1. Definition and function
The word Spinnstube means both a room set aside for spinning and a rural European custom during winter evenings, observed primarily from the 16th century until the 19th century, but continued in places until WWI. The Spinnstube combined work with sociability: family, friends, and neighbors met to spin yarn or engage in other handwork. The various German-speaking regions had different terms for a Spinnst…