Le Tour de Fleece 2007 - Home Page

Click the button above to go to the Tour de Fleece Blog entries

Announcements:

August 9th, 2007 (NEW)

• The 2007 Edition blog buttons for the Maillot Jaune and Prix de la Combativité for participants are now posted.

July 9th, 2007

• Per Cindy's request, The Other has added the Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt (available in several colours) to the CaféPress Tour de Fleece Store.  Katherine said she's happy to add more products to the store if people request particular items they're interested in buying, since the proceeds of the sales will be donated to the Dyana Afghan Women's Fund to support their charitable work in Afghanistan.
• Reminder (also from The Other) that the Home Page (this page) for the Tour de Fleece is where you end up first when you enter the site (either via www.TourDeFleece.com or the old URL wabisabi.typepad.com/le_tour_de_fleece); the Tour de Fleece Blog, where you'll find Katherine's progress updates, is linked off the Home Page in the sidebar (there are links to both the main blog page and to individual Recent Posts).

July 5th, 2007

• The Tour de Fleece 2007 shop at CaféPress is now up!  The proceeds of sales from the shop will be donated to Dyana Afghan Women's Fund.
• Le Tour de Fleece now has its own domain name (URL): you can link to it at www.TourDeFleece.com (the old URL still works, though, in case you have it bookmarked).
• Along with the domain, there's a new Tour de Fleece specific e-mail address too -- you can send me messages via Katherine AT TourDeFleece DOT com (you know to replace the AT and DOT with the appropriate punctuation, right?  Sigh... spammers).  A button to click to send e-mail is being added to the sidebar.

Introduction

Welcome to the 2007 edition of Wabi Sabi's Tour de Fleece spinning challenge.  For those who participated in last year's Tour de Fleece 2006, it's much the same, only a little bit more low-key.

Eligibility:  Any spinner who would like to take on a spinning challenge during the 2007 Tour de France bicycle race.

Concept:  You will set yourself a personal spinning challenge.  You will begin spinning on the first stage of the Tour (July 7th), and finish on or before the last stage (July 29th).  You, of course, may spin on those days designated rest days for the riders.

Rules:

1.  The idea is to set yourself a challenge.  It doesn't matter what the challenge is -- it could be spinning fine for the first time, or producing an artsy fartsy yarn as an exercise, it could be spinning enough for a specific project.  If you've always wanted to spin a little every day (say, a spinning meditation practice), but never seem to find time for it, perhaps that could be the challenge -- spinning every morning of the tour.  What matters is you set out the challenge, and meet it during the specified time.

2.  There will be no spinning before the start of the first stage.

3.  You must finish spinning before the last stage ends.

4.  You may sample and do other research as needed beforehand if it helps you decide on your challenge, or will help provide you the tools and information you need to meet the challenge.

The Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey)

As much as I enjoy the different categories of the Tour de France, for the purposes of the Tour de Fleece, there is only one option -- the Maillot Jaune (Yellow Jersey).  Either you meet your challenge, or you don't.

Finishers will get a button for their blog, which will be essentially the same as last year's version.  Of course, there is the immense pride in undertaking the Tour and riding -- er -- spinning to completion.

Entering the Tour de Fleece 2007

To enter the Tour de Fleece 2007 spinning challenge, please leave a comment stating your name (nicknames are acceptable) and the URL for your blog or the webpage where you'll be reporting your spinning progress during the running of this year's Tour de France bicycle race.  You can also submit your entry by e-mail via the link in the sidebar -- make sure you put "Tour de Fleece" in the subject line.

Entries will be posted below -- please check the list for your entry, allowing a couple of days from the time you submit it for me to update the list.  If you haven't been added to the list of participants after a few days, please let me know in the comments or by e-mail as I may have missed seeing it the first time around.

There is no deadline for entering the Tour de Fleece this year -- if you discover us a week into the event, feel free to join in, and set a goal you think you can reach in the time remaining.

