With this page we hope to tell you some of the things we are doing and what some of customers tell us. I've been going to add to this page for a long time but have been too busy building spinning wheels. Recently I have received some testimonials that really make you feel good and also proud of what you have accomplished. I'll leave off the names which will be on file if someone wants to contact them.

Note:  If picture has a blue frame around it click on the picture for a larger picture

April 29, 2008

New system for motor control for spinning and plying with the NW Electronic Spinner

 

This is the NW Electronic Spinner set up for spinning	The motor will pivot all the away around for plying in next picture.	This is set up for plying	Note:  Motor is out of the way for plying

April 28, 2008

New for those who want a Electronic Hand Controller  This will enable you to spin by just using your hands.  Easily adjusted for speed

April 23, 2008  --  New design developed for Pedal Pusher.  Has a new support added to maiden.

January 3, 2007

Babe's newest product.

Babe's Spinnrock with a Woolee Winder.

Hello, Nels
I hope you've already received my check. Your package arrived yesterday on the afternoon  

and I'm very happy I can spin again. My husband changed the broken piece immediately so

 I've started spinning at once.
You can see me spinning again on the photo I'm sending and if you wish and think it's 

good enough you can always use if for advertising. I've been made quite a large publicity

 on my spinning wheel and on your kindness on solving my problem so soon. So lots of my 

friends, mainly knitters I'm afraid, already know you and the Babe too.
All the best to you, my friend
 
Ana Paula   Note:  Ana Paula is from Portugal.

October 18, 2005

Nels,

I wanted to say thanks for the exceptionally prompt service - ordered my 

Production wheel over the weekend, wheel in hand by Thursday!! 

It was really awesome. I also wanted to let you know that this is my very

 first wheel - and I'd never spun before. I think I have a ways to go in

 making my yarn more even but so far, I think I might be doing all right

 for someone who's never spun, never had lessons and never even seen 

someone actually spinning! And I'm having a great time with it. I've 

enclosed pictures of my first couple of skeins - the red was done second.

 (Comments & tips are welcome) As you can see, I had some wool on hand 

already from a local shop - I'm trying the wool you sent next :-).

(See attached file: S5300097.JPG)(See attached file: S5300107.JPG)


Thanks for making it so easy.

Lara

 

Ply-split weaving covers a whole bunch of things.  For rugs, I am using a very heavy 2 ply.  For some sculptures, I use 3.  I can get both  patterns out of it and pull it up for roundness.   For the usual camel harnesses and rugs for the camels, a 4-ply solid color or a 4-ply 2 color cord can be used.  If you are really interested your library might have a book by  Peter Collingwood entitled "The Techniques of Ply-split braiding:  written in 1998- expensive but great pictures even the the patterns are difficult. 
To see what others are doing with this try www.weavershand.com and go thru the pictures.  everyone is doing something different.  If you want to try it use www.lindahendrickson.com

To purchase go to:  Price list and contents and scroll to Babe's Yardage Measurer.

Square Wheel Technology

February 10, 2005

Two Yard Skein Winder with counter on a optional portable stand, optional motor and electronic foot controller	Rear View of Two Yard Skein Winder on the left

A few years ago while watching a lady put up many skeins of hemp for weaving at the Midwest Fiber Conference I thought there has to be an easier way. When I got home I took one of my skein winders for the Babe Spinning Wheel and adapted it by putting a wheel between the shaft and skein winder. With this mounted on the wheel and a drive band over both wheels the treadle powered skein winder was born.

The next to be developed was a walking wheel by putting longer spokes on one of the wheel chair wheels, then cutting polyethylene tubing in half which created the rim to go around the spokes. This lead to taking this rim material and using it for the skein winder by putting dowels in the arms and mounting the rim to them. One day I thought what if I left the dowels out and used cup hooks in their place.

I had started using an electric motor to run the electric spinners and skein winders. The question was do I really need a rim for the drive band. I took a skein winder and put cup hooks eight inches from the center on the arms, bent the hooks so they would catch the drive band and surprisingly it worked amazingly great. Square Wheel Technology was born.

