the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

  • Home
  • About
  • Tutorials/Patterns
  • Contact/Media
  • Gallery (outdoors)
  • Gallery (yarn)

Designing Stranded Motifs… Is Actually Rather Easy

May 13, 2014 by The Twisted Yarn 62 Comments

The only difficult things in knitting are the techniques you haven’t tried yet.

When I was a beginner, I looked at all that beautiful knitted colourwork out there – fairisle, especially – and I thought, ‘Well obviously, I could never do that‘. And so I couldn’t, right up to the moment when I picked up my needles and tried. Because let’s face it, less competent people than us have produced truly beautiful work.

And once I’d mastered stranded work (of which fairisle is an example), I got greedy, and wanted to design my own pieces. Using colourwork in knitting enables you to paint pictures with yarn – imagine the possibilities! Heaven! One of the results of my efforts was the header for this blog. 🙂 I became a stranded addict, and learned a thing or two along the way, a few principles that I want to share with you in this post. But most of all, I learned that it’s not difficult. I’m nowt special in the knitting world: I’ve frogged projects a-plenty, and I have a shameful criminal record with the Knitting Police (though I still maintain that it was a stitch-up). So if I can design and make lovely designs, then so can you. Here’s what you need to know:-

For this post, I’m assuming that you’ve mastered stranded/fairisle knitting, so I won’t be covering how to do that. If you haven’t, take some spare yarn and go and experiment. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. I’m also assuming that you can read knitting charts. This post is purely about how to design new work. You with me? You’re sure? Right, let’s do this. 🙂

So, to work. Traditional fairisle (and to be honest, any half-sensible stranded design) involves only two colours of yarn per row. You can change colours in different rows, you can use variegated yarn, but just don’t risk insanity or over-thick fabric by exceeding two strands per row. And remember you’ll be carrying the inactive yarn across the back of the work as a ‘float’. Overlong floats are not clever, especially in work that’ll take a lot of abuse, such as a garment of clothing. To avoid this problem, you can either ensure regular switching between colours (perhaps using just occasional dots of colour B if you’ve got a large area of colour A, as I did in portions of my blog header), or you can catch the inactive yarn behind the main yarn at regular intervals. Consider yourself warned. I wouldn’t leave a float of more than three stitches for clothing such as my skirt, or five stitches for something that’ll take less abuse, such as this cushion. But that’s just me: you wields da needles, you makes da rules.

The final thing to remember when designing is that knit stitches aren’t square. Do not, (she says with an ultra-stern face,) design your motif using standard square graph paper. Knit stitches are wider than they are high, so you’ll end up with a weird elongated design that’ll make you frown. For this reason, knitter’s graph paper is readily available online for free. (There are design programmes, too, but for my lack-of-money, nothing beats pencil-and-eraser for the design process.) Here’s an illustration. In the picture below, the inner square has been drawn on both normal (square) graph paper and knitter’s paper. I’ve knitted up both designs, and look! The knitted square on the left (normal square graph paper) is, well, not remotely square. It’s much wider than it is high. The Knitting Police would be unamused. But in the piece on the right (knitter’s graph paper), the square I’ve drawn becomes the square I’ve knitted. Success.

image

You see? Yes?

OK, onwards.

The above is a very simple design, but I want to encourage you to knit anything. Imagine the freedom! I recommend first sketching out the outline of the picture/design you want to create using knitter’s graph paper, then filling in the dots in appropriate colours. In the design below, you’ll see I do literally use dots in each square, because if I just coloured in the whole area for a particular yarn, it would be hard to count how many stitches to knit in each colour. Trust me, I learned this the hard way. (Heavy sigh.)

So, for this post, I decided to create a leafy design. I first sketched it out on knitter’s graph paper. I then translated it into dots. Looking at the design, I spotted some over-long floats so I added a few dots of green to break up long lines of the background colour. So, here’s the dotted design, ready to knit:-

template for leaf design
template for leaf design

Honestly, it was so much fun creating even this simple design. The freedom! The possibilities!

Then, the knitting. And I’ve included an image of the original sketch that became the dotted motif. OK, so I coloured it in: so sue me. Usually I’d just sketch an outline, then fill in the dots.

stranded leaf design
stranded leaf design

When designing, try to avoid long vertical lines, as you can sometimes end up with an unsightly gap between your two colours. Diagonals are always better. That said, I seem to have got away with it in the above examples: rules are there to be broken.

