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In Which I Took A Tiny Break From Knitting To Visit The Family Seat

September 10, 2014 by The Twisted Yarn 36 Comments

There is an old pub, deep in the rolling English countryside, not so very far from here. Baskets of flowers hang from its every exterior beam and bracket. A little fountain plays on the lawn out front, and a stone lizard guards its small pond. A ghost roams its cellar. There are rooms to rent for the weary traveller, and the bar is crowded with a collection of champagne bottles and every beer you could imagine. Returning outside, the flowerbeds are edged with bright pool balls, and the view is of gently sloping arable fields. It stands outside a picture-postcard village, on an old drovers’ route, where travellers in former centuries herding livestock to market paused to rest their feet, frown at their blisters, and drink awhile.

Hops suspended from the ceiling, bunches of grapes ripening in the garden, what's not to like?
Hops suspended from the ceiling, bunches of grapes ripening in the garden, what’s not to like?

Yes, yes, you may be thinking. That’s nice, but there are thousands of pubs like this across the UK, and TheTwistedYarn does her level best to keep them all in business. So why mention this one?

I mention it because for the 300 years until 1940, this pub belonged to my forebears. This is as close as the ‘Yarn gets to a family seat. Not quite Windsor Castle, I know, but one does one’s best. And we – the Stoic Spouse and his visiting father, the Gregarious Grandfather, together with the Toddler Twinnage and I – decided to visit yesterday for lunch. I had never been before. I was so intrigued that I actually PUT DOWN MY KNITTING.

The bar has much champagne. The view is peaceful. And stone fish adorn the fountain.
The bar has much champagne. The view is peaceful. And stone fish adorn the fountain.

There is a ghost, apparently, the sad soul of one of my ancestors who potters about in the cellar rearranging barrels and causing general mayhem. Apparently he hung himself down there, and still wanders morosely amongst the soda supplies and spare wine. As a psychologist, I can’t help but wonder what drove the poor man to it. There is a story that one particular chair in the pub always feels uncannily cold thru’ his influence, but as we sat outside in unseasonably hot September sunshine, I cannot comment.

Don't you just love the pool ball flowerbed edge?
Don’t you just love the pool ball flowerbed edge?

I spoke to my Mum on the phone about all this today, for it is on her side of the family that this pub was owned. She explained that our ancestors had a hefty role in running many many pubs in rural Oxfordshire and west Berkshire. A few things clicked into place. Maybe it’s no coincidence that I live in a converted brewery. Maybe it’s no coincidence that I’m not entirely averse to a drink. Maybe it’s no coincidence that I’ve settled in this part of the country, despite the fact that I wasn’t raised here.

Anyway, we came, we lunched, we conquered. And now I must get back to some knitting, and listening to some attempts by the Gregarious Grandfather to persuade me to buy a skein of qiviut, because he rightly thinks that it sounds like yarny heaven. If I succumb to the pressure, be sure to know that I will blog about it mightily here whilst hoping that my bank statement gets lost in the post.

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Filed Under: Outdoors Tagged With: ancestors, berkshire, family, ghosts, knitting, Oxfordshire, pubs, qiviut, rural pubs

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Comments

  1. Rachael says

    September 10, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Oh buy the qiviut and make him happy. I have my eyes on some bison yarn I’ve been coveting for over a year. You only life once …….. well, maybe not. At least your ancestors knew the value of a good snort. My poor Native American ancestors just roamed around, finding new places to live every few years ……….. and I’m a nomad, wonder why?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      Ooooh bison yarn…. *scurries off to investigate* I imagine your Native American ancestors could tell some powerful stories, if only we could conjure their souls.

      Reply
  2. mollieandclaire says

    September 10, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    Surely if Gregarious Grandad wants you to buy qiviut he should pay for it?! By the way my iPad kept spell correcting qiviut to ‘wiv it’, I am not sure why as I never type ‘wiv it’ – though now my iPad thinks I do – and is possibly not the tone I was hoping for 😉

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      Ha ha, maybe your iPad judges itself to be ‘wiv it’? Unlike mine. Qiviut would be amazing but is definitely not justified when there are trivial things like mortgage and food to cover. Unfortunately I may yet do something reckless. Who needs food, anyway?

