Tour de Fleece is an annual event for hand spinners that coincides with the Tour de France, the famous multi-stage bicycle race. During Tour de Fleece, spinners challenge themselves to spin yarn each day that the cyclists are riding, often setting personal goals to achieve by the end of the race. The idea is to focus on spinning, learn new skills, and enjoy the community of others who share the passion for handspinning and the fibre arts. Spinners often join teams, share their progress online, and encourage one another, mirroring the community aspect of the cycling event it runs alongside.
If this is your first time hearing about Tour de Fleece, here’s what it’s all about:
- The Tour de Fleece (TdF) runs alongside the Tour de France. Spinners spin along the same dates as the cyclists of the Tour de France.
- On Ravelry or other fibre websites, you may see teams that set goals, offer prizes, and post results at the end of the race.
- Some spinners also continue the spinning fun as part of Tour de Fleece Femmes (TdFF) which takes place during the Tour de France Femmes. This starts at the end of Tour de France.
Hand-Dyed Spinning Fibres
To help you get ready for all of the spinning fun, explore SweetGeorgia hand-dyed spinning fibre bases: BFL+Silk, Corriedale, Polwarth+Silk, Targhee, and our new Trifecta fibre base. With a range of colourway options for each base, it can be fun to try spinning a fibre blend you’ve yet to try.
We’ve also celebrated by exploring limited-edition fibre colourways. Explore Colour Collab, a collection of colourways created in collaboration with School of SweetGeorgia spinning instructors, and Butterfly Garden, a limited-edition colourway created specially for Tour de Fleece 2025 (update: no longer available).
Spin with SweetGeorgia for Tour de Fleece
Choose your own spinning goals for the duration of the Tour de Fleece. These goals can vary widely depending on your skill level, time availability, and personal aspirations. Some spinners may aim to spin a certain amount of yardage, others might focus on mastering a new spinning technique, and some might simply commit to spinning a few minutes every day of the Tour.
For our 2024 Tour de Fleece, Felicia spoke about spinning a new-to-her wool fibre — Charollais. Perhaps consider spinning a new fibre this year.
We love the idea of spinning every day but prefer to keep it pressure-free. As in past years, we’re an unofficial group. We don’t post goals or give out prizes. Instead, we encourage each other to spend a little time spinning every day for most of July. The heart of Tour de Fleece has always been about the love of spinning. We focus on having fun, loving the fibre arts, and enjoying the company of our community.
All spinning styles are welcome: wheels, e-Spinners and all types of spindles as well as all fibre types!
Tour de Fleece Dates
Just like the cyclists, we have challenge days and rest days. On challenge days, set something up for yourself, like trying a new technique or spinning a new-to-you fibre—it’s up to you! And after each challenge day, there will be a day to rest.
For 2026, the Tour de France starts on Saturday, July 4 and runs until Sunday, July 26.
- Challenge Days: TBC
- Rest Days: TBC
We have a few places you can share your progress: at the new SweetGeorgia Community space, in the School of SweetGeorgia Community Forums (for SOS All-Access members), or share with us at our SweetGeorgia Ravelry group.
Throughout the event, spinners also share their progress, challenges, and successes on Instagram and Ravelry using hashtags like #TourdeFleece, #TdF2025, or #TdFF2025.
Tour de Fleece Femmes Dates
Keep up with your spinning habits and continue the handspun journey during the women’s Tour de France Femmes race. For anyone interested in taking part in this challenge, Tour de France Femmes starts on Saturday, August 1 and runs until Sunday, August 9. Challenge Day is: TBC.
Tour de Fleece Online Meetups
We will have a few online meetups planned for our SweetGeorgia Community and School of SweetGeorgia members where spinners can gather to chat, connect, and share their Tour de Fleece progress. Links will be added here once new dates are confirmed closer to the 2026 event.
You can also find further information about Tour de Fleece and the groups participating at Ravelry.
If you are active on social media, please tag us with @sweetgeorgia and @schoolofsweetgeorgia. Also, use the hashtags #sweetgeorgiayarns, #sosspinning, #schoolofsweetgeorgia, and #tourdefleece2025. We love to be inspired by your photos, share in your wins and encourage you through your challenges.
Gather your fibre and plan your Tour de Fleece goals — we look forward to spinning together again soon!
