I have a country spinner. It is an older model (has an upright bar in
center front and the treadle on the right side of that, which is
inconvenient - what good is the big treadle if you can't get both your feet
on it?). I like the huge capacity and the huge orifice that doesn't require
a hook. I do use it to ply, but it can be maddeningly slow since mine only
has one ratio and I think it is 1:4 or even less than that. The wheel is
weighted, so it treadles easily and will keep going at its fastest speeds
without too much effort.
I really like being able to have such jumbo skeins - I haven't filled up the
bobbin yet to capacity. This wheel is better suited for a low-twist lopi
style yarn and for bulky novelty yarns than it is for plying average yarns,
but I am still doing it anyway sometimes. Fine yarns could not be done with
this wheel, even just plying. I don't know if the newer models have other
ratios, but the newer design with the treadle in the center front would be a
definite improvement. This wheel would definitely not make a good first or
only wheel, and is not one that I think I will keep forever. My Traditional
is much more practical for most purposes. If you have a chance to try a
Country Spinner, try it and see what you think, but you might be happier
with the Jumbo Flyer for your Traveler, even though its capacity can't come
close - the Country Spinner bobbins hold three pounds of yarn easily! All
the wide empty space on the wheel just begs for decoration - I ought to try
some rosemalling there.
Hope this helps!
Wendy
Double Diamond New World Livestock
Mark & Wendy Thompson
La Mancha, Angora, Navajo Churro
Fibers & Processing
Vernal, Utah
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