Spin Like a Viking

How to Spin like a Viking Woman! I concentrate on the re-created tools for spindle sticks and removable whorls and whether they are top-weighted or bottom-weighted. I also introduce the use of the Hand Distaff dressed with wool. (Actual hand distaff in action here: flic.kr/p/qXRfAa ) Video includes recreations of the Oseberg boat grave finds from circa 825 CE. Hand distaff re-creations can be purchased from my Etsy shop: missingspindle.etsy.com. For further discussion of Viking spindle spinning go to my blog: missingspindle.blogspot.com. I also re-create other Viking spindle sticks and removable whorl finds. Many thanks to the folks at www.tammyswales.com photography studio for their time and talent on this. I just want to note that electric irons were not invented back then, and I must have lost my smoothing board before donning my apron dress.

[@rachelshaw7319]

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.

[@goldenapples8938]

This is a beautiful explanation

[@DAYBROK3]

For a while I didn’t have working cards. If you pull apart the fibres and align them by the second layer it looks a bit like a batt.

[@Marialla.]

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!

[@MaryBerryFancyFibers]

So how would they dress a distaff from combed fiber? What width of comb?

[@MaryBerryFancyFibers]

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!

[@StarlitSeafoam]

"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

[@jayduck9]

Thank you so much, I'm the Props Master at Shakespeare in the Park in NYC and I want to thank you for making learning history fun.

[@amr4211]

I met you this weekend. You are an amazing human and an incredible teacher. Thank you so much!!

[@missingspindle]

Thank you so much. More are in the works as we take our fingers walking thru history……….

[@graflix1]

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

[@ameliamg9549]

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.

[@cynthiaesquibel3191]

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!

[@acmesarah]

You're fantastic! Can't wait to watch all of these!

[@matthewjbarron]

This is amazing! Thanks for posting such quality information about spinning in the different eras. I love your videos!

[@ah5721]

Love watching you videos ! They are very informative and helpful to learning the ancient ways😍

[@TammySwalesStudio]

hahaha I love the opening sequence! Nicely done mom! xoxo

[@junk_DNA]

reading a book called “the weaver and the witch queen” set in viking norway, and spinning a big part of the plot. this is so helpful lol.

[@Gigimamapa5]

I like that you teach from authority and experience.

[@maureenharris4115]

I love your videos - just as a previous viewer said - so informative and funny. Looking forward to more

[@ah5721]

helpful ! thank you !! I'm 1/2 scandinavian Danish and Swedish this is facinating to me !

[@EclectiClysm]

Man your videos make me happy. thank you.

[@missingspindle]

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!!!!!!

[@dwade1367]

Fascinating, and see how much work it was to make a warm garment. Love knitting, but maybe some day, I'll get brave to learn spinning. Stay Creative 💕

[@marinaholderbaum9821]

Thank you so much for your videos. I would never be able to learn how to spin with the Oseberg tools in Brazil if not for you.

[@Rockocat1]

Brava! I *love* your videos!! Entertaining and instructive!

[@missingspindle]

More silly serious spinster spinning - this time I channel the Vikings.

[@herdulka]

Thank you :-)

[@kimbari9972]

I just found this wonderful video while browsing for spinning tips!! Miss seeing you!!

[@myersmyers7803]

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.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Did you improve them any further? If so, how did you do it?

[@skivvy3565]

Ty very much, as soon as I saw the intro. I knew I was in for a treat

[@TheHandOfMadness]

I love this so much, I want to get to know my heritage alot more. Im a Minnesota Viking.

[@runsontrails3091]

You are entertaining and clear. Appreciated.

[@catharinaweselmann1108]

Wow! Your videos are great, I absolutely enjoyed watching it. :-)

[@KorKhan89]

Really fascinating content, thank you so much!

[@karate4348]

excellent, thank-you from Australia.

[@TaraMorse]

That was so fascinating - thank you.

[@lisajarvis3820]

Very 😎 and interesting!!❤️

[@chelseamccowen9525]

Wonderful, thank you for sharing!

[@Gracia144JesusSaves]

Beautifull braids and Smile and interesing to see other spinning techniques

[@Kight213]

You are phenomenal. Thank you.

[@DAYBROK3]

Oh went to your blog. Sorry about the sore joints and muscles hope you are better.

[@Ariesstubbornbutt]

Very cool!

[@jessykapop]

I love your channel.. Please make more videos.. Your too cUte!!!

[@coyotedust]

Love to see how you spin the wool from the distaff

[@gullwingstorm857]

You're awesome!

[@user-oe1rt5fp4l]

Wow. Men were usually the spinners. Very interesting. Thank you.

[@doralevitt2879]

You had me at the word Viking! 😄🤗🗡️

[@UpsideDownTeapot]

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. :)

[@Riot_Bird]

Interesting it kind of looks like a crochet hook that's really neat

[@cheriesmith5140]

i love this. you ate so awesome :) fascinating. keep it up

[@cheriesmith5140]

*are* lol

[@susie360]

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

[@DAYBROK3]

Hello Lois I k eep looking for more from you. Will there be more from you?

[@DAYBROK3]

when are you going to put out a new video? also can they be longer?

[@katchan228]

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

[@RachelRhiarti]

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!

[@michellecollie774]

Where can you get a replica of these spindles?

[@shelbymueller9650]

I've been trying to figure out how to spin and it took this video for it to fully click after watching many others that still confused me.

[@susanmoran5660]

hi louse my name is Susan Moran . I want to learn how to spinal .never did it before l what is the easiest spinal to use .thank you

[@lourias]

Once the fiber is spun, is it wound on the spinner piece?

[@onlyonefaith6356]

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

[@SusanShriverHowell]

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 :)

[@amyahdocq8835]

I just discovered you... you're so cute... love your videos... thank you

[@MaryBerryFancyFibers]

Lois, how would a Viking have made a batt? Were there even hand cards then?

[@skepticalmom2948]

Did they hand spin linen?

[@fancydeer]

not another craft I need to learn.

[@roseshollivy7220]

Por favor add a legenda em portugues Brasil

[@susanfortner2630]

Wish she’d do a vid on Portuguese spindles, they look like an hour glass with a hook thru the waist.

[@chandrapranam]

We manufacturer spinning charkha and hand carder in Uttarakhand If someone need please let us know.

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

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.

[@user-pt5it3ue1k]

و

[@userunavailable3095]

Gee, what happened to cause there to be a common era and a before common era?

[@jedidiahslaboda5620]

userunavailable3095 B.C.E and C.E are just more politically correct than A.D and B.C

[@wms72]

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.

[@detektorlybvi24]

Знаешь, у нас в России, в некоторых деревнях овец стригут и шерсть на помойку выкидывают.

[@marial.rapaglia4041]

I'd rather just buy yarn at the yarn store-this seems difficult to do.

[@peterross97]

Must be a "laurel" in the SCA. Criticizes anything anyone else is wearing, while ignoring the fact that she's wearing glasses...

[@missingspindle]

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. \

[@peterross97]

@@missingspindle Laurelhood confirmed.

[@tkarlmann]

Very poor video -- I'm trying to see how this spinning is done and all I saw were extraneous foolishness and history.

[@PamGabriel]

Why did I start crying when you told us that viking women were buried with their spindles T_T