In celebration of National Spinning and Weaving week, we’re highlighting four different WEBS staff members and their spinning or weaving tool of choice. Here, Sara tells us how the Ladybug changed her thoughts on spinning for the better.

I learned how to spin one night with my knitting group 9 years ago. One of our members brought in drop spindles made from dowels, rubber bands and old CDs. We spent a few hours laughing, growling,learning the basics of spinning and plying and we all went home with remarkably wonky mini skeins. At the time I was a busy working mom with 2 toddler girls and not a lot of time to sit still so I thought it would be perfect for me. Unfortunately, I was ignoring how much I detest stop/start progress on any project. I don’t sit down to work on anything unless I can dedicate some serious time and brain resources to it. After a few dismal tries I gave up on the spindle and decided that spinning just wasn’t for me. 

About a year later Schacht introduced the Ladybug. They are adorable and compact, the wheel is the same color as my VW Beetle, I instantly wanted one. A spinning wheel can be quite an investment when you are wholeheartedly interested in spinning and I had already abandoned the craft once so I waited. I would try the wheel out in the store occasionally and think how much I liked it and that I would totally use it but then I would remember the spindle and I’d go back to waiting. Two years ago a friend of mine got a Ladybug and made the mistake of telling me to take it for a spin, I was in love and a few short weeks later my Mathilde came home. (Yes, I named my new Ladybug!)

I spun my way through a pound of fiber the very first evening. I had no plans, no technique to speak of just a desire feel the fiber move through my fingers and become something new. I spun through 3 braids and 1 bat of fiber the next week and watched as the yarn I produced became markedly more consistent and even. I explored long-draw, worsted and spinning from the fold and I liked them all. I liked the WHOLE process because it was a whole process. With a little bit a prep work to the fiber I could sit and spin 1, 2, even 3 whole bobbins in one sitting and with the attached Lazy Kate I could swap a full one for an empty and just keep going! When I was ready to ply all my bobbins were right there ready to go.

I love the compact style and portability of my Ladybug but I love MORE that I can complete the whole process in one spot and almost all at one time.

Check out Sara’s review of the Ladybug in the video below!