Travel Spindles for Tour de Fleece: 3 Things to Know

Tour de Fleece is upon us! I hope you are ready to join the fun! Every summer I look forward to this event. Spinners join teams for motivation and community, set aside time for spinning, and watch the cyclists race through scenic backdrops. There’s no pressure—just spinning when you can, and wherever you can. You can still have plenty of fun on the tour, even on the go.

For me, the Tour de Fleece often overlaps with my family’s annual trip to visit my in-laws. This means a 19-hour drive or a 3-hour flight each way. And while I love spinning on my wheels, I especially look forward to bringing several supported spindles with me. I keep them nearby, ready to go in case of an unexpected delay.

Spinning on my supported spindles makes the travel time feel shorter, and the resulting yarns are beautiful and memorable. I prepare in advance by lining up my collection of supported spindles and thoughtfully choosing my companions for the journey. These are my top three considerations when choosing a supported spindle for the Tour especially for summer vacation.

A takli’s small size and sleek shape make it a perfect travel companion, saving space for fiber and other spindles.

1. Portability

While most supported spindles are portable, some are more travel-friendly than others. For a long road trip, I prefer spindles with a shaft length of 10" or less— they’re easier to pack and fit neatly into a small bag. Perfect for a bit of rest-stop spinning. In contrast, spindles with large whorls and longer shafts can be more difficult to pack and are more prone to damage when traveling.

Heavenly spins a wool and alpaca blend on her favorite Russian-wand spindle.

2. Familiarity

My favorite supported spindles for the Tour de Fleece are the ones I’ve spent the most time with. I simply can’t imagine leaving home without them. These are the spindles I’ve paired with a favorite bowl or the ones that spin well on a variety of surfaces without compromising the quality of spun yarn. There’s something about spinning with a familiar supported spindle—it makes the experience feel effortless and even more enjoyable and productive. I often have favorite fibers or blends that pair well with each spindle, making it easy to jump right into spinning.

Choosing a spindle with a long spin time can increase productivity and reduce fatigue.

3. Productivity

For me, productivity and fun go hand in hand. The spindles that help me spin more yarn in less time is a bonus especially while traveling during the Tour de Fleece. Some of my personal goals often include current WIPs and larger projects, so every yard gets me one step closer to the finished yarn. To achieve this, I often turn to glass-tipped spindles and those with ball bearings. They offer longer spin times, allowing for extended drafting and reduced hand fatigue compared to spindles that require frequent flicking to stay in motion.

There’s no need to set the Tour aside while you travel. All it takes is a little bit of time, fiber, and a trusted supported spindle as a companion. Even in motion, there’s space for stillness—and for spinning. This year’s Tour dates are July 5–27. I hope you’ll join us on the journey!

Heavenly Bresser is an award-winning handspinner, a spinning-wheel restorer, and an international fiber-arts instructor. Some of her areas of passion include the love for working with color, working from fleece, and researching historical information for antique spinning wheels.