Photograph: Woman spinning wool in a log hut

Russians

Arkhangelsk Guberniya, Uyezd

1912

Decorations/jewelry, Costume, headdress, Costume, women's

169 x 117

РЭМ 2637-85

The picture shows a woman wearing a chemise, a cotton pinafore, and stockings, with a povoinik on her head. She is sitting at the window on the base of a composite distaff placed on the bench; wool is attached to the distaff blade, and the thread is wound off to the spindle. Wool was used to knit socks, stockings, mittens, sweaters, head shawls, sashes, and scarves. They were mostly made for home use, but some were for sale. The Pomor knitwear was highly values and found not only domestic but also foreign market. Abstract by O.G. Baranova