Spinning wool

A woman sits on the edge of a field near Otavalo spinning wool. She holds a distaff in her left hand. (Learn more)

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Spinning is the process that turns wool fibers into yarn by twisting them. In Ecuador, hand-spinning is done with a distaff and spindle. The distaff is a short stick that holds the raw wool that will be twisted into yarn. The craftsperson holds the distaff in one hand, drawing the wool fibers out with the other hand. As she draws out the fibers, she fastens them to the spindle — another stick onto which the twisted fibers are wound. She spins and drops the spindle. The spinning motion twists the fiber into yarn, pulls it tight, and winds it around the spindle. The craftsperson continues to draw out the fibers and spin the spindle until all the fibers have been twisted into yarn.

Learn more about Ecuador, Otavalo, South America, crafts, craftsmanship, weaving, wool, world cultures, and yarn.

Definitions

distaff n.
A short stick used to hold raw fiber while spinning it into thread or yarn.
spindle n.
A wooden rod, usually tapered at one end, on which fibers are spun by hand into thread and then wound.

Links

  • Lesson plan: Threads through South America: Weaving in Ecuador This lesson for grade six takes a look at the weaving and textiles created in the Andes of Ecuador in and near the town of Otavalo. In addition to learning about Ecuadorian weaving, students may also create their own woven artifact.

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