Celebrating Distaff Day
While many may have never heard of it, Distaff Day is still celebrated by groups of hand spinners, keeping the tradition alive.
What is a Distaff?
My distaff, with a removable charm collection.
It may be helpful for those new to spinning first to describe what a distaff is. When spinning most fibers, one hand holds the fiber supply while the other pinches the end of the fresh-spun yarn to control the amount of twist allowed into the fiber. The trick is that the space in between your hands must be longer than the staple length of the fiber, that is, the average length of the individual fiber strands. Most wools have a staple length of a few inches. Flax, however, in its preferred form, is not just a few inches but rather a few feet. In order to help manage this extra-long fiber length, flax is tied loosely to a distaff so the spinner can pull just a few strands at a time while spinning.
Illustration with distaff and spindle labeled.
Pearson Scott Foresman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
What (And when) is Distaff Day?
Distaff Day is observed the first day after the 12 days of Christmas, or January 7th. It is the day that the spinners of the household and community begin spinning flax again after the holidays. Most of what is known about Distaff Day comes from a 17th-century poem, which partially goes:
“If the Maides a-spinning goe,
Burne the flax, and fire the tow:
Scorch their plackets, but beware
That ye singe no maiden-haire.
Let the maides bewash the men.”
From this we gather that Distaff Day was for mischief, where the men would attempt to set fire to the flax, and get buckets of water dumped on them when caught.
Why is it Celebrated?
After a long holiday, finding the motivation to return to work and household chores can be difficult. The traditions of Distaff Day likely originated as a way to smooth the transition back to the routine.
How is St. Distaff Day Celebrated Today?
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My display box collecting my 2023 fibers to be spun on Distaff Day 2024.
Distaff Day may no longer recognized by the general public, but some groups of spinners are keeping the memory alive. Some groups hold spinning events, while others are starting new traditions. One of these new traditions is stashing fiber from each spin into a display case. Then, on Distaff Day, carding that fiber together and spinning it together to represent that year in a single skein of yarn.