The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

BIRTH; DETERMINING SEX OF UNBORN CHILD

I REMEMBER ONE THING THAT WAS REALLY PRETTY SILLY, THAT ALL THE
GIRLS DID WHEN THEY WERE PREGNANT TO SUPPOSEDLY TELL IF THE
BABY WAS TO BE A BOY OR A GIRL. WE'D THREAD A NEEDLE AND LET
IT SWING ON ITS OWN INTO MAKING A CIRCLE OR AN OVAL SHAPE IN
THE SWINGS. SUPPOSEDLY SOME SPIRIT OR THE CHILD ITSELF WAS
DIRECTING THE SWING OF THE NEEDLE, AND IF THE NEEDLE MADE A
CIRCLE, THE BABY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A GIRL AND AN OVAL WAS
AN INDICATION OF A BOY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

James Callow Keyword(s): ANAPEL