cheery cherry charka

A delayed introduction, and also an inebriation test. If you ever find yourself in doubt about your state of intoxication, you can try saying the title twelve times fast while spinning soy silk on a spindle. Anyway-- at long last, I get around to posting a picture of my new (as of February) Bosworth Attache Charka.

I love it.

There is something about doing long draw off a spindle that mesmerizes and comforts me. I love the high ratio of this little machiine (rumored at 110:1). Every time a length of yarn is formed it seems like magic. Wool is wonderful but in my Real Life I find I reach for cotton every day. I hope someday to be a good enough spinner to use my cotton thread to make real things to wear--shirts and sweaters and whatnot. Right now I'm working on weft for a scarf, and using natural "green" cotton roving. Of all my fiber endeavors I think I am least adept at spinning, but this fine tool is certainly an inspiration, and a pleasure to use.

Yes, that is a peruvian manta on which it is resting.