---

January 28, 2005

News Release

Contact: Nels Wiberg Phone 800-628-3208

Babe's HH Electric Spinner is ready to have fun traveling the World

Pictured is a Babe's HH Electric Spinner with Bobbin Lead Flyer Woolee Winder, Electronic Foot Controller, Speed Controller, a Carry Bag, 90Watt Power Inverter and Grounded Step-Down Converter. This will enables you to travel all over the world and take your spinning with you. Use the Step-Down Converter to spin where you have 220/224V AC as this will give you the 110 volts you need for the electric motor. When traveling in a car with a 12 volt battery use the power inverter to run the Spinner. These can be used along with any of the Electric Spinners.

We also have available the 220 Volt motor and Foot Controller for those who prefer this setup

---

News Release: January 24, 2005

Contact: Nels Wiberg

Babe’s Fiber Garden, LLC is growing. On October 4, 2004 we moved into town at 884 S. Janesville Street, Suite A, Whitewater, Wisconsin. Babe is calling this establishment The Grindstone. The Grindstone has 1900 square feet, enough room for a display area, a warehouse, and best of all a place for design and development of many new items to come. You all are invited to come and visit, just be sure to call ahead or e-mail Nels that you are coming as he does not have open hours posted.

We have many new products to tell you about. We now have the Woolee Winder available for Babe’s Fiber Starter and Production wheel either as a complete wheel or as a conversion kit for those who have a Babe. We also have the Woolee Winder available for the HH Electric Spinner either as Flyer Lead or Bobbin Lead. The Woolee Winder brings the level wind technology to Babe Fiber Garden Products.

Babe Fiber Garden, LLC has been expanding the "Square Wheel" technology allowing the use of a electric motor with many of his products such as the 2 yard skein winder with counter and an adjustable size skein winder with sizes of 50", 60", 2 yards, and even 3 yards. These can work on a Babe or free standing with the use of a portable stand. We also have a heavy duty skein winder/blocker that will hold 2 to 4 pounds of fiber, a 48" yarn blocker that will hold 4 to 8 skeins and a 2 yard yarn blocker kit. All these can be driven by motor to take the hard work out of blocking and skeining using the square wheel technology. If you have something special you would like made give us a try.

Babe's Fiber Garden, LLC New Home the Grindstone

January 14, 2005

Have more fun with silk by learning about silk.  Michael Cook is really having fun raising silk worms so I invite to visit his Website to see the fun he is having.  Click on Silk Worms

October 13, 2004

The Woolee Winder by Nathan Lee is now in stock.  Watch for a picture and prices.  Will fit any of the Babe spinning wheels with 1-1/4" Pipe.  I'm moving the work shop out of the home and into a new shop in Whitewater this week and as soon as I get set up we will get a web page setup with pictures and prices. 

October 13, 2004

New July 28, 2004

Babe Spins While Traveling in the Car with the Help of a Coleman Powermate 75 Watt Power Inverter

This is a new option for the electric spinners.  What you see on the bobbin is the yarn I spun on the way to swimming and back.  Work just fine.

May 19, 2004 the New Bulky Electric Wonder Tension Spinner

This has motor on the right side for spinning.

This is in construction as I want to try a larger whorl.  The first whorl I tried was the same as the HH wonder tension and that was so fast I could not keep up with it.  The red one in the picture worked fine and I was able to spin a consistent bulky yarn and also a lace weight yarn.  Again wonder tension amazed me after a couple different tries it became a wonder that it works great. Had no problem putting two pounds of wool on the bobbin and still have room left over.  I hope to have it available in a couple of weeks.  If all things work as I expect you could use this spinner as a Bobbin Lead and well as a Wonder Tension flyer driven.  As far as I known this is the one and only bulky electronic spinner that you can use as Bobbin Lead or flyer driven Wonder Tension. 