Participants list

Here are the spinners participating in the Tour de Fleece 2007, listed in alphabetical order (er, well, except for me that is... to make it easier for you to check that I didn't miss your entry):

• Katherine (the Tour de Fleece's organizer) -- blog: Wabi Sabi
• Anj -- blog: Purlewe
• Barb -- blog: Wingsandstrings
• Becky -- blog: So many hobbies!
• Beverly -- blog: PoMo Golightly
• Cassa -- blog:  Spinning A Yarn:  Orchid's Knit Spot
• Chelsea -- blog: Spinning Mom of 3
• Cheri -- blog: Blogging Opie
• Cindy -- blog:  Fitter Knitter
• Cj -- blog: Siege
• Counry Mouse -- blog:  Whatever Works
• d2 -- blog: ???
• Debbie -- blog:  Miss Malarkey
• Elizabeth -- blog: Trailing Yarn
• Heather -- blog: SnerKnits
• Helen -- blog: The back of the sofa
• Holly (1) -- blog: ProseKnitic - of Words and Woll
• Holly (2) -- blog: renglass
• Jenger -- blog: Knitted Specks
• Jessica -- blog: Rose-Kim Knits
• Jen -- blog: Knitting Under the Influence
• Jo -- blog:  Half A Sheep
• Julie -- blog:  tisjewel
• Karen -- blog: Wooly-minded
• Kate -- blog: Dove Cottage
• Kathie -- blog:  Snowleaf Studio
• KatyaR -- blog: Plains Girl
• LaRue -- blog: ???
• Laurie -- blog:  Feeling a Bit Sheepish
• Lilian -- blog:  Thread or Yarn
• Lily -- blog: Sticks n' Spin
• Lynn in Tucson -- blog: ???
• Marilyn -- blog:  The Knitting Curmudgeon
• Mary -- blog: Cat's Fiber Adventures
• Michele -- blog: Milagro Garden
• MIchelle -- blog:  Wooldancer
• Mims -- blog: k2tog - A knitting blog
• Morgan -- blog: Fibre Addict
• Nancy -- blog: Knitting on a Bus
• Nishanna -- blog: Nishanna likes to knit
• NJStacie -- blog: From Boston to Algiers
• Rae -- blog: Extravayarnza
• Rochelle -- blog:  Yosemites Knitting Addiction
• Sam -- blog: KnitMe
• Sarah -- blog: Zeitgeist
• Stephanie -- blog: SometimesSheKnits
• Ted -- blog: Knitterguy
• Treesa -- blog:  Semper Knits
• Wendy -- blog: Lanas de Libélula

The idea is that we'll all post our progress on our blogs, but don't worry if you don't have a blog -- feel free to share your progress in the comments here on the Tour de Fleece blog!

Participant's Badge

All participants are encouraged to spread the word about the Tour de Fleece, and can post a copy of this badge on their blog with a link back to this site:

Note: Please download a copy of the badge to your PC by right-clicking on the badge and selecting "Save image as..." (or whatever equivalent term your browser/OS uses...); then upload the image file to your blog.  Thanks!

The Tour de Fleece Blog

Click here for the Tour de Fleece 2007 blog.

Didn't participate last year?  Just want to revisit everyone's progress from the first event?  You can also go back to the blog for the 2006 Tour de Fleece.

Comments

[CJ]

I just realized that the Tour starts on Saturday! I haven't come up with my challenge yet, but count me in for the ride. Thanks!

[d2]

I'm in!

[Morgan]

please enter me!

My goal is to spin 11 hours during the tour!

[elizabeth]

Sure, count me in too! My goal is to make a dent in my fiber stash!

[katherine]

Super, everyone! Thanks for signing up, and good luck with the goals!

[Sarah]

I'm in - I'll figure out what my goal is and post it soon.

[Jenger]

is a cafe press store going to be set up for the Tour de Fleece? i loved the items in last years store.

[katherine]

Yes, that's on the To Do list, we just have to update the graphic. As with all my CafePress stuff, and just like last year, any profits from it will go to the Dyana Afghan Women's Fund (I'll write more about this once it's done.)

[Lily]

Card the llama fleece from my friend.
Spin meditation: spinning each day for relaxation and practice.

[laurie]

count me in again :-) spinning for a project this time...more info on my blog (once i resurrect it...it's been a weird spring) soonish

thanks for organizing this again :-)

[Julie (tisjewel)]

Count me in!

[Lillian]

I'm in. I plan to ply up the laceweight I spun for Tour de Fleece 2006.

[Wendy]

I'm game! (I could have sworn I left a comment before, but I'm such a spaaz I probably left it on the old blog).

Wendy, reporting progress at:
http://lanasdelibelula.com/blog

Thanks!

[Treesa]

OOOHHH!!! sounds like fun! Count me in! I need to get on track somehow, and this seems to be the way to try. I have 3 unprocessed fleeces to do, 2 processed and I don't know how many balls, bags and bundles of stuff to spin.

[Rochelle]

I am going to give this a try. I need to get back into spinning. My goal will be to spin a minimum of 1 hour each day during the tour.

