This was fantastic, thank you so much! One small thing, however, that you might find interesting. Wool cards have not been found earlier than the late 14th century in Europe (France, in fact), so vikings would not have spun from nice fluffy batts like the one you dressed your distaff with. They would have used combed fiber, or less commonly, spun from a cloud. Combing the wool also gave them a time efficient method of separating the coats on the primitive-breed sheep common to Northern Europe at that time. Some breeds of sheep have up to 5 separate coats in a single staple, and it was common practice to separate them and use them for different purposes; from making rugs, ropes, and sails with the outer coats of the britch down to making soft baby garments and underthings with the shortest down-like coats from around the neck, and everything in between. I still use this technique when I spin primitive breed fleeces such as Shetland, usually using the resulting yarn from a single fleece for tapestry, socks, sweaters, and fine lace. Without separating the coats out, the difference in the micron count between the coarse fibers and the fine fibers makes the resulting textiles so scratchy as to be a misery to wear. The outer coat of these kinds of sheep is often called the "hair coat" and this is where we get the expression "hair shirt" from.
What an interesting story! I'm very intrigued and hope I can find some videos showing this type of combing technique to separate out the fiber lengths! I'm always most fascinated by how our earliest ancestors did things, before technology made everything start getting easier. I like the technology of anything an average home crafter could have built themselves, and the combs you mention sound just like that!
The outer coat of a Shetland, Icelandic, etc IS actually hair, not wool. I like to use my dual coated Shetland wool for sturdy socks. No nylon required!
"You need a lot of twist right away for thin yarns". Thank you!!! You have saved me from utter frustration! I've just begun exploring hand-spindles, and my yarn kept pulling apart as I was spinning. I could not figure out what in the world I was doing wrong. But then I heard you say the above, and tried adding more twist to my yarn, and no more breaks! Huzzah!! Thank you so very much! :) Also, I am fascinated by the idea of removable whorls. What a great way to personalize a spindle! Also, you would only need one spindle stick, because you could just add whatever size whorl you wanted. I wonder if spindle whorl making was a nice side business in the Ancient World? Come to think of it, it could be a nice side business now! Haha
Hello can I ask you: do you consider the distaff being a symbol of the feminine? In betrothal, was the distaff a gift bestowed upon the bride by the groom? In times of non use, and in regard to the cage distaff, was the spindle stored in the cage or tied to the distaff? We are familiar with weaving and the three fates, is the distaff considered a symbol for "life"? Kind regards
Thanks for sharing some insights about using a distaff. I use one on my spining wheel and have tried using some home made distaffs for hand spindles. They've increased my productivity and consistency by at least 30% if my skeins are to be believed. I think I've got some ideas on how to improve them yet again.
You are so awesome!! I've been spinning for a little over a year on a schacht - learning to spin was one of the greatest decisions i've ever made, and i really love learning about the history.
I love the cabinet behind you, simply gorgeous! Loved your video, too! I love learning a craft with the history with it, it really brings it to life! Thank you!
Thank you so much! I needed this exact demonstration for an art project :) Did you know that in the old Norse religion women were able to practice a particular type of magic that supposedly 'reweaved' the destiny of the participants? And when practicing this magic they used a ritual distaff. :)
Your comments make ME happy. I celebrate all of you who kick ancient spindle technology forward into the future. Celebrate joy in research; it doesn't have to be so deadly dull!!!!!!
Absolutely love this video, but I do have a question. Did they ply their yarn or was it just singles? I have been trying to find if there were any evidence if they did ply or they didn't
Did you demonstrate during the World Wide Spin In Public? :) Our Loose Ends Fiber Addicts Group, was able to spin at Tygart Lake Lodge. Would love to have had this demonstration :)
Hi Lois, your videos are inspiring and very helpful indeed, thank you for all the useful information and tips. By the way, what is the name of the Irish Jig? In my Irish tune book it appears to be An Buachaillin Bui/The thrush's nest/The pipe on the hob. I can't find a recording anywhere, where is yours from? (I love playing it on my whistle). Many thanks
Is there any good resource for evidence of how they were used? I always understood them to be low whorl spindles, but as a high whorl spindler it would be wonderful news indeed if I don't need to learn to adapt my technique for reenactment purposes!
Hello, May I have the name of the top garment with the hood at 0:04, I would like to make one for myself. Also it would be lovely and appreciate if maybe if you had the time to show us ladies how to make some of the garments you wear. Thanks
NOT just like a Viking! WHEREVER you're people are from!! This is absolutely ANCIENT!! This is where we all come from!! The very foundation of civilization!! Learn and be one with your ancestors!!
I was wondering where I can track down some of that authentic viking age polyester ribbon? Thanks for this btw, I get so annoyed that most content on here--being American--fetishizes Indians and South American weavers oblivious to the fact that your ancestors taught them weaving and pretty much _everything_ that modern Americans seem to think is a 'traditional' native thing (including horses, the tomahawk, iron, fletching, bowstrings, basically everything you see in a 'cowboys and indian' film that Americans depict as something natives have done from time immemorial is a modern thing taught to them by Europeans) - so unfortunately traditional European weaving history is dying out.
The only thing "common" about the so-called "common era," was that, throughout Europe, spreadthe belief that God became man, and was born in a cave in Bethlehem, and died for our sins, and rose from the dead on the third day to give us everlasting life.
actually, I reenact Frumpy in the Viking Era. I am very good at that crumpled, wrinkled look as I have been practicing for decades. Spinsters with poor vision were probably assigned the spinning of thicker yarns for pack bags, etc. \