If interested send me an e-mail and I'll let you be the first to know price and availability mailto:inventor@babesfibergarden.com

More Pictures

This is with motor on left for plying	This is the Wonder Tension	This is the Wonder Tension set up as Bobbin Lead	Nels with his latest invention the Bulky One and Only

See the first BIG RIVER SPINNER in action.

Thanks again,
+-----
Shawn Hoefer & Jeanette Larson
Common Threads at the Laffing Horse Farm
20218 State Highway 10
La Junta, CO 81050
719-254-3837
http://www.laffing-horse.com
+-----

May 2, 2004

Babe has another new product to have fun with spinning yarn and it is named BIG RIVER SPINNER.

Linnea says it is mine you can not have it.         

March 24, 2004,  Relaxing in a easy recliner with a Easy Wheel taking in the noon soaps on TV having fun testing a new prototype.

I bought a NW Flyer Electric Spinner a few months ago and I'm enjoying using it.  The thing seems so simple that when I look at it I marvel at what a good job it does.  Now if I can just get my speed up to a level where I can take advantage of that 7000 RPM!   That is hard to do and do a good job. 

I need the extra information for my class research paper.  I am preparing a paper on the NW Flyer Electric Spinner for my spinning class.  I will be going to Halliburton, Ontario on Aug 16 to attend the second year of the Ontario Hand Spinners and Weavers Spinning Course.  It is a 6 week long course (1 week each year for 6 years) on everything you ever wanted to know about spinning.   It sounds like a lot of fun. 

One of our assignments this year is to choose a specific wheel and write a paper on its history, how it works, advantages disadvantages, etc.  Then we will all bring the wheels and have a chance to try them all.  (There are about 30 of us in the class.)   You realize the NW Flyer Electric Spinner is not a wheel. 

1. What gave you the idea to create an electric spinner?   At a show where there was a gentleman selling some he had made for $600.00. 

2. What wheels would you call the "ancestors" of your electric spinner?  The hand spindle or more recently an article in Spin-Off Magazine on how to make your own electric wheel. 

3. What were the biggest challenges in designing the new spinner?  Finding a motor at the right price.   How did you solve them?  Research at local sewing stores and on the internet. 

4.  Has the electric spinner inspired any other inventions?  [I saw in the website that there is a model with scotch tension - are there other updates?]   Yes, I have a scotch tension only I call it wonder tension.  I also have a Bulky Spinner whose bobbins hold two pounds of wool. I think I also came out with the HH Deluxe that has an electronic foot controller that does not get hot.  It is made so it is easier to ply with.  If you go to the price page on the website you can see the ones I have. 

5.  As you point out in the information sheet, the spinner does not have scotch tension, nor does it require the leather "brake" to wind the yarn on.  Is this design unique, or are there other wheels that work this way that you know of?   I can not think of any other wheels that drive on the bobbin. 

6. It seems that I can control the amount of "pull in" by tighting or loosing the leather break, to a point.  But I'm finding it difficult to spin a very fine yarn because the draw in is pretty strong even with the brake completely off.  Is this a common observation [may be my limited skill at this point]?   You control how fine you what by know the length of the fiber and controlling how much fiber you draft out.  I can spin lace weight on the bulky, and as one lady tells me it is all in the one who is doing the spinning.  It has to do with how far you keep the twist from the fiber.  The farther you get out from the roving with the twist the finer it will be. 

7. There is a gray steel ring on the flyer shaft next to the brake.   What is its function?  Is it for weight to slow the flyer?   The only purpose for the steel collar is to hold the flyer in place.  That flyer has now been replaced with a nice wood flyer.  Some of the pictures on the website now show it. 

8.  When spinning (rather than plying) the motor seems to rest on the PVC bar at the base, i.e. there is no need to use the Velcro to hold it down.  Is this normal?  Is the belt too loose?   You only need to hold down the motor when plying so the clips on the dowel do not hit the motor mount fitting.  If the belt gets to loose and slips let me know and I'll send you a new one.  Always take the belt off when not spinning. 