[Kate]

My goal will be to do some spinning, whether on wheel or spindle, for at least 30 minutes every day.

[Kathie]

Please add me too. I know I asked to be added a week and a half ago, but I'm not seeing my name on the list, so asking again to be safe. Thanks so much!

[Jenger]

Do we post our goal on here or just on our blog? This page probably tells, but I am getting ready to head off to work. I have decided to change my goal from spinning a lbs of wensleydale to spinning as much as i can that will ply into a worsted weight yarn. This is a real challange since my default spinning weith is fingering to sport.

[Stephanie]

Count me in! Yikes, it starts tomorrow! I was already thinking I need to do some more spinning this summer. My goal(s) - spin a little every day, and try 3 new types of fiber (one for each week of the tour).

[Holly]

This sounds great and a wonderful motivation to actually do some spinning. My goal to spin at least half of the 2 lbs of white superwash to get it ready for dyeing.

[NJStacie]

Sounds great - and I'm in just hours away from the start!

[katherine]

Okay, I think we've got everyone listed, and it's Saturday morning, and we're off!

I'll be sitting down in an hour and a half to watch CanalEvasion's coverage live from London!

[(Blogless) Lynn in Tucson]

I'm spindling home-dyed roving (two colorways) for a pair of socks. I'd like to start knitting the socks when we leave for vacation in August. Oh, and I'm shopping for a wheel - does that count? ;-)

[jen]

I had no idea of this until I saw it on another's blog. This would get a lot of roving spun up for my use. I need a little discipline!

[Country Mouse]

I'd like to sign up for the Tour de Fleece. I'll be spinning a bit daily on my first spinning project.

[katherine]

Welcome all the last minute sign-ups, and good luck over the next three weeks!

Lynn, shopping for a spinning wheel sounds like a good goal in my book -- hope you find one that suits your needs.

I didn't get time to blog the Tour today, but I will either tomorrow or Monday. I *did* take a "before" picture of my project, though...

[Michele]

Hooray, Just in the knick of time!
Please add me too!

I have some Fleece Artist ready to go.

[Jenger]

I had a blow out the first day. The Wensleydale I was "riding" was so chock full of vm that I could not hand card it all out. I am on to my spare "bike". I will keep up dates on my spinning adventures on my blog.

[Becky]

Please include me. I sent an email a while ago but it must not have gone through. I'm working my way through a Cormo fleece I bought Memorial weekend and interspersing dyed roving so I don't get bored. Woot!

[Nancy]

I just found this actual site now. Count me in,,, as I have already started spinning on 7/7 a Merino/Mohair mix that I've been working on to be a laceweight! Definite challenge for me!

[Cindy]

Tour de Fleece
I'm in. I have a pound or so of wool I have dyed just for this occasion. I'll be spinning it with a cotton thread. I've never done this before.

[Cindy]

In reference to the shipt.
Can you add some other shirts? Like the woman's cap sleeve. That way I can wear it almost anywhere.

[katherine]

Hi, Cindy -- got you on the list now! I'll ask my husband, who set up the CafePress stuff, to see about adding the shirt your interested in when he gets home from work this evening. IIRC, it shouldn't be a problem to add it.

[Sam]

Would it also be possible to add the "women's custom light t-shirt" to the line up? It's a good, average size fit that might be good on a lot of people, including me, and a nice weight for summer spinning. In the alternative, maybe the tank top? ;-) Thanks.

[The Other]

Sam,

Katherine mentioned your request to me and I have added the Women's Light T-Shirt (choice of three light colours) to the Tour de Fleece 2007 CaféPress store.

T.O. (aka Rob)

[Sam]

Thanks, Rob, but, oops, I was hoping to get the women's version of that light t-shirt, given that I'm a she-Sam. ;-) Is that possible, or are you just sick of the requests now? ;-) Thanks in advance if you can, and no worries if you can't!

[The Other]

Hi Sam,

Check this URL for the page with the women's version of the light t-shirt: www.cafepress.com/tdf_2007.150864186

If you go to the store's page, the women's light t-shirt is in the middle of the row with the yellow and green women's t-shirts; the men's light t-shirt is at the right hand end of the next row down from that one.

If you still can't find it on the store page, you may need to reload the page in case the old version is cached.

T.O. (aka Rob)

[The Other]

That URL was supposed to be a link...

http://www.cafepress.com/tdf_2007.150864186

Let's see if it works this time.

T.O. (aka Rob)