Friday 8 February 2008

Timbertops Leicester


Here is my best spinning wheel. It is approaching it's first birthday and I love it more than ever. It is a very special wheel, built by a master craftsman, and with the special features of double treadle and having the flyer on the right hand side.



It is a Timbertops Leicester wheel, made by James Williamson in the last batch of wheels he was making before retirement. After visiting James and Anne Williamson in September 2006 at their home near Leicester, England,I waited anxiously to discover if James was going to be able to find the wood & parts to make one extra wheel in his last batch. 

This is not a tidy room but it is handy having a fibre stash close to the spinning wheel. Here are a few close ups of the stash. here are some bags of wool, the bags are sewn form cotton sheeting and are ideal for storing wool as it can breathe. I attach labels to the bags with safety pins as some types of wool look very similar and can be muddled up.  The next picture shows a bagful of the most beautiful coloured Wensleydale fleece. I bought this from Sandy of Yorkshire Woolybacks after shearing last summer, and enjoyed washing it for myself. I intend to comb this wool and spin worsted yarn for weaving;


3 comments:

Laritza said...

I have a Timbertops too. It is a Chair Wheel that I adore. Last year I was able to contact him and he had the plying flyer and bobbin. Bought those too. That is one fine wheel maker. Too bad he is getting so old.

ra said...

That's a beautiful wheel; impressive stash too!

Peg in South Carolina said...

I am so so envious!