I am answering from Diana's original memo. In my collection is a "weasel" -- so-called by people in this region of Maine (Northeastern US, on the Atlantic Ocean) many years ago. I originally found the name in a book or magazine. My "weasel" (yarn winder) was purchased out of a Maine barn full of primitive antiques about 40 years ago. It has been dis-assembled for storage The fact it can be taken apart would have been convenient for people traveling overland through the forests and for storage in tiny cabins. It is a wooden 4-armed yarn winder 77 inches around (looks something like a windmill when upright), with a handle to turn that is the only smooth part - from wear and skin oil transferred during use. This winder fits into a stand with 3 legs (a bit like the way legs fit into a spinning wheel). There is a round cog-like system of wooden points, with one point removed. This makes the wheel "POP", and indicates the skein measure has been reached. >From the primitive nature of this all-wooden equipment, I'd say it measured heavy yarn that would have been used for knitting sweaters, caps, and mittens for men who worked in the woods or at sea, as well as for the families of many children. Nothing fancy. My memory is somewhat like Robin's. We chanted the rhyme while jumping rope in the 1940's, with a big emphasis on "POP"! I can imagine chanting it while winding yarn, as a way of entertaining babies and young children confined to a small cabin.. "Round and round the mulberry bush, The monkey chased the weasel. The monkey thought 'twas all in fun, POP goes the weasel!" Maine was settled by immigrants from northern Europe. Jeri Ames Lace and Embroidery Resource Center
In a message dated 8/17/2008 10:51:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: In the textiles industry, a spinner's weasel was a mechanical thread-measuring device in the shape of a spoked wheel, that accurately measured out yarns by making a popping sound to indicate the correct length had been reached. The mind-numbing and repetitive nature of the work is captured in the final line of each verse, indicating that whatever you were doing, or wherever your mind had wandered to, reality was never far away with the weasel to pop you alert again." **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel deal here. (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047) - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
