Arachne, a mortal woman, was praised to be the best weaver among man. She foolishly challenges Athena, the goddess of handicraft among other things, and Arachne loses. Athena punishes her by turning her into a spider to live the rest of her existence weaving.
Ariadne was in love with Theseus. When he is challenged by her father the king to navigate the maze and kill the Minotaur, she spins a ball of yarn so that he can lay a trail to help him get out.