Every July, thousands of spinners around the world gather for one of my favourite fibre celebrations: Tour de Fleece.
Just like the cyclists in the Tour de France ride each day, we spin each day. It isn’t about spinning the most yarn or owning the fanciest wheel. It’s about showing up, building a habit, and enjoying the journey one length of fibre at a time.
As I prepare for this year’s Tour, I’ve settled into five simple daily steps that help me begin each spinning session with intention.
1. Set Up Your Hydration
Before the fibre comes out, I reach for my water.
Spinning is wonderfully absorbing. It’s easy to lose track of time and realize an hour later that you haven’t had a sip to drink.
Having water, tea, or another favourite drink beside you is a gentle reminder to care for yourself while you create.
Think of hydration as caring for the spinner—not just the spinning.
2. Set a Spinning Timer
One of the biggest myths is that you need hours to make progress.
You don’t.
I like to set a timer—sometimes just 20 or 30 minutes.
When the timer starts, all I have to do is spin. No pressure to finish a bobbin. No expectation of perfection.
Some days I’ll stop when the timer rings.
Other days I’ll keep going because I’m enjoying myself.
The timer removes the guilt and replaces it with consistency.
3. Roll the Die
This might be my favourite part.
I keep a simple die beside my spinning supplies.
Each number represents a different spinning choice:
- a different fibre
- a different spindle
- a wheel session
- plying
- sampling
- or even carding fibre
Rolling the die removes decision fatigue.
Instead of wondering what to work on, the decision is made for me—and it often leads to delightful surprises.
Sometimes creativity just needs permission to play.
4. Choose Your Spindle
Whether you’re spinning on a wheel or with spindles, today’s choice becomes today’s companion.
Maybe it’s your trusted favourite.
Maybe it’s the spindle that hasn’t been used in months.
Maybe it’s the beautiful handmade spindle you’ve been saving for “the right time.”
Today is the right time.
Every spindle teaches us something different, and part of the joy of Tour de Fleece is rediscovering the tools we already love.
5. Enjoy the Process
This may be the most important step of all.
Tour de Fleece isn’t really about finished skeins.
It’s about slowing down.
Feeling the fibre slip through your fingers.
Listening to the gentle hum of the wheel.
Watching singles slowly become yarn.
Celebrate the uneven yarn.
Celebrate the tiny victories.
Celebrate simply showing up.
Because every day you spend spinning is already a successful day.
See You on the Tour
This year I’m choosing progress over perfection.
One glass of water.
One timer.
One roll of the die.
One spindle.
One peaceful spinning session at a time.
I’ll be sharing my journey throughout Tour de Fleece 2026, and I’d love for you to spin along with me.
What spindle—or wheel—will you begin the Tour with?
Blessings from Grannie Doll
Living the 100 mile path one spin at a time.
