Ariadne was here!

Why do spiders do this on cold frosty nights?  There can't be any flying insects to catch surely. Perhaps it's just to practice and keep their hands spinnarets in. I really would like to know.

In searching for an explanation I discovered that spider web cloth has long been fabricated in the South Pacific and in Madagascar, for specific purposes, and more recently a gorgeous dress, now in the V&A, London,  was made from the silk of the Golden Orb Weaver spider. (No spiders were harmed in the process, apparently).
 See here and here for more about this.

I've discovered too that there's a book on the subject of spiders and their silk which I'm putting on my wish list.
http://strangeattractor.co.uk/shoppe/gossamer-days/