POP! Goes the Weasel!!

Every spinner has their supply of favorite equipment!  As a spinner, we keep our craft going  just with the purchases of handy dandy “stuff” that we feel is required to make a beautiful yarn!  One of those so called necessaries essential for my spinning is a weasel! 

 The tune of "Pop Goes the Weasel" likely originated in the 1700s as part of an English country dance, with the earliest surviving sheet music from that era. 

This is my “weasel” or skein winder.  A dear friend built this and it reminds me of him every time I use it. 

It is two yards around the spokes.  You can count the yardage by using this method.  When it makes a round, the weasel makes a popping sound!  

It’s not necessary to have this piece of equipment in your spinning accommodations, does come in handy.  You could use a hand held skein winder. 

The lyrics themselves appeared later, around 1854, and are thought to have emerged from street musicians who frequently played the tune. The phrase "pop goes the weasel" may have its roots in spinning yarn, where a "weasel" was a device that would "pop" when a certain amount of yarn was detailed breakdown:

• Here’s some info:

  The Melody:

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  The tune is a variation of "The Haymakers," which dates back to the 1700s and was included in a Scottish dance music repository. 
Early Sheet Music:
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In the early 1850s, sheet music for "Pop Goes the Weasel for Fun and Frolic" was published by Miller and Beacham of Baltimore, marking the oldest known evidence of the tune being associated with that title. 
Dance Popularity:
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By the mid-19th century, "Pop Goes the Weasel" was a popular social dance in England, even making its way into theaters and dance halls. 
Lyrics Emergence:
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The lyrics likely emerged later, possibly from street musicians who played the tune and added their own verses. 
Possible Yarn Connection:
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Some theories suggest the phrase "pop goes the weasel" might relate to a spinning device called a "weasel," which would make a popping sound when a specific amount of yarn was spun. 
Darker Interpretations:
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Some analyses suggest the lyrics might allude to themes of poverty, pawnbroking, and even the Eagle Tavern in London's City Road, according to a BBC article. 
And now, we’re off to learn how tales of old, play a big part in our lives!