I have a beautiful spinning wheel (Majacraft Suzie professional) that does not get enough use, despite being lovely to spin on. This year, as I am spending more time at home with the lockdown, I decided to get it out and join in the Tour de Fleece.
My Majacraft Suzie spinning wheel
For those who do not know what the Tour de Fleece is, it is a yearly event held on Ravelry that coincides with the Tour de France cycling race. The idea is to spin on everyday the tour races, challenging yourself on the challenge (normally mountainous) stages with a couple of rest days thrown in. I thought it had perhaps been a couple of years since I took part but looking back at my handspun stash, it turns out the last time I took part was 2014! Where did those six years go??? I am not sure I have spun anything since then so definitely time to get out the wheel and try to clear some WIPs.
Lace weight WIP single on spindle
Lace weight WIP single on wheel
My main aim was to finish the planned 2-ply lace weight WIP that has been on my spindle and wheel since 2013. This started as a beautiful hand carded batt from FeltStudioUK of superwash Merino wool, tussah silk and sparkle. I have not spun a lace weight yarn and this was going to be a challenge.
It took much longer than I thought to spin and took me most of the tour, however I now have 470m of a 2-ply lace weight yarn, with 35 WPI (wraps per inch) that fades from blue, to grey, to pink. I don’t know what I will make with it yet, but the pattern will need to be chosen carefully to show off the fade.
Finished skein of 2-ply lace weight yarn
After finishing my lace weight WIP, I had just three days left of the Tour to start a new spinning project. I chose this roving from KraftyKoala (who no longer appear to be trading). It is a Merion/nylon blend in colourway Waterlily.
KraftyKoala Waterlily roving
When I unravelled it, one third was a lovely maroon colour, one third green and the last third blue. I liked how it looked plaited up together so I decided to spin a chunky 3-ply yarn with each strand being a different colour.
Three spindles of singles ready to be plyed
I did not quite finish in time to coincide with the end of the Tour, but a couple of days later I finished it off and now it is 45m of chunky yarn with 7 WPI. I have no plans for this skein either yet, however I think it will need to be something in stocking stitch to show off the three strands of colour. Perhaps a hat or fingerless mittens.
Finished 3-ply chunky yarn
I am very pleased with my handspun skeins, however also pleased to have a break (hopefully not another six years!) from spinning as my hands were very sore with doing something they are not used to. I did enjoy spinning sitting out in the garden in the sunshine listening to an audiobook (The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien) so if the Yorkshire weather decides to return to summer, I may well start something new.
My two finished Tour de Fleece skeins