SPINNING WHEEL

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1935, Page 2

SPINNING WHEEL

SWEDISH REVIVAL IN ART

STOCKHOLM, May 27

A revival of the old-time art of the spinning-wheel seems to be on its way in Sweden. A few years ago. a flaxspinning competition, in which women from the age of ]2 to 75 years took part, was organised by a flaxgrowers’ society in the parish of Sorunda, near Stockholm. The participants brought their own old-fashioned and graceful spinning-wheels and their picturesque provincial costumes.

Some of t;he girls, dressed in their colourful costumes, arrived in modern motor-cars, and proved themselves to he equally efficient at the steeringwheel and the spinning-wheel. Only home-grown flax from the local farms was used, and the spectators marvelled at the nimble skill of the spinners, many of whom- still use only their ihomespun flax in their households. Competitions of this kind are followed with great interest in Sweden. They form part of the general movement to restore the interest of, Swedish youth in farm work and the honourable calling of the peasant. Similar events are competitions in ploughing and hand-milking organised by the active and rapidly growing society of farming youths.