Niddy-noddy, anyone?

In case you were wondering, this is a niddy-noddy:

Not sure if you need one, right?

Well, you might, if you’re a knitter, or if you spin your own yarn, that kind of thing….

Here's a demonstration by folks at The Woolery

The Natick Historical Society in Natick, MA, has one in its museum.

At least as early as the 15^th century, the niddy-noddy was used to create and measure a skein of yarn: the spinner would rhythmically wrap the yarn around this eccentric device, and count off pre-determined lengths. The resulting loops of yarn could easily be slipped off the niddy-noddy, and knotted into a handy skein.

An historian of my acquaintance mentions that the niddy-noddy was a conveniently simple tool for grandmas and granddaughters to use in yarn-stuff teamwork in 19^th century America; it seems that the young and old ladies paired up often enough to do this work that “Niddy-Noddy” became a grandmother-ish nickname in some regions….

….and btw, a niddy-noddy is featured in an early 16^th painting by Leonardo da Vinci, the “Madonna of the Yarnwinder,” see it here.

"Maskers" circa 1910....

Thanksgiving without football?

"...the commotions in America..."

What's the name again?

Lafayette....a great man?

"We, the people..."....ummm

Vox populi, non vox Dei

Copyright © Richard Carl Subber 2014