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

Ridgefield LGBTQIA+ Oral History Project Wins 2026 AASLH Award of Excellence
June 27, 2026
Our collaborative community history project has received national recognition for bringing long-overlooked voices into Ridgefield’s historical record and expanding how local history is preserved, shared, and understood.

Ridgefield Historical Society Awards 2026 Scholarship to Pearce Steele
June 27, 2026
This year’s scholarship honors a student whose academic achievement and community involvement reflect the values at the heart of local history work.

The Queer Side of Ridgefield
June 27, 2026
This new book shares LGBTQIA+ experiences of Ridgefield through personal stories gathered during our community oral history project, preserving voices and perspectives that will broaden the understanding of the town’s

Ridgefield Historical Society Seeks Garden Volunteers for Historic Properties
June 3, 2026
A hands-on volunteer group is helping preserve the beauty and character of the outdoor spaces that surround some of Ridgefield’s most distinctive historic and architectural landmarks.