>>> Cow and a calf". Or "mother and babe". Those are bobbins (always Midlands, I think) which are carved/turned in such a way that a larger one will "carry", within itself, a really tiny (no more than 3/4-1") one. <<< >>>I have a couple of these lovely old bobbins, but they are not spangled as Midlands bobbins are. They are more in the tradition of "thumpers'' , used, I think in Bedfordshire lace. Elaine Merritt <<<
I have a cow and calf, also called jack-in-the-box, I think. As I'm unmarried and not a parent, I figured I shouldn't have a "mother and babe" bobbin, but I gave my mother one for Mother's Day. As a zoologist, I figured the cow and calf was just fine for me! B-D Mother and babe bobbins have the baby "imprisoned" inside the shaft of the mother, with windows cut in the shaft so you can see it. Some turners even make twins and triplets inside the mother. That requires especially tiny carving! Cow and calf bobbins have the little calf bobbin stuck into the bottom and removable. Mine is Midlands and I have it spangled, but I have to be careful. The spangle is actually attached to the calf and that's just pressure-fit into the cow. If I move it too lustily, the weight of the spangle can induce birth, so to speak. Robin P. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