9    Where/how can I get replacement belts when needed?   Drive bands sell for $4.50 and $.75 for shipping. 

10.  At higher speeds, I’m getting some wobble, but just sometimes.  Can you suggest what would cause this? 

Good luck on your paper and I hope you get an A.  Have fun spinning yarn. 

Anna  

June 22, 2003 I just finished make a purse, felting it and put leather handles on it.  Made for Greta's design and some of mine.  Looks pretty good if I do say so my self.

It was make on the Joy 3 in plywood 44 pegs using the new Joy Knitting Hook.  Greta says the next hat I need to use 2 Strands of Brown Sheep Nature Spun so it will come out a little wider

Have fun knitting without needles.

Skein Winder new products.

For the HH Deluxe Spinner I included a Lazy Kate with a Skein winder that has a counter.

Lazy Kate Skein Winder with Counter sells for $64.95 plus $8.00 for shipping

To see all the HH products go to: HHdeluxe.htm

We also have a 2 yard Bulk Skein Winder that can be use as treadle power SW or with the portable stand it can be used as a table model electric powered SW or a stand up powered SW

Prices:  1. Two yard skein winder with counter $79.

Motor Power Kit.  $79.00

Portable Stand $24.95

For other non power SW see price list at price.htm

March 21, 2003

It was suggested by L. G. (name on file) that I come up with a Electric Spinner that had Scotch Tension.  As of February 16, 2003 we now have one.

Spinning                Plying

Another new idea from a customer who wanted to spin with a spindle and a Babe's Production Spinning Machine.

All you have to do is insert the spindle and attach a collar to hold it in place and you can spin off the spindle.  The spindle in the picture has a protection tube on it for safety reasons.  You have fun doing the long draw with this spindle.

New February 4, 2003

We have another new product which you can use as 2 yard yarnblocker and a 24 yard warping reel.  If you are interested please e-mail me mailto:inventor@babesfibergarden.com

Some new items. Can you guess what they are?

Babe packs the car to go to the Fiber Thing May 18, 2002 to teach how to spin on a Babe. Ten wheels and room left for more.

Now that Babe is a Sailor he needs a duffel bag. No sooner said and done by Elaine Almquist a/k/a the Bag Lady. Just arrived May 13, 2002. Now Babe is set to sling the bag over his shoulder and travel the world. Has lots of pockets to keep everything needed to have fun spinning.

At The wonderful 2002 Maryland Sheep and Wool show a lady asked

Thank you, I got my wheel today! I have sold off my wooden wheels because we know live between our motorhome and sailboat. I was afraid the moisture and moving around would harm the wood, plus I needed a wheel that I could take apart to save on room and weight. This is great. We went for a sunset sail last night here are a couple of photos, your wheel fits right in with our little family. After much sniffing Sheba put her approval on our new addition so that makes it unanimous. Thank you for a great product, Denise Maki, Calabash, NC

I have been telling people that Babe could go almost anywhere and even on boat and now we have proof that Babe is a Sailor.

Dear Mr. Wiberg:

Two weeks ago I ordered a Babe Liten Spindel from The Woolery. It arrived last evening.

I just want to say how delighted I am. It's simple to assemble, and light as a feather. It is also the best little spindle wheel I have ever used. (I own a book charka and feel a bit restricted by the spindle/bobbin size.)

Immediately on receiving my package, I pulled out my stash of silk hankies, and within minutes was spinning a nice, uniform thread. My one misgiving is wiht the tendency of the light weight machine to lift off the table when I do a draw. I can fix this with a C-clamp. There's a challenge for you - a pvc clamp!

I've clicked around your web page, and am truly surprised with the variety of products you make. I may be interested in a pinkie wheel in the future (talk about portable), and a great wheel if I ever have the space.

Once again, congratulations on a great little design. I know I'll enjoy it for years to come.

M.F.

February 21,2002

This website has a very nice testimonial on the front page. Take a look by clicking : http://www.yarngoddess.com

Message: 6

Date: Mon, 11 Feb 2002 10:50:39 -0600

From: S.W.

