I don't know how to spin. I was looking at Charleen's beautiful new spinning wheel and thinking how I wish I did...
I do have a spinning wheel, though. In fact, I have two. They were made by my great uncle's father, Mr. Johnson. I never met him, but he was obviously quite talented. He also made a number of chairs - beautiful, spindly little things.
I hope I learn to spin some day. Pity it won't be on one of these.
7 comments:
Oh those look gorgeous! You know, spinning wheels always remind me of the history of Indian independence: the British who ruled India took away raw cotton from India and sold back finished cloth to Indians at exhorbitant prices. Mahatma Gandhi started a movement where he encouraged people to use spinning wheels for spinning their own cotton and making their own clothes. The spinning wheel (called "charkha") remains a symbol of Indian independence. (My parents have one in their attic from their parents' time)
Awww, how cute! :)
Perhaps you could spin really tiny wool?
Hi Nupur! I didn't know that - it's fascinating though. The term charkha was vaguely familiar (I probably had seen it in a catalog or something). I looked around a little and it also appears to be used in the US to refer to wheels that are used for spinning cotton - they're quite different in design from my little miniatures above. I love weaving with cotton, I wonder how hard it is to spin it?
Hi Alice - thanks!
Hi Stephanie - ah, if I only had tiny fingers!
I've never seen a spinning wheel but when I saw the pic, it immediately brought to mind that fairytale...uhm, I'm guessing the Bros. Grimm. You know, that one where the sneaky dwarf guy gives a name for the queen's daughter then asks for a favor in return? Accch, I've forgotten already, now I gotta google it.
Rowena...is it Rumplestiltskin?
Hi Rowena - yes I do remember, but it's been a long time. Looks like Alice, who I know is a big fan of children's literature, figured it out for you... thanks Alice!
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