      Reply
      • mollieandclaire says

        September 12, 2014 at 8:22 pm

        Erm you have never met me. I like my food….

        Reply
  3. pennylibrarian says

    September 10, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    Totally had to ‘google’ qiviut, is it easy to come by?
    Lovely view from the pub garden.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:47 pm

      We happen to live fairly near a seller of qiviut, although when I visited their shop they hadn’t got anything more exotic than Debbie Bliss pure wool on display. If you’re happy to mail order and spend half your month’s mortgage payment, then yes, I think it’s reasonably easy to obtain.

      Reply
  4. thecontentedcrafter says

    September 10, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    I have no idea what quiviet is – see I can’t even spell it – qiviut – but I am sure a skein of it would be adorable! I love your old family seat – I was thinking if you had to flutter about ethereally for eternity there could be no better place – then I got to the bit where he is unhappy. You probably should have sat in the cold seat , had a beer and told him he could go now, you have things in hand……. then you could knit a nice seat cover for his chair and all would be well in pub land again 🙂 It’s nice to know why you have your attachment to things alcoholic isn’t it – wouldn’t want folk thinking it was just a random happenstance. .. Hope you will blog about your exotic skein when/if you get it. 🙂

    Reply
    • Gallivanta says

      September 11, 2014 at 8:28 am

      A nice knitted seat cover! That’s the answer. The Twisted Yarn must return to the family seat and get this sorted. The ghostly ancestor may not disappear but at least he will be content.

      Reply
      • thecontentedcrafter says

        September 11, 2014 at 7:42 pm

        Exactly! 🙂

        Reply
      • The Twisted Yarn says

        September 12, 2014 at 7:52 pm

        Gallivanta, yes, I think this is the solution! You never know, it might cheer our poor sad ghost up a little. And maintain the family connection.

        Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:51 pm

      I will be strong… I will not spend next month’s mortgage payment on qiviut… I will be strong…
      Actually, your comment made me wish I’d stayed awhile and tried to connect with the poor sad ghost through his seat. I’ll just have to go back there some time soon. Meanwhile I’m hoping to visit another pub (no family connection) which dates from the 11th century and which has apparently been the scene of at least 60 murders. Supposedly, the landlord and landlady had a hinged bed in one of the guest bedrooms, and rich guests would find themselves tipped up into a vat of boiling liquid in the middle of the night before their possessions were all stolen.

      Reply
      • thecontentedcrafter says

        September 12, 2014 at 8:58 pm

        Am I supposed to laugh when I read this? I am ashamed to say I rolled onto the floor ….. I don’t think any amount of your beautiful knitting will assuage the pain of that particular place 🙂

        I’m also hoping you will spend next months mortgage on qiviut because I really want to see what it is and what you do with it. [Then I would sqeeee over it and you would feel it just right and proper to send it on to me and I would be ever so happy and grateful and you would feel it was all thoroughly worthwhile losing the brewery for ……..] 😀 😀 😀

        Reply
  5. eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says

    September 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I just love the way you write, I have never heard you speak, but I can hear you talking to me through your writing. We really should meet up one day. Lovely post as usual x

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Thank you. And I love your stunning photos of crochet and Norway. I will – belatedly – reply to your email…..

      Reply
  6. E.C. says

    September 11, 2014 at 12:56 am

    That’s pretty neat about your family connection there to that gorgeous place. It does make one kind of connect the proverbial dots when so many familiar dynamics has played a part of your life.
    It’s a shame about the sad ghost. Bless his heart.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:53 pm

      Yes, I wish I knew more details about him. How sad that he felt driven to kill himself.

      Reply
  7. Nannie4 says

    September 11, 2014 at 1:03 am

    Thanks for sharing that travel post. I love armchair travelling– one learns much and can easily imagine being there. I do want to actually get to the UK one day, but in the meantime —- cheers! {clink}

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Ooooh yes, come! We don’t bite!
      *Cheers*

      Reply
  8. A Crafters Journey says

    September 11, 2014 at 2:58 am

    Thank you so much for sharing. I feel as if I was able to escape stress with your post. All is so beautiful again, thanks.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you for your incredibly kind comment.