Subject: Re: Babe Spindle Questions - Answers

Ivy is quoted: > Just a few silly questions about this spindle. The > whorl is so huge it's probably terrific for plying big > balls of yarn so I'm excited to start playing with it. > :) > It looks like it can be used as a top or bottom whorl, > since the whorl comes off. Is that really the case?

Yes and an akha, too, and you can use one whorl at a time for a lighter spindle!

> I can't get the whorls to stay on.

Put some beeswax on the shaft and in the whorl. NOT candle wax. Also, you could use a spindle balm (AUBREY'S comes to mind ) to make the shaft "swell up" a bit - likely the dry winter temps have shrunk it a little bit. It IS from Wisconsin, you know! ;-)

> Any advice? It's such a versetaile spindle, and looks > to be so nifty for plying. I want to start playing > with it soon.

I think you'll be able to use it for a lot more than plying. They really are adjustable in so many ways, and they're perfect for when you're out spinning and someone wants to try your spindle! Plus, since they come apart, they're easy to stick in a tote bag, even though they're large and can pack on a huge cop.

Good luck! And if you continue to have problems, I am SURE Nels will exchange it for another! He is just like that! ;-)

February 5, 2002

Mr Wiberg,

I just had to write and thank you. I was amazed at how quickly I got my Babe's production single treadle spinning wheel and my joy knitting rake. I'm afraid I will be forced to blame you for my new addiction :o)! I've never spun before but after a couple of hours my yarn evened out and I was making good strong thread. I took my wheel over to a lady's house that has been spinning for years. She said she believes she likes my spinning wheel better than her high dollar wheels! It is definately quieter. I'll be taking my wheel to a spinning retreat in April. I can't wait to hear the feedback. Thank you for making an inexpensive well put together product and speedy service. Sincerely Amanda Seley

January 8, 2002.

Just to say I am very, very, pleased with the Babe's production wheel I bought from Bev McKenzie. Got in Sept. first skein I spun is best classified as "novelty" yarn. It will weave up nicely though. Then I figured out what was going on and got much more even yarn. I spin singles then ply it. Now have one rather curly skein of singles, that I will have to figure out what to do with. Did not like the skein winder on top of the wheel so I built a stand for it, of PVC pipe of course. Works fine and the wheel fits easily into my van with out the winder on top. CAn get fiber from some of my guild members who raise sheep. Though I better not buy any more for awhile. Am interested in your knitting rake, as knitting needles and I do not do well together. Crochet is fine though. Am spinning and planning what to do with that yarn. Got a few "LOOKS" when I came into our guild meeting, so many think only a "furniture" type wheel is good. Snicker, snicker I found I was, new spinner too, producing more nice even yarn than many of the "experienced" spinners on their "pretty" wheels. (To tell the truth, if I had the money for one of the "real" wheels, I would have got the added harnesses for one of my looms! I find spinning very relaxing. thanks for making a wheel that is both very workable and reasonable in price. Now back to my library work! (While dreaming of weaving, spinning, and ?) A. M. in Missouri

"Weavers get warped,dulcimer players fret but librarians get booked!"

Here are two new products and ideas not quite ready for market. On 12/02/01 I came up with the new Spinning Wheel. Today 12/16/01 I had to work on an idea I had for a long time of how to put an electric motor on Babe. I borrowed my Wife's old portable Singer Sewing Machine, a pulley on the back of the machine, a drive band and we were set to spin. With the foot control of the sewing machine you could go at any speed. You can also go in reverse but I did not try it. You could then also ply with with it.

New things are always fun. This one, I think, has saved my sanity to be demolished another day. I got the wheel, but life was so fraught that I had no time to put it together, much less play with it. When another snafu left me with a free couple of hours, I decided to reward myself (for not committing mayhem today) and finally put it together. I remarked to a friend that, with the way things have been going, it would probably be missing a part. Not so; oh delight, and wonderment! Bingo bango -- together, coupla drops of oil, and (lightweight!) I carried it out on the deck and spun for a while. Nothing that needed spinning -- just relaxation. Now, an hour later, I have a rip-roaring sunburn (altitude 7000 feet) and a happy soul.

