Table of Contents
What is a distaff used for?
distaff, Device used in hand spinning in which individual fibres are drawn out of a mass of prepared fibres held on a stick (the distaff), twisted together to form a continuous strand, and wound on a second stick (the spindle). It is most often used for making linen; wool does not require a distaff (see carding).
What is the meaning of distaff side?
the female side
distaff side. noun. the female side or branch of a familyCompare spear side.
What is the difference between distaff and spindle?
The basic tools used to spin the fibers were the spindle and the distaff. A distaff is designed to hold the unspun fibers, meanwhile a spindle is a straight spike, usually made from wood, onto which the fiber is being spun. The most commonly used fibers in Europe were wool and flax.
What is the distaff on a spinning wheel?
A distaff (/ˈdɪstɑːf/, /ˈdɪstæf/, also called a rock) is a tool used in spinning. It is designed to hold the unspun fibers, keeping them untangled and thus easing the spinning process. It is most commonly used to hold flax, and sometimes wool, but can be used for any type of fibre.
How do you use a distaff on a spinning wheel?
How to Spin with a Distaff
- Step 1 To begin loading the distaff, loop the tip of the fiber around the top of your distaff.
- Step 2 Begin wrapping your fiber in a Z spiral around the shaft, but don’t pull it tight.
- Step 3 Hold the loaded distaff in your left hand.
- Step 4 Now you’re ready to spin.
What is the male equivalent of distaff?
the spear side
Apparently, the masculine equivalent of the distaff side is the spear side!
What are synonyms for distaff?
In this page you can discover 10 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for distaff, like: womankind, gender, muliebrity, feminine, femininity, womanhood, womenfolk, womanish, female and womanly.
What is the opposite of distaff?
The antonym of distaff is agnate.
What does Distaff mean in the Bible?
1a : a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning. b : woman’s work or domain. 2 : the female branch or side of a family.
What is the difference between a spindle and a distaff?
This version is the older of the two, as spindle spinning predates spinning on a wheel. A distaff can also be mounted as an attachment to a spinning wheel. On a wheel it is placed next to the bobbin, where it is in easy reach of the spinner.
What is an antique spinning wheel?
For many, an antique spinning wheel is more than just a decoration. It’s a reminder of a time when things were made by hand, with care and precision. In a world that often feels mass-produced and impersonal, an antique spinning wheel is a tangible connection to our past.
What is the length of a spinning distaff?
It is about 3 feet (0.9 m) long, held under the left arm, with the left hand drawing the fibers from it. This version is the older of the two, as spindle spinning predates spinning on a wheel. A distaff can also be mounted as an attachment to a spinning wheel.
Where do you mount a distaff on a spinning wheel?
A distaff can also be mounted as an attachment to a spinning wheel. On a wheel it is placed next to the bobbin, where it is in easy reach of the spinner. This version is shorter, but otherwise does not differ from the spindle version.