Tour de Fleece

I had never heard of this event until this year, but apparently it is because I sometimes live with my head in a hole.  The Tour de Fleece has been an annual event for at least a decade, as far as I can tell, with many participants all over the world.  As you might guess by the name, it is meant to take place concurrently with the Tour de France...get it?  Spinning/spinning?  Well, it made me laugh and think it was such a clever and cute idea, I wanted to learn to spin something just so I could participate.  The idea is that you take time out of every day to spin some fiber.  You may only have ten minutes to spare, but that is completely okay.  There is a group on Ravelry for the event as well as competitions, so if that's your dish, you're in luck.  Also, just like in the bicycling Tour de France, you can join spinning teams.  It is really quite amazing.   I, however, just wanted to participate quietly on my own, especially since I am just learning and I am not even using a wheel.  I went the spindling route.  (Much cheaper and seemed like a logical place to start my handspun adventures.)   I get the impression, however, that the Tour de Fleece is a come-as-you-like type event, I feel like everyone is welcome however they spin.

I had a pile of fluff and a simple spindle I got in a goodie bag from a folk-fest, but I went ahead a bought myself a Louet bottom whorl spindle and some Blue Faced Leicester from The Woolery because it came recommended in the class I purchased on Craftsy.  (It is a great class called "Spindling: From Fluff to Stuff;" I feel like it really gave me a solid foundation to explore spindling. I have linked it here in case you'd like to check it out.)  My supplies cost less than $40 and I got my spindling class for $20, though if you are a beginner like me and not ready to spend a combined $60, there are a whole host of YouTube videos and DIY spindles that could make this an even cheaper place to start spinning.

Let me just say, the Tour de Fleece has been so much fun so far!  I am really digging this whole spindling thing.  I'm still not very good, but that will come with practice, I'm sure.  But there is just something so peaceful and zen about the whole process. It helps clear my mind and relax me, even when I only try spindling for five minutes.  And it is so easy to tote about, I can follow my kids around and still enjoy spinning.  They think it's fun to watch, too.  Bonus!  They don't mind at all that their crazy fiber loving mother has found another thing to play with.  

If there is a spinning bug, I think I've caught it.  I want to spin up enough of this mixed top to ply the yarn and maybe make a fisherman's cap.  That would be awesome.  So, this is going to be my first post on spinning- we will see where this Tour de Fleece takes me and what awaits beyond the July finish line.  

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