The Wheel and Anvil

09/16/2026

*shakes fist at the sky*

How did this error slip by me?! I noticed it and triple checked it and couldn’t see the error, so I thought it was just an irregular beat of the weft yarn that would even out in the wash.

There will only be two of these to sell, now. I might keep this one OR, since this is definitely not the last mistake I’ll make, maybe I’ll set it aside and one day sell a set of “mistakes” at a discount 😆

09/12/2026

Ouch.

Guess I need to be more careful going through my bin of buttons. Granny left me a few b***y traps 😆

09/12/2026

Draft 7 (of 7) is so subtle compared to draft 6. At least, until the light hits it just right 🤩

09/07/2026

A new blog entry -- the first in quite some time!

Some experimenting on dyeing a yarn of mixed protein and cellulose fibers with fiber reactive dye.

An experiment of dyeing yarn with a mix of protein and cellulose fibers with fiber reactive dyes.

09/02/2026

Have you ever had a fiber that you almost quit spinning because it just didn’t seem worth it?

That’s how I was feeling about this Targhee sliver as I spun up this first 4oz. It was advertised as 21 micron (pretty darn soft) with a little VM but it felt like 30 micron (pretty dang coarse) with A LOT of VM that I was having to pick out. But I decided to finish the 4oz and chain ply it, and I could at least use it for some dye sampling.

Then the magic happened. When I plied it, it bloomed and softened and now, well, now I’m kind of in love with it! 🥰 There is still more VM than I’d prefer but I’ve tried to get out anything that you can feel. I think I’ll be saving this for weaving ponchos or selling at reduced cost with full disclosure because honestly, it is still so worthy of being loved and put to good use!

09/01/2026

It’s the end of August and my mind is turning to projects for the upcoming season. As the days of rain and snow approach, working with lively colors really helps me brighten the days!

Tried out a few combinations of fiber reactive dyes on this beautiful blend of merino, silk, tencel because I can’t justify buying acid dyes to do the same job. Plus, I have a finite amount of storage to work with 🤣 I still use an acid to fix the dye, along with salt and heat, and have had good results in the past.

These will cool over night and get rinsed tomorrow. I expect some wash out but not a lot. Tomorrow will tell!

08/28/2026

“Feeling Elvish” is live in the shop! Only two hanks of this luxury blend, handspun yarn are available!

Plus, this weekend only, 20% off handwoven garments! No coupon code necessary. Get ready for crisp mornings and fall colors in these one-of-a-kind ponchos and shawls ❤️❤️❤️

www.thewheelandanvil.com

Send a message to learn more

08/23/2026

Still needs washing & setting but ooo la la!! 8oz of Merino, silk, and camel blend make this almost 600 yards of lustrous, chain-plied yarn so freaking soft!

Almost finished plying the other 8oz. Half will be for weaving, the other half for sale in 4oz hanks.

This colorway was called “Rivendell”, dyed by Greenwood Fiberworks . I could NOT pass it up!