In this episode, Candiss Cowan teaches us how to use a drop spindle, which is a tool mentioned in the Old Testament and dates back 5,000 years. Every girl in Colonial America had one, and since “idle hands did the devil’s work,” girls were constantly spinning. They even were using the spindle when they walked to fields to bring the cows back to the stable. Not a minute was wasted.
Sheep to Shawl, Part 5: How to use a Drop Spindle
Candiss Cowan teaches us how to use a drop spindle, a tool mentioned in the Old Testament and dates back 5,000 years. Every girl in Colonial America had one, and since "idle hands did the devil's work," girls were constantly spinning.
More Posts

Scott House Journal, February 2026
February 19, 2026
This edition of the Scott House Journal features the nation’s Centennial and how Ridgefield marked the nation’s 100th birthday, as well as how the town dealt with the ‘Centennial Burglars.

Ridgefield Voters Approve East Ridge Historic District
February 16, 2026
Residents extended historic protections to the town’s third ridge and affirmed the community’s longstanding commitment to preserving the architectural character that defines Ridgefield’s past, present, and future.

The Story of the Goodwill Baptist Church in Ridgefield
February 15, 2026
A moving Black History Month program at the Ridgefield Historical Society explored the founding, legacy, and lasting significance of the Goodwill Baptist Church, Ridgefield’s first Black church, and the faith,

Battle of Ridgefield Archaeology Project Blog Entry #5: Reflectance Transformation Imaging
February 15, 2026
This winter, archaeologists are using advanced imaging technology to reveal new details from metallic artifacts recovered during the Battle of Ridgefield investigations, offering fresh insight into what happened on April