What metaphors are used in Spinners by Donna Jo Napoli?

The tailor has a gold ring with what looks like a ball of yarn on it to give his lover on their wedding day. On the day his daughter is born, the tailor gives the ring to his love. The woman arranges for the midwife to give the ring to her daughter when she is older. This ring is given to the tailor by Saskia on the second night she is to spin gold for the king.The ring becomes a metaphor of love travelling.