Issue #102 – October 2018

$6.00

• Gylland Spinning Wheels — Part Two
• A Mysterious “Asian Wheel”
• The Spinner’s Cottage
• A Brief History of Hand Spinning

Description

Highlights From This Issue

The theme of this issue is teamwork. We learn how teams of researchers, from different parts of the world, can solve mysteries about spinning wheels and other textile tools. An American and an English spinner compared the characteristics of their own wheels to those made in Norway and later found a connection to a company in England. A spinner and a wheel maker in New Zealand, with help from others, analyzed and figured out the purpose of a device from Japan. All collectors enjoy showing off their spinning wheels. We learn about a new permanent home for a textile tool collection and enjoy pictures of an exhibit showing the history of hand spinning.

Gylland Spinning Wheels — Part Two

When Karen MacEwan and Dorothy Lumb researched their Norwegian spinning wheels, other spinners told them about similar wheels sold by the Dryad Company in the United Kingdom. Joining forces, they were able to compare the Gylland spinning wheels to those marked Dryad. With help from Alan Beavon, current owner of the company, and other wheel owners, they were able to trace the relationship.

A Mysterious “Asian Wheel”

After Annie, in New Zealand, acquired what she was told was an “Asian spinning wheel,” she took it to Mike Keeves, the wheel maker. Even after he had made adjustments, it would not spin. So, he asked Mary Knox for assistance. With help from several other people, Mary and Mike worked out that it was a Japanese device for reeling silk, which also used false twist to improve the quality of the thread.

The Spinner’s Cottage

Susan Hector reports on the opening of the Zuest Spinner’s Cottage at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, CA. It is the new home of Susie Henzie’s extensive collection of spinning wheels, looms, and other textile tools.

A Brief History of Hand Spinning

Kim Caulfield shared her enthusiasm for the history of hand spinning by organizing a display at the Natural Fiber Extravaganza near Nashville, TN, in July 2018. She used many of her own wheels and a few from the collection of the Falls Mill Museum in Belvidere, TN.