Weaving A Yarn
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
Weaving A Yarn (R8x32) Graham Quartly, 6 Dances From Devon & Cornwall1- 8 1c dance a figure of 8 around 2nd couple, ending in middle both hands joined
9-12 1c slip step down to below 3rd couple and set, whilst 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross right hand
13-16 1c slip step up to original place and set, whilst 2nd and 3rd couples set and cross right hand
17-20 1c use 4 bars to cast to 2nd place, with 2nd couple stepping up on bars 19-20
21-24 1M with 3rd couple dances right hands across, whilst 1L with 2nd couple does the same
25-32 All circle to the left and back.
(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Graham Quartly, 2026)
Dance Notes
The first 8 bars represents the tying on of the yarn, and then the second 8 echoes the "shuttle" movement from "The Kiltmaker" (but without quite so far to go).After that, dance instructors are welcome to spin their own tale over the interpretation of the movements!
(Dance notes by the deviser, Graham Quartly, 2026)
Dance Information
The title "Weaving A Yarn" plays on two meanings of "yarn": spun thread used in weaving and, informally, a story or tale."To spin a yarn" similarly means both to produce yarn by twisting fibres into thread and, figuratively, to tell a story.
The figurative use of "yarn" to mean a story developed from the word's earlier meaning of spun fibre.
The title therefore combines the weaving imagery represented in the dance with the idea of telling a tale.
Published in Weaving A Yarn, reproduced here with the kind permission of the deviser, Graham Quartly.
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