      Reply
  9. littleblackdogsa says

    September 11, 2014 at 6:52 am

    Wow, what a beautiful place to visit. I wish I could be there. 🙂 Thanks for the share, it makes my day so much brighter. I love reading about other places across the world, it is so very interesting, specially to see it through someone else’s eyes.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you for your lovely comment. And I agree with you about reading about other places across the world. I particularly love reading other bloggers’ descriptions of the changing seasons.

      Reply
  10. sewchet says

    September 11, 2014 at 7:26 am

    What a great story and you tell it so well! I just love a proper pub don’t you? Such a quintessentially English concept and part of our heritage that we take for granted I fear. Photo of said qiviut please when bought please:)

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:56 pm

      Oh yes, we do pubs rather well in this country. 🙂

      Reply
  11. narf77 says

    September 11, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    I have done everything (aside from go to the Red Square…funds are low this week) to enter this competition aside from standing on my head as I live in Australia and figure that I LIVE standing on my head anyway so that is accomplished easily :). Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone in this awesome giveaway 🙂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 8:04 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  12. KerryCan says

    September 11, 2014 at 8:45 pm

    If my family were to have a family seat, I would much prefer a beautiful, comfy pub to Windsor Castle!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 7:57 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  13. mountaingmom says

    September 11, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    How delightful and fun☺

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      September 12, 2014 at 8:04 pm

      Thank you. 🙂

      Reply
  14. crackedbutcrafty says

    September 13, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Sounds wonderful, what a glorious description and lovely photos. Am closing my eyes and imagining myself there!

    Reply
  15. Crochet Club says

    September 14, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    Very nice, if ever I’m in the area I’ll be sure to drop by the pool ball pub.

    Reply
  16. Dot says

    December 18, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    You put down your knitting?!!!!! Must be worth a visit, please can we go next time i’m down??? 🙂 x

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Darkest Deeds At The Ostrich | the twisted yarn says:
    October 31, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    […] I’ve written about an old inn. (My post about the pub that was in our family for 300 years is here.) But today, we drove 50 miles just to lunch at a very particular pub that my dear father-in-law […]

    Reply
  2. A Trip Back In Time | the twisted yarn says:
    December 17, 2015 at 11:22 pm

    […] So whilst I knit frantically, let’s travel back in time a couple of months, because I want to show you some interesting photographs. No wait, these pictures were taken in October, but really we’re travelling back well over two thousand years to the Iron Age in what is now Britain. One of the things that I love about Oxfordshire is how deeply and obviously its landscape has been marked by our ancient forebears. (I’ve talked before about the Ridgeway and Blewburton Hill. And skipping forwards many centuries, also ( ? ) about our family seat.) […]

    Reply

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Sometimes, the reverse is almost pretty as the front, in its own subtle way. (Long floats left deliberately because these pieces will only be used for photography.)
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#nevernotknitting #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #knitspo #knitspiration #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairisle #rowanfeltedtweed #knittingblog #garn #strikkedilla #strike #strikkeinspo #tricot #tricotage

Sometimes, the reverse is almost pretty as the front, in its own subtle way. (Long floats left deliberately because these pieces will only be used for photography.)
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#nevernotknitting #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #knitspo #knitspiration #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairisle #rowanfeltedtweed #knittingblog #garn #strikkedilla #strike #strikkeinspo #tricot #tricotage
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210 5

thetwistedyarn

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Sep 10

Open
Knitting the 'spring' colourway of my next pattern. Nearly done. Yarn is @stylecraftyarns Highland Heathers. 
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #knitdesigner #freeknittingpattern #garn #virkning

Knitting the `spring` colourway of my next pattern. Nearly done. Yarn is @stylecraftyarns Highland Heathers.
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #knitdesigner #freeknittingpattern #garn #virkning
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159 0

thetwistedyarn

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Feb 26

Open
Constellations! Plotting and planning for a new design. 
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#knitdesigner #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #rowanfeltedtweed #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday

Constellations! Plotting and planning for a new design.
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#knitdesigner #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #rowanfeltedtweed #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday
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415 11

thetwistedyarn

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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

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Mar 11

Open
Good morning, lovely people. Isn't knitting just the BEST distraction?
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#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?
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #Fairisle #knitdesigner #knitspo #stylecraftspecial #stylecraftspecialdk #knitspