My knitting time has been shared somewhat with spinning time over the last week. Since I only started spinning at the tail end of last year, I hadn't really paid much attention to the Tour de Fleece before. That's an online event for spinners, whether wheel or spindle, that runs alongside the Tour de France. I'm not a cycling fan per se so don't follow the Tour de France, but the fibre-y version seemed like a fun way to practise and improve my drop spindling skills.
Along with the cycling event, the Tour de Fleece began on July 1st and runs until the 23rd, with rest days and challenge days that coincide too. Spinners can set their own targets and challenges and can spin as much or as little as they wish. Some people take part as a personal challenge, others join in groups or Teams on Ravelry or other websites. I'm spinning on Team Rookies on Ravelry.
Personally I decided to set myself a target of a minimum of 15 minutes spinning every day, and to learn to chain-ply, as so far I have only spun 2-ply yarn. I have exceeded the 15 minutes - actually I've been having to make myself put the spinning down and finish up some deadline knitting I needed to do! The first challenge day is tomorrow (Sunday July 9th) and I have a spindle full of roughly fingering weight singles of silver-grey Corriedale wool that I am going to try chain-plying.
Along with the cycling event, the Tour de Fleece began on July 1st and runs until the 23rd, with rest days and challenge days that coincide too. Spinners can set their own targets and challenges and can spin as much or as little as they wish. Some people take part as a personal challenge, others join in groups or Teams on Ravelry or other websites. I'm spinning on Team Rookies on Ravelry.
Personally I decided to set myself a target of a minimum of 15 minutes spinning every day, and to learn to chain-ply, as so far I have only spun 2-ply yarn. I have exceeded the 15 minutes - actually I've been having to make myself put the spinning down and finish up some deadline knitting I needed to do! The first challenge day is tomorrow (Sunday July 9th) and I have a spindle full of roughly fingering weight singles of silver-grey Corriedale wool that I am going to try chain-plying.
Ultimately I hope to end up with a chunky weight yarn that I have design plans for!
I also have a very fine merino-silk on a lighter spindle that I'm going to 2-ply, aiming for lace weight.
If I get chance later in the month, I have some purple and some multi-blue fibre that might get bumped up the spinning list too!
Are you taking part in the Tour de Fleece? What are you spinning?
I also have a very fine merino-silk on a lighter spindle that I'm going to 2-ply, aiming for lace weight.
If I get chance later in the month, I have some purple and some multi-blue fibre that might get bumped up the spinning list too!
Are you taking part in the Tour de Fleece? What are you spinning?
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