GOOD product, GOOD value, good for you!

Thanks very much!

Jane Webb (Jane gave permission to contact her and to view her website below, Nels)

mailto:jane@webbweave.com

http://www.webbweave.com

Hello,

When I purchase an item I usually use that item without giving it a second thought. However I felt it absolutely necessary to write regarding The Babe's Joy Knitter. Now I want to let you know that I, at this time, currently own 6 knitting looms and a knitting machine, but The Babe's Joy Knitter is by far the best I have ever Used!!!!!!!!!! Not only is it light weight and portable but it is designed so the stitches DO NOT pop off (which, by the way is VERY frustrating!!!).

I also wanted to share a little tip that works wonders when knitting with this little gem, and that is a little tool found in the quilting department at Wal-Mart called the Trapunto Stuffing Tool put out by the Dritz Company (also found at www.dritz.com) it is used for stuffing animals or quilts but nothing works better for knitting on The Babe's Joy Knitter.

Please take it from me even if you own other knitting looms BUY THIS ONE TOO!!! It's an exceptional value, easy to use (even for beginners) and doesnt take up space!

Thank you for inventing this wonderful little item!!!!!!!

Sincerely, K.W.

June 20, 2001

Dear Nels,

I bought a Joy Knitter from you a few months ago, and I LOVE it. I bought Mary Thomas' book as well, played around with different cast ons and have made a few things. The reaction from other knitters has been tremendous. My twelve year old son loves to sit down to knit with it as well.

B.H.

Modesto, CA

PS I'll send you some pictures of my completed projects soon. Working on a beautiful ruana right now. :)

March 13, 2001

Nels, I thought you might appreciate seeing what I've been telling my spinning friends about this wheel:

Forwarded message:

My new wheel arrived today! It took me about 10 min. to assemble and I was off and spinning. This wheel is soo nice, it's much smother and more refined than the one I'd been using on loan. Nels has continued development, and it shows. I would not hesitate to recommend this as a first wheel, It is very nice.

-- Linux Advocate * Fiber Artist * Piper * Genealogist

Bagpipe FAQ - http://www.xmission.com/~redbeard/rmmb_fom/cache/1.html

Mr. Wiberg:

I just received my Babe's Production Machine (Christmas gift from my in-laws, who told me to use my judgement about opening it early!), and I wanted to thank you for making an enjoyable (and affordable) wheel to use. This is my first (and only at present!) wheel, I have been a spindle spinner for about a year and a half now. It was great to get set up in less than 15 minutes and wonderful to be able to spin with some speed! I am really enjoying this wheel. Thanks again for a really nice product that furthers the fiber arts! [:-)] -W. W, in SE TX

Subject: Re: Babe spinning wheel Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2000 23:40:14 -0600 From: Wendy To: inventor@babesfibergarden.com References:

Hi Nels. I received my wheel from Carol tonight, in about 10 minutes was spinning away quite happily!!! Lovely wheel, spins like a dream. Will highly recommend it to future students. I bought the Production single treadle, have only tried the slower ratio spools, will try the higher ratio ones tomorrow but so far, am very impressed. Wendy in Saskatchewan Canada

Subject: Babe!!!!!!! Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2000 11:43:03 -0800 From: D.C, Name on file To: nwiberg@smartgate.com

Hi, I received my double treadle production Babe last week. I was amazed that after only 7 minutes of assembly I was spinning!!!!! I was totally amazed how easy it spins and all the thought you put into making sure that I didn't need another thing to get underway. Having the threading hook attached and the ease at which the bobbins are changed is truly two of the great features of this wheel. I must admit that I'm not used to spinning at the fastest ratio but will put it to good use in spinning fibers that require more twist than the "mountain lumpy" wool I usually spin for bulky sweaters and weaving.

