The Twine Machine

The character 'Rèn' is pronounced as a combination of 'ni' and 'lin' This is a device used for twisting rope and twine. The Book of Popular Expressions states that a single strand is called a ren. To construct it, wood is bent to form a drum-like cylinder, through which a central axle is passed. The handle is approximately one foot or more in length. Hemp fibers or cord are attached to the upper corner of the cylinder; the operator holds the handle with the right hand to rotate the device, while the left hand continuously joins the hemp strands together. Once the twist becomes tight pronounced in the falling tone, the twine is then wound onto the cylinder. Alternatively, it can be used alongside a rope-winding wheel to assist in the twisting and tightening pronounced in the falling tone of the material. Farming families also use this tool to prepare the warp threads for weaving hemp sandals, protective coverings for cattle, reed mats, and other such items. These Twine Machines are further categorized into large and small sizes.

The Spinning Spindle

This is a tool for spinning hemp yarn. It is made from a section of wood approximately six inches long, with a diameter at the head of about three inches. The space between the two ends is narrowed, giving it a shape similar to a waist-drum A traditional Chinese drum that is wide at the ends and narrow in the middle. A small hole is made in the center to insert a hooked peg Pegoriginal: 簨 (sǔn); a small wooden protrusion or hook used to catch the fiber during spinning. about four inches long. The hemp fibers are tied to the bottom; the operator suspends the tool with the left hand and uses the right hand to flick and spin it. Once the hemp has been twisted tight, it is wound directly onto the spindle body. The remaining loose hemp is then caught by the hook to continue the process as before. The yarn produced—whether intended for the warp or the weft—can be used to make coarse cloth Coarse Clothoriginal: 觕布 (cūbù); a rugged, unrefined fabric used for durable work clothing. or for weaving shoes. During the agricultural off-season, even the elderly and the young are capable of performing this task. Although this is a minor and humble tool, it is of no small benefit to the poor for their livelihood; for this reason, it is recorded here.