WESTFIELD-The Hilltop Spinners is a group of people who have kept the art of making yarn with spinning wheels. The group meets on the second Saturday of the even months in various locations. The spinners group, which began in 1978, meets to discuss recently made homespun yarn and items produced from the homespun yarn. Spinning fibers has been going on for centuries, and people depended on the spinning wheel to make yarn for their clothing, blankets and other household items. Spinning wheels were on ships, as yarn was used in making sails. There are many different kinds of spinning wheels and the main idea of making yarn is to twist the fibers to give the yarn its strength.
Nanette Knappenberger of Westfield is the president of the group, and Claire Heverley of Ripley is the secretary and newsletter editor. Yvonne Lee of Warren is the treasurer. Kent Knappenberger is the librarian for the group's books. Members are from southwestern New York, northwestern Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
At the Crossroads in Westfield, the group met and was provided demonstrations for the visitors there recently. Shown in the photograph is Stewart VanOrd of Russell, Pa. with his "walking" wheel. With this type of spinning wheel, the person stands and walks along with the fibers while spinning. Looking on is a long time needle-felter Dell Gates from Sherman. Gates is known for the many hats which he has made in recent years.
For more information on the group, write to Hilltop Spinners, PO Box 392, Cassadaga, NY 14718. New members are always welcome.