Two of the ladies at my spinning group were totally intrigued by the wheel and couldn't wait to try it out. They were also amazed when I told them this is the "most expensive" wheel you make except for the great wheel. Sorry I can't give you any great suggestions for improvement; you seem to have thought of everything. Way to go Nels! You should be hearing from me again soon. D.C. in wet western Washington where the Babe is right at home.

Subject: Received Order Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000 21:53:33 -0600 From: J.A. Name on File To: Nels Wiberg

Mr. Wiberg: I received the wheel I ordered from you on Monday afternoon. I immediately fell in love with it. It is an extremely smoooth running wheel. I had some wool, already carded, that spun up beautifully. I also tried some of the angora hair I had just taken off some of my rabbits. Spun like a charm. I have never had angora spin so easily. It was wonderful. The wool that came with the wheel is also wonderful. I will definitely be ordering more Just wanted you to know how much I am already enjoying your wheel. Thank you very much. J.A.

Just got 11 Babe Spindles on Wed from the Woolery. A sanded 3/8 inch (1cm) dowel 12 inches (25 cm) long. A sturdy opened up screw eye nicely centered in one end, less than or = diameter of dowel. The eye is small enought to allow you to slide a whorl over it. 2 Red plastic whorls 4 inches (10 cm) diameter and slightly less than 1/8 inch thick, that you slide to any point along the dowel that you like. 3/8 hole in center. The center of the whorl is reinforced. Rim has a slight rounded 1/8 inch bead at the edge. No notches in the rim. I think it would be sturdy enough to withstand student use (dropping) .

Whorl Cross section:

|\ /| o================== ==================o

The weights are: Dowel with hook: 0.6 oz, each whorl: 0.9 oz. So you can make it top or bottom whorl, 1 or 2 whorls depending on how much weight you want: 1.5 or 2.2 ounces. Maybe one for spinning and two for plying.

How it Spins:

The eye is centered in the dowel, which means the yarn is slightly offset from center, causing a slight wobble, but the spindle kept going. When I leaned the eye over a bit, it spun without wobble. I also plan to make a notch in the edge of each whorl so they can be top whorls. One of the dowels was warped but can easily replaced with a new one. Because they are standard dowels, some can be slightly over- or under-sized and can be loose or really tight. If it's loose, a bit of hot glue on the shaft would fix it, but the whorl would forever be in that position. Ok, if you don't want to move the whorl. The spindle weight is good for general purpose yarn for sweaters, vests, hats, etc.

I'm thinking of decorating the red whorls with stickers like Stars or Sheep so it's easier for students to notice when they stop. With the solid red color, it's hard to tell....

Overall: a well balanced, sturdy spindle good for starting people out with a usable spindle at very reasonable cost.

B C - eastern Mass. _________________________________________________________

Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2000 15:18:06 -0400

Dear Mr. Wiberg,

I just had to tell you again how much I love the Babe. I had never even seen a spinning wheel before, and I still haven't seen anybody spinning. Undaunted by messages to the KnitU mailing list voicing the opinion that it's impossible to learn to spin from a book, I sat down to it and was immediately hooked.

I wrote to the other Marylander you told me about, but she is too far away for a visit.

I entered my first handspun sweater in the county fair this weekend, and won the "Grand Champion" ribbon in the crafts division. (Okay, okay, it's not a very big fair, but it was thrilling nonetheless.)

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=223309&a=1654265&p=24816999

I'll be calling up soon for more wool.

Thanks again,

M. D. -- Rock Hall, MD

(not exactly the middle of nowhere, but you can see it from here)

Date: Mon, 24 Jul 2000 11:43:53 -0500

Hi Nels,

Thanks for the Spinn Spinn song. My 15-yr-old daughter sat down at the piano and played it for me. It is so-o-o-ooo mournful. In addition to playing the piano, she also spinns--on a Babe, of course. We gave it to her for Christmas (didn't want to share my wheel) and she can spin yarn every bit as fine and dandy as what comes off my Elizabeth. She makes quite an impression at demos spinning Angora off one of her buns on her new-fangled Babe wheel.

Thanks again,

A

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Created March 26, 1999 and updated September 12, 2003.