And of course, you can add text. Here’s another example of a design I sketched then knitted. I’ve doodled my own designs above and below the writing, but if you’re interested, there are books and websites available full of traditional fairisle/stranded motifs. Repetitive designs are generally a good way of ensuring you avoid over-long floats. Obviously, using text risks breaking the no-verticals rule, but I got round this when designing my blog header by using italic text.

designing text in stranded knitting
designing text in stranded knitting

And that pretty much covers the basics. As I’d advise for any technique, practise using spare yarn, and have fun. You won’t regret it.

Coming soon: how to steek (fearlessly and sober).

 

www.deramores.com/blog-awards: This blog entry is my submission to the Deramores Blog Awards 2014. Deramores is the UK’s number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: Deramores, designing fairisle, designing stranded, fairisle, stranded, stranded knitting, tutorial

« Vest tops and rainbows
Spring stitchery »

Comments

  1. Polo says

    May 13, 2014 at 9:07 pm

    I love this post. Very interesting. I’ve designed intarsia-based colourwork but never much stranded stuff; I’ll have to give it a go.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 13, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Thank you. 🙂 I’ve always found stranded much easier than intarsia – I guess it’s a personal thing. But intarsia gives you even more flexibility in design terms, I assume?

      Reply
  2. Missy's Crafty Mess says

    May 13, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    Great post and very informative. It takes some of the fear away. 😉 thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 6:58 pm

      Thank you! Save the fear for any sabre-tooth tigers you happen to meet. This stuff is easy. 🙂

      Reply
      • Missy's Crafty Mess says

        May 15, 2014 at 7:17 pm

        I don’t know about saber tooth tigers but we have had mountain lions walking threw my Parent’s back 40. They used to throw used kitty litter in a low spot in their driveway and they have found big kitty foot prints in the mud around it. I’d love to get pictures of that & preferably ones taken through a glass window. I’d take a knitting challenge any day over a face to face on counter with any wild cat.

        Reply
  3. eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says

    May 13, 2014 at 10:15 pm

    A brilliant post. Really informative and I love your sense of humour too x

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 6:59 pm

      Thank you. 🙂 I do struggle to be serious for long. Your gift decoration post on your blog is fantastic and inspiring, by the way…

      Reply
  4. Chris @ makeandwear says

    May 13, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    Very nicely explained and illustrated 🙂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 7:00 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. KerryCan says

    May 14, 2014 at 10:01 am

    How cool! I don’t know anything about anything in knitting but I love the effect you get with this! And you do a great job of explaining and using your knitted examples to illustrate!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      Awwww, thank you, as always. 🙂

      Reply
  6. unaprune says

    May 14, 2014 at 10:59 am

    Great post – inspiring! Looking forward to your post on steeking – I am building up the courage to give it a go!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 6:55 pm

      Thank you. Steeking tutorial coming soon. It’s only scary until you try it.

      Reply
  7. sindhoooo says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    Oh! It seems very easy! Thanks for your easy tutorial… Love it!

    Regards,
    Sindhu
    Tantu
    The Arts & Me

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 6:54 pm

      Thank you! It really is that easy. Meanwhile, I love the inspiration on your blog. 🙂

      Reply
  8. sindhoooo says

    May 14, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    Hey, also, Best Wishes for the Contest 🙂 May you win!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 7:01 pm

      Thank you. The competition is tough….

      Reply
  9. lucyannluna says

    May 15, 2014 at 7:02 am

    Like the idea of knitters graph paper, might have ago at a my own design over the school hols, I’ve got a little caught up in double sided knitting, so the process should work for that too.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 15, 2014 at 7:03 pm

      Definitely give it a go! I’m so impressed by your double-sided knitting. (Love the Dr Who police box.) How is that even possible?!

      Reply
      • lucyannluna says

        May 15, 2014 at 7:09 pm

        You have 2 contrasting colours , so to start out all the blue stitches are knit & the white are purl, so it’s like ribbing. Then it gets a little more interesting. At least you do not have trialling bits on the back & less end sewing ( yippee). I’ve nearly finished Star Wars. You should give it a go.

        Reply
  10. threadandethel says

    May 15, 2014 at 11:18 pm

    Brilliant tutorial! I really have no desire to do intarsia, but I can totally get on board with Fair Isle and stranded color work. I’ve really only made one Fair Isle project, but I enjoyed it very much….don’t know why I haven’t tried it more. Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 17, 2014 at 6:40 am

      Fairisle/stranded is totally addictive…. I hope you do more. (And I’m with you on the intarsia-avoidance.)

