Witnessing a Miracle

I am back to caterpillars again because this was such an amazing event to watch: this creature is spinning a silk harness to anchor himself to the stick. Over the past few weeks, I've learned to interpret some behaviors, and this time when he stopped eating and found a vertical surface, I was ready and lucky enough to be able to watch him work. I still don't understand how this all comes together, but I can see him flinging his head from side to side as he puts out the fine ropes than lash him to the stick; he is simultaneously spinning, weaving, and tying knots. It is very vigorous hard work. He has already secreted something to hold his tail down, and now he is secure. Both of us are waiting for the next stage, the formation of the chrysalis. I have never seen this change happen and I am checking hourly for any progress.