because it is both simple and complex.  You can weave simple plain weave or you can design patterns incorporating complex lace structures.  There is so much you can do and so many projects you can make with this very simple, inexpensive tool.

Plus, a new rigid heddle loom is one tenth the cost of the average floor loom!  What better way to learn to weave.

So, back to my insistent emailer.  What to do?  I want to teach and I enjoy working with people who have enthusiasm for weaving.  I don't own a floor loom I can rent or teach on and it's not in my budget at this time to buy one.  I encouraged her to consider the rigid heddle loom and gave her several good reasons why it's a great way to start your weaving exploration.  I don't believe I'll hear back from her.  I hope she finds a teacher who can meet her needs and requirements.  It's a shame she is not open to a different possibility.  Several people I have taught to weave on a rigid heddle loom have purchased and enjoyed weaving on floor looms.  After their experience on a rigid heddle loom, they felt confident about how a loom functions and had the skills to weave on a different loom.  It's a shame so many people discount how versatile a rigid heddle loom is and what an excellent tool it is for a beginning weaver.

I  offer classes on weaving on a rigid heddle loom in my home studio in Poolesville Maryland and online via web conferencing.  Please feel free to contact me if you are interested.  My email address is lotsaknots@msn.com.

I'm back but from where?

Yes, it has been two months and I could spend the entire page explaining why I haven't posted anything.  Here's the flash version of where I've been and what I've done.  We celebrated Christmas, did a whole lot of cooking, sent the last batch of brownies to Afghanistan, ate lots of good food, enjoyed a brief snow fall and spent a week eating and walking in New Orleans. And now it's time to talk about spring.

I am really excited about spring because I am expecting 2 Schacht Matchless Cherry special edition spinning wheels in April.  These are phenomenal spinning wheels!  I can speak from personal experience.  This is a great opportunity to own a fabulous wheel that is a true one of a kind.  The special edition Matchless Cherry wheel will be the only Matchless with a unique design by the manufacturer, Schacht, which will differentiate this wheel from any other Matchless.

I have ordered 2 wheels and with a deposit of $500 it can be yours.  Feel free to contact me at lotsaknots@msn.com or weaveonstudio@me.com for more information and to schedule a time to try spinning on this wheel.   The remaining payment will be $950.  In addition, I have ordered the matching Spinning wheel cart to make it easier to transport your wheel.  The cart is $65 and if you purchase both you will receive the cart for $55.

Here are all the details on the Special Edition Cherry Matchless double treadle spinning wheel:

The Matchless Spinning Wheel is the most responsive spinning wheel available today. With the double treadle you will appreciate this wheels' matchless capabilities. 

Also included with each wheel: 4 bobbins, threading hook, matching cherry Lazy Kate and a carrying strap. 

The Schacht Matchless Spinning Wheel offers double drive, an updated tension system, and bobbin lead modes of operation. Wheels come with two flyer whorls (medium and fast); four additional flyer whorls offer spinning ratios from 4:1 to 22:1. This limited series run will also have a special marking (though what it will be exactly has not yet been announced). 

The 19 1/2" drive wheel and flyer shaft are supported by self-aligning bronze bearings for precise action. Each flyer is individually balanced and the bobbins and flyer whorls are trued on center for long and superior service.

Treat yourself to the only spinning wheel you will ever need or want, the Matchless special edition cherry wheel.  

I'll be back next week with lots of weaving news.

Lotsaknots on Spin Artiste

A few weeks ago, I was interviewed by Arlene Ciroula of Spin Artiste.  She is a very dynamic person who is a weaver and a spinner.  She posts weekly articles about different people in the world of spinning and weaving.  Check out her blog here:  http://www.spinartiste.com/  Her current post is about my life since Weavolution and all the work that comprises our ongoing business endeavor, Lotsaknots.

Here I am with my Lotsaknots partner and best friend, Janet.  

Lotsaknots on Etsy

Lotsaknots website