Save the Date for Roc Day
Roc Day, or St. Distaff's Day was the day, in northern European tradition, when all the spinners and weavers went back to their household work after the Christmas holidays. It was generally January 7th, the day following the Feast of the Epiphany which is January 6th. This day is named for the roc or distaff used in spinning which was the symbol of women's work during medieval times.
This first day back to work after the twelve days of Christmas was sometimes interrupted and harassed by the men who didn't have to start work until Plough Monday which was the first Monday after Epiphany. Flax might be set a fire so buckets of water were kept at the ready to put out the fire but also to douse the mischievous men. Hilarity ensued.
Spinners and weavers often commemorate this historical event by having a fun get-together. Our Roc Day celebration, this coming January, is scheduled for Sunday January 10th from 10 am to 4 pm out here in the studio. Depending on the weather, we will have nice warm soup or cool chilled salad for lunch along with coffee, tea and soft drinks. Please bring a snack to share.
We will have door prizes and may even have a dye pot going for anyone who wants to play with color. Be sure to bring whatever you are working on - knitting, spinning, weaving, crochet, etc. If you would like a quick spinning lesson this would be a great time for it. If you have always wanted to learn to weave, here is your chance to sit down at one of our looms and play a bit.