      Reply
  11. gladeridercrafts says

    May 26, 2014 at 8:35 am

    Oh yeah, I learnt the don’t-use-solid-squares for patterns too! Although I hadn’t actually learnt it until you pointed it out- I was just getting annoyed at it!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 28, 2014 at 8:49 am

      🙂 It does make a big difference to the appearance of the finished work, definitely.

      Reply
  12. Judi says

    May 26, 2014 at 10:48 am

    I’ve always known there was a difference between regular and knitters graph paper, but I didn’t quite grasp what a difference it makes. Thanks!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 28, 2014 at 8:47 am

      Awwwww, thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Anonywitch says

    May 26, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    These look amazing, but I’m way intimidated to try this myself. Maybe this post will kick me into it.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2014 at 1:20 am

      Thank you. 🙂 It really isn’t difficult, I promise. Go for it!

      Reply
  14. iamsimplyhooked says

    May 27, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Love the leaf design and colours – do you have plans for it? Cushions??

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2014 at 9:19 am

      Thank you. Yes I think cushions would be the best use (once I’ve completed a million other projects!)

      Reply
  15. cowcockeygirl says

    May 27, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    I’ve always been too scared of colour work, but you make it look so easy and those wonderful results! I’m just gonna have to give it a go now 🙂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 28, 2014 at 8:47 am

      It really really really isn’t difficult. I was scared of it, too. Get some scrap yarn and play. I guarantee addiction will follow very shortly…

      Reply
      • cowcockeygirl says

        June 3, 2014 at 10:56 am

        You’ve got me, I’m gonna have to give it a try : D although I’m pretty sure it will take me an age to reach your incredible standard! Something to aim for 😉

        Reply
  16. knittingwithheart says

    May 29, 2014 at 12:18 am

    Totally <3 your header! 🙂 ❤ <3

    Reply
  17. carmenjorissen says

    May 30, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    Very nice! I didn’t know that knit stitches are wider than they are longer, good advice! I must admit that I have not really done any successful stranded knitting, but seeing your lovely designs makes me want to try again!

    Reply
  18. Sam says

    June 3, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Hello there, I’ve just popped over to congratulate you on winning the Deramores best undiscovered knitting blog, I won the crochet version and am so chuffed at being in such great company! The tips you’ve shared here are brilliant and as I’m just starting to get into fair isle knitting (I’m just at the very early stages) I’m sure I will be able to use your advice in future – I hope I can at least, yes I worry I won’t be able to ‘do it’. Well done, Sam xxxx

    Reply
  19. eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says

    June 3, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Yeah! Huge congratulations, so VERY well deserved x

    Reply
  20. fatblackcatjournal says

    June 15, 2014 at 11:38 pm

    ahh where did you get knitters graph paper? I used squared paper for my most recent foray into Sanquhar knitting and kept on having to tape more bits together…

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      June 17, 2014 at 7:27 am

      Hi! The paper I use is at theknittingsite.com, but if you Google ‘knitter’s graph paper’, you’ll find lots of options, including different options of length vs width proportions. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • fatblackcatjournal says

        June 17, 2014 at 12:03 pm

        ooh thanks! am going to play around with more Sanquhar patterns so will get some to help the playing!

        Reply
  21. fatblackcatjournal says

    June 15, 2014 at 11:43 pm

    ah.. I see you say there are free progs to print it … any preprinted versions? I will google

    Reply
  22. Limescented says

    June 17, 2014 at 1:38 pm

    Love this post! I’ve designed several stranded motifs of my own, by adding regular decreasing still confounds me. Of course it’s easy if there are large chunks in the background colour (you just place the decreases there), but incorporating decreases without distorting the pattern… well that’s the next step!

    Reply
  23. Limescented says

    June 17, 2014 at 1:39 pm

    Meant to say “but adding regular decreases still ….”

    Reply
  24. bangocrafts says

    June 20, 2014 at 7:58 am

    very inspiring. I might just pick up my old knitting needles again. Thanks a mill! 🙂

    Reply
  25. jengolightly says

    June 21, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    I must master Intarsia!!!

    Reply
  26. Sarah says

    July 7, 2014 at 10:40 am

    Can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  27. narf77 says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:38 pm

    Still afraid from heem…if anything, even MORE afraid from heem! 🙁

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  28. narf77 says

    December 16, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    Intarsia? Steeks? Have I landed in Oz?! (Going to hide under the bed now with my paper bag for hyperventilation purposes…)

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:50 pm

      Well just for the record, intarsia makes me hyperventilate too, but steeking is cool. Are you OK with that paper bag? *peers under bed* You can come out now – I promise not to do anything too scary with knitting needles…

      Reply
      • narf77 says

        December 17, 2014 at 12:53 am

        I don’t think I can have “steek” as a vegan…still under the bed but not hyperventilating too much…

        Reply
        • The Twisted Yarn says

          December 17, 2014 at 6:51 am

          *giggles at vegan steek* You sure you font want to come out from under that bed? It looks kinda squashed down there. I have biscuits….

          Reply
          • narf77 says

            December 17, 2014 at 10:48 am

            Just shove the bickies under the bed. I will work out how to snarf them through the paper bag (chocolate chip osmosis?!)…

            Reply
            • The Twisted Yarn says

              December 17, 2014 at 10:58 am

              Nah. No coming out, no biscuits.

              Reply
              • narf77 says

                December 17, 2014 at 5:39 pm

                🙁 (No biscuits, no increased derriere sizeage…always look for the silver lining! 😉 )

                Reply
                • The Twisted Yarn says

                  December 17, 2014 at 8:50 pm

                  Good reframing. 🙂 By the way, the weirdo called Phil who just sent you a FB friend request was me. Feel free to ignore. (I am quite weird.)

                • narf77 says

                  December 17, 2014 at 10:25 pm

                  HAHAHA You had better ask me again as Stevie-boy figured it was one of Paulines crazy men friends and deleted it. I will friend you “Phil” so long as you promise to teach me how to knit…er…second thoughts, that is seriously going to take some chutzpah! I will just have to trawl your backlogs and sniff around for the easiest stuff (do you EVER do easy stuff?!) to start on so that when I have to (inevitably) frog it, I won’t be yelling to loudly and upset the neighbours (1km away…)

  29. narf77 says

    June 7, 2015 at 6:44 am

    Back here for a second look at this post. Still fibs! 😉

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Catching up on my reading | Knitigating Circumstances says:
    June 20, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    […] a blog post into the Deramore’s Blog Awards, and won!  The winning post, which you can find here, is a very well-written and informative post about how to design stranded motifs for knitting.  If […]

    Reply
  2. The Ivy-Covered Camera Knitted Camera Strap That Sneaked In Ahead Of The Post About Crocheted Christmas Decorations | the twisted yarn says:
    December 16, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    […] abstract pattern. If you want to create your own design for this pattern, I’ve got some tips here. Being a stranded design, the resulting fabric feels quite thick, making for a nice comfortable […]

    Reply
  3. The Skirt Post | the twisted yarn says:
    May 3, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    […] two. You can see the design as I drew it out on paper in the picture below. (For once, I broke my cardinal rule about using knitter’s graph paper, but I wasn’t too fussed about the relative height and width of this motif, so it […]

    Reply
  4. Subverting The Medium Of Colourwork | the twisted yarn says:
    June 5, 2015 at 10:40 pm

    […] and doodle, and erase, and fetch green tea, and doodle, because I love the fun and the freedom of creating stranded designs. And eventually the green tea ran out, and I came up with […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

British Craft Awards 2017
crochet knitted ikea poang chair cover cottage house garden
Have a seat!

Recent makes:-

This is thetwistedyarn. Be afraid. Be very afraid...

thetwistedyarn

740 5,956

Knitting+silliness at thetwistedyarn.com.
NHS psychologist. Stranded knitting book out 2022. Stylecraft Blogstar. Runner. Garden @the.twisted.garden

Phil, knits+runs+cancer. 🇬🇧🇪🇺

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 15

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (link in bio). It was going yo be about knitting, but then I got carried away...

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (link in bio). It was going yo be about knitting, but then I got carried away... ...

218 7

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 18

Open
Half-way through the dragonfly motif on my Äkäslompolo cardigan. Speedy progress on knitting due to annoyingly slow progress on surgery recovery. Grrr....
.
.
.
.
#strikke #strikstrikstrik #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting #steek #steeking #novitaknits #novita #äkäslompolo #knitdesigner

Half-way through the dragonfly motif on my Äkäslompolo cardigan. Speedy progress on knitting due to annoyingly slow progress on surgery recovery. Grrr....
.
.
.
.
#strikke #strikstrikstrik #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting #steek #steeking #novitaknits #novita #äkäslompolo #knitdesigner
...

253 13

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 16

Open
Kittens sitting in the crocheted garden. By the way, someone pointed out that there's a fake account pretending to be me: it's at thetwistedyarn_  I can't view it because they've blocked me, but if any kind soul would be kind enough to report it, I'd be very grateful. Thank you, my Fine Fibrous Friends!

Kittens sitting in the crocheted garden. By the way, someone pointed out that there`s a fake account pretending to be me: it`s at thetwistedyarn_ I can`t view it because they`ve blocked me, but if any kind soul would be kind enough to report it, I`d be very grateful. Thank you, my Fine Fibrous Friends! ...

299 75

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 20

Open
Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post.

Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post. ...

212 6

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 25

Open
Another crochet-to-the-rescue post! Two days ago I had more surgery, to deal with the outcome of previous cancer-tackling surgery. They installed a clever wound-vaccuuming device which was fine but inconvenient to carry. So I crocheted a device-carrier and now, life is so much easier! Yarn by @stylecraftyarns .

Another crochet-to-the-rescue post! Two days ago I had more surgery, to deal with the outcome of previous cancer-tackling surgery. They installed a clever wound-vaccuuming device which was fine but inconvenient to carry. So I crocheted a device-carrier and now, life is so much easier! Yarn by @stylecraftyarns . ...

303 30

thetwistedyarn

View

May 9

Open
My implausibly awesome friend @buttonspickles has just published this sock pattern. This a woman who seriously knows her cables and her socks, so this pattern is worth checking out. There's a link in her bio for purchase.

My implausibly awesome friend @buttonspickles has just published this sock pattern. This a woman who seriously knows her cables and her socks, so this pattern is worth checking out. There`s a link in her bio for purchase. ...

109 4

thetwistedyarn

View

May 6

Open
Friday night post-work chillin'. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #Fairisle #fairiskefriday

Friday night post-work chillin`.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #Fairisle #fairiskefriday
...

319 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 31

Open
Progress.
.
@novitaknits
.
.
#steek #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #Fairisle #nevernotknitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner

Progress.
.
@novitaknits
.
.
#steek #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #Fairisle #nevernotknitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner
...

395 16

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 1

Open
Knitting and walking in the sunshine. ❤ 
.
.
.
#knitspo #knitspiration #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking  #nevernotknitting @novitaknits #novitaknits #knitdesigner

Knitting and walking in the sunshine. ❤
.
.
.
#knitspo #knitspiration #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #nevernotknitting @novitaknits #novitaknits #knitdesigner
...

130 2

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 16

Open
It's not often that my activities here and on my @the.twisted.garden page overlap, but sometimes you just need to crochet a hammock for your squash.

It`s not often that my activities here and on my @the.twisted.garden page overlap, but sometimes you just need to crochet a hammock for your squash. ...

221 20

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 22

Open
Knitting and walking in two colours at once. What could possibly go wrong...
.
Yarn is lovely @novitaknits
Merino 4ply.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #knitoutdoors #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #knitfairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #nevernotknitting

Knitting and walking in two colours at once. What could possibly go wrong...
.
Yarn is lovely @novitaknits
Merino 4ply.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #knitoutdoors #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #knitfairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #nevernotknitting
...

423 9

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 27

Open
Fancy a new cowl to help you brave all this pesky weather? Free pattern at thetwistedyarn.com or see link in my bio. Enjoy.
.
.

#stitchfiddle

Fancy a new cowl to help you brave all this pesky weather? Free pattern at thetwistedyarn.com or see link in my bio. Enjoy.
.
.

#stitchfiddle
...

368 20

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 14

Open
Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns

Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns ...

227 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 23

Open
We popped down to the New Forest for the day. The twinnage loved it. There was, of course, some knitting. 
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #knitspo #knitspiration #novitaknits #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning

We popped down to the New Forest for the day. The twinnage loved it. There was, of course, some knitting.
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #knitspo #knitspiration #novitaknits #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning
...

272 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Feb 5

Open
Today. I'm mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2). 
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner

Today. I`m mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2).
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner
...

146 2

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 15

Open
Whilst I recover from surgery, I'm knitting another Äkäslompolo cardigan (that I designed for @novitaknits yarns) because I want one to keep! Just started the armhole steeks. The thing about having a rubbish memory is that every instruction comes as a surprise, even though I wrote it. 
.
Pattern currently available in Finnish in the Novita magazine, but I'll be allowed to publish it in English in a couple of months' time. 
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #knitdesigner #fairisle #fairislefriday #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn #knitspo #knitspiration #novita #tricot #tricoter #steek #steeking #knitwear #stashknitting #handknit #handknitting #colourworkknitting #colorworkknitting #igknit #igknitters #strikstrikstrik #heirloomknits #knitting

Whilst I recover from surgery, I`m knitting another Äkäslompolo cardigan (that I designed for @novitaknits yarns) because I want one to keep! Just started the armhole steeks. The thing about having a rubbish memory is that every instruction comes as a surprise, even though I wrote it.
.
Pattern currently available in Finnish in the Novita magazine, but I`ll be allowed to publish it in English in a couple of months` time.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #knitdesigner #fairisle #fairislefriday #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn #knitspo #knitspiration #novita #tricot #tricoter #steek #steeking #knitwear #stashknitting #handknit #handknitting #colourworkknitting #colorworkknitting #igknit #igknitters #strikstrikstrik #heirloomknits #knitting
...

361 22

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 18

Open
I really should go indoors and do boring chores, but....
.
.
.
.
.
#novitaknits #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn

I really should go indoors and do boring chores, but....
.
.
.
.
.
#novitaknits #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn
...

365 21

thetwistedyarn

View

May 11

Open
View from a sofa, as I contemplate ideas for a new blog post (that'll doubtless take weeks to be drafted and re-re-re-re-re-drafted).

View from a sofa, as I contemplate ideas for a new blog post (that`ll doubtless take weeks to be drafted and re-re-re-re-re-drafted). ...

168 18

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 5

Open
The steeks are cut and it's beginning to look a lot like a cardigan (apart from the lack of sleeves, collar, button bands, buttons, and a really thorough blocking, but what's a few details between friends?) I'm excited that the knitted reality is coming out pretty much how I hoped when I created the design. Feel free to laugh at my hubris when it all goes wrong tomorrow...
.
.
#knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitwear #knitdesigner #novitaknits #nevernotknitting #Fairisle #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

The steeks are cut and it`s beginning to look a lot like a cardigan (apart from the lack of sleeves, collar, button bands, buttons, and a really thorough blocking, but what`s a few details between friends?) I`m excited that the knitted reality is coming out pretty much how I hoped when I created the design. Feel free to laugh at my hubris when it all goes wrong tomorrow...
.
.
#knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitwear #knitdesigner #novitaknits #nevernotknitting #Fairisle #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
...

415 19

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 3

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (see link in bio). Includes happy times with fellow Stylecraft Blogstars.

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (see link in bio). Includes happy times with fellow Stylecraft Blogstars. ...

159 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 16

Open
There's a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). It's a little different from normal, as it pays tribute to my recently deceased aunt. But don't worry, normal yarny shenanigans will resume next post. 
.
.
.
#copingwithgrief #grief #funeral

There`s a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). It`s a little different from normal, as it pays tribute to my recently deceased aunt. But don`t worry, normal yarny shenanigans will resume next post.
.
.
.
#copingwithgrief #grief #funeral
...

148 8

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 28

Open
Places you can knit: in the rainforest! 
.
Visited @livingrainforest with the twinnage, and spent a happy couple of hours spotting critters hiding in trees. 
.
.
.
#placesyoucanknit #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftspecial #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking

Places you can knit: in the rainforest!
.
Visited @livingrainforest with the twinnage, and spent a happy couple of hours spotting critters hiding in trees.
.
.
.
#placesyoucanknit #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftspecial #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking
...

249 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 11

Open
Good morning, lovely people. Isn't knitting just the BEST distraction?
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #Fairisle #knitdesigner #knitspo #stylecraftspecial #stylecraftspecialdk #knitspiration #fairislefriday #garn #strikke #virkning

Good morning, lovely people. Isn`t knitting just the BEST distraction?
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #Fairisle #knitdesigner #knitspo #stylecraftspecial #stylecraftspecialdk #knitspiration #fairislefriday #garn #strikke #virkning
...

302 9

thetwistedyarn

View

May 22

Open
Sunday morning stitchery, fuelled by green tea. Watching insects bumbling about amongst the #nomowmay grass. Enjoying @novitaknits yarn.

Sunday morning stitchery, fuelled by green tea. Watching insects bumbling about amongst the #nomowmay grass. Enjoying @novitaknits yarn. ...

138 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 6

Open
There's a new-yesterday post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). But just to respond to people's comments on the post, don't worry, I'm not injured or ill! I was just commenting on the universe's general propensity to cause trouble!
.
.
#knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #breaconbeacons #breaconbeaconsnationalpark #ilovewales

There`s a new-yesterday post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). But just to respond to people`s comments on the post, don`t worry, I`m not injured or ill! I was just commenting on the universe`s general propensity to cause trouble!
.
.
#knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #breaconbeacons #breaconbeaconsnationalpark #ilovewales
...

127 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Feb 12

Open
Another day, another blog post. See linky in bio or thetwistedyarn.com.

Another day, another blog post. See linky in bio or thetwistedyarn.com. ...

89 0

thetwistedyarn

View

Feb 25

Open
When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I'd one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule

When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I`d one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule ...

289 9

thetwistedyarn

View

Oct 31

Open
There's a new blog post in town. See link in bio or explore thetwistedyarn.com.

There`s a new blog post in town. See link in bio or explore thetwistedyarn.com. ...

157 5

thetwistedyarn

View

Oct 26

Open
This is going to sound like a paid advert, but I swear that it's not. I've just stumbled across a website called @YarnSub and it's awesome! You can enter the name of any yarn and it'll give you the best possible substitutions with a % match score based on gauge, texture, fibre, etc. See https://yarnsub.com and enjoy!

This is going to sound like a paid advert, but I swear that it`s not. I`ve just stumbled across a website called @YarnSub and it`s awesome! You can enter the name of any yarn and it`ll give you the best possible substitutions with a % match score based on gauge, texture, fibre, etc. See https://yarnsub.com and enjoy! ...

168 18

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 11

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). 🙂

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). 🙂 ...

152 5

thetwistedyarn

View

May 2

Open
I finished designing a thing. @novitaknits yarns are lush. 🙂
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #novitaknits #novita #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitspo #knitspiration

I finished designing a thing. @novitaknits yarns are lush. 🙂
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #novitaknits #novita #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitspo #knitspiration
...

352 48

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 25

Open
Merry Christmas, people! May the coming year be filled with your favourite yarn.

Merry Christmas, people! May the coming year be filled with your favourite yarn. ...

224 8

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 7

Open
Public service broadcast by @thetwistedyarn! Steeks aren't scary.
.
.
.
#steeking #steek #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #Fairisle #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #knittingblog #knitdesigner #fairislefriday

Public service broadcast by @thetwistedyarn! Steeks aren`t scary.
.
.
.
#steeking #steek #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #Fairisle #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #knittingblog #knitdesigner #fairislefriday
...

344 31

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 14

Open
There's a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). Just sayin'.

There`s a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). Just sayin`. ...

162 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 24

Open
Have yarn, will travel. Today I peeled the twinnage off their screen and took them to the Cotswold Falconry Centre. They LOVE birds of prey, so this was always going to be a win. Fab day had by all. 
.
.
.
.
@cotswoldfalconry #cotswoldfalconrycentre #knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #stylecrafthighlandheathers #knittingandwalking #cotswolds #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairisle

Have yarn, will travel. Today I peeled the twinnage off their screen and took them to the Cotswold Falconry Centre. They LOVE birds of prey, so this was always going to be a win. Fab day had by all.
.
.
.
.
@cotswoldfalconry #cotswoldfalconrycentre #knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #stylecrafthighlandheathers #knittingandwalking #cotswolds #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairisle
...

466 13

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 25

Open
There are SO MANY swatches needing knitting for the book. I reckon I can show you this one in progress, because only the reverse will be visible in the finished shot.
.
.
.
.
#garn #strikke #strikkedilla #rowanfeltedtweed #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #knitspo #knitspiration

There are SO MANY swatches needing knitting for the book. I reckon I can show you this one in progress, because only the reverse will be visible in the finished shot.
.
.
.
.
#garn #strikke #strikkedilla #rowanfeltedtweed #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #knitspo #knitspiration
...

662 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Oct 20

Open
Progress. One end of a bolster. Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner #strandedcolourwork #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #nevernotknitting #fairisle @stylecraftyarns

Progress. One end of a bolster. Yarn is Stylecraft Special DK.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner #strandedcolourwork #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #nevernotknitting #fairisle @stylecraftyarns
...

346 25

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 22

Open
Crunching numbers for a pattern for @stylecraftyarns . Crunch, crunch, crunch. I love-hate this stage. 
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner #stylecraftyarns #stylecraft #nevernotknitting #knittingpatterns #knittingpattern #yarn #garn #strikke #virkning #strikkedilla #knitspo #knitspiration #winterknitting

Crunching numbers for a pattern for @stylecraftyarns . Crunch, crunch, crunch. I love-hate this stage.
.
.
.
.
#knitdesigner #stylecraftyarns #stylecraft #nevernotknitting #knittingpatterns #knittingpattern #yarn #garn #strikke #virkning #strikkedilla #knitspo #knitspiration #winterknitting
...

113 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 19

Open
Just got home from a really intense work-day down the psychology mines, only to discover these wonderful socks that the ever-awesome @buttonspickles knitted for me. They are very beautiful and very cosy, and the yarn is the colourway that I designed for Stylecraft, i.e. Head Over Heels in the shade 'Saltaire'. (I don't think Stylecraft sells it any more.) But these socks are just perfect and I love them and I'm feeling very grateful for my friends. ❤
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftheadoverheels #sockknittersofinstagram

Just got home from a really intense work-day down the psychology mines, only to discover these wonderful socks that the ever-awesome @buttonspickles knitted for me. They are very beautiful and very cosy, and the yarn is the colourway that I designed for Stylecraft, i.e. Head Over Heels in the shade `Saltaire`. (I don`t think Stylecraft sells it any more.) But these socks are just perfect and I love them and I`m feeling very grateful for my friends. ❤
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftheadoverheels #sockknittersofinstagram
...

200 15

thetwistedyarn

View

May 24

Open
A yoke is taking shape. Yarn by @novitaknits .
.
.
.
#fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #jacquardknit #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #yoke #yokejumper #yokesweater #knittingtopdown

A yoke is taking shape. Yarn by @novitaknits .
.
.
.
#fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #jacquardknit #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #yoke #yokejumper #yokesweater #knittingtopdown
...

122 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 21

Open
@novitaknits have done a fabulous job of photographing my cardigan design. ❤ I HIGHLY recommend following their beautiful Insta page. Pattern out very soon. 
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #steek #steeking #howtosteek #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting

@novitaknits have done a fabulous job of photographing my cardigan design. ❤ I HIGHLY recommend following their beautiful Insta page. Pattern out very soon.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #steek #steeking #howtosteek #fairislecardigan #fairisle #fairisleknitting
...

285 12

thetwistedyarn

View

May 3

Open
New blog post! See thetwistedyarn.com or link in bio. Warning: contains personal inadequacy and failure.

New blog post! See thetwistedyarn.com or link in bio. Warning: contains personal inadequacy and failure. ...

228 8

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 26

Open
Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
.
.
.
#running #freedomforukraine

Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
.
.
.
#running #freedomforukraine
...

206 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Oct 14

Open
There's a brand spanking new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Contains both veg-growing and yarnery. Link in bio.

There`s a brand spanking new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Contains both veg-growing and yarnery. Link in bio. ...

206 8

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 11

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. 1084-mile charity run DONE! (Hmm, not sure whether it's loading for you, but I'm only getting everything up to the previous post - 'Rollercoasting' - when I look. Strange...)
.
.
.
.
@the_conqueror_challenges #running #charityrun

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. 1084-mile charity run DONE! (Hmm, not sure whether it`s loading for you, but I`m only getting everything up to the previous post - `Rollercoasting` - when I look. Strange...)
.
.
.
.
@the_conqueror_challenges #running #charityrun
...

272 21

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 29

Open
There's a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in comments.

There`s a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in comments. ...

187 0

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 21

Open
The twinnage still like to stretch their creativity on 'the chair'. ❤ I'm worried that this chap is repairing the chimney whilst the fire is lit and smoke is emerging!

The twinnage still like to stretch their creativity on `the chair`. ❤ I`m worried that this chap is repairing the chimney whilst the fire is lit and smoke is emerging! ...

188 17

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 5

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see linky in comments..

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in comments.. ...

114 1

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 21

Open
Reworking the 'Falling Leaves' cowl in yarn that still actually exists, and it's nearly done. Free pattern will be landing in a blog post near you within the next week or so.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #rowanfeltedtweed #strikkedilla #strikke #garn #virkning #virkningsprojekt

Reworking the `Falling Leaves` cowl in yarn that still actually exists, and it`s nearly done. Free pattern will be landing in a blog post near you within the next week or so.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #rowanfeltedtweed #strikkedilla #strikke #garn #virkning #virkningsprojekt
...

873 34

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 31

Open
Crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
.
.
.
.
@novitaknits #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #novita #novitaknits

Crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
.
.
.
.
@novitaknits #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #novita #novitaknits
...

103 3
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Knitter Of The Year 2017

Knitter Of The Year 2017
Knit Now magazine, Knitter Of The Year 2017

As seen in:-

Read my occasional column in:-

Top 100 crochet blogs via Feedly

Top 100 knit-blogs via Feedly

Follow me via Wordpress

Follow the twisted yarn on WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Failing In Several Directions
  • Redesigning
  • Up A Tree
  • Fifty
  • Kittens

RSS Follow my blog via RSS!

  • An error has occurred, which probably means the feed is down. Try again later.

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · The Twisted Yarn · Log in