A Priest Crafts – Episode 3: TDF is coming!

I wanted to do a short vlog while I am down south on fast internet, and it’s turning out quite short! Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess.

In this video I talk about Tour de Fleece – that’s when yarn spinners around the world rally around the awesome cyclists pushing themselves to the limit in France, by pushing our spinning skills to new heights.

I’ve always wanted to participate, but I haven’t managed to get it together enough to plan my project. This year I have the additional stumbling block of traveling for the first third of the Tour, but in the video I talk about how I’ve structured my Tour spin around overcoming this obstacle!

The Tour is July 1-23, and we follow the rest days and challenge days as well. I’ll be migrating the first rest day from July 10th to July 7th, since I’ll spend that entire day in airplanes, and I’m not going to test my luck by putting an antique wheel in my carry-on.

My current spin is 50/50 BFL/Tussah silk from Woolgatherings, in the colorway “Modern Love.” Purchased less than a month ago at Cloverhill. I’m spinning it for a Navajo-ply worsted-ish weight, in the ridiculous hope that it will be enough for a circular shawl-vest for my 4 year old.

My TDF spin is the same fiber – 50/50 BFL/Tussah silk from Woolgatherings, purchased something like seven years ago at Cloverhill (under different management). I’ll be spinning it for a traditional 3-ply staggered gradient, worsted-ish weight.

As usual, I will imagine putting it into a fair isle sweater. As usual, it’ll be much better in a shawl.

My wheel is an antique castle wheel of unknown provenance, lovingly called “Doris,” and anyone with guesses as to her make, please let me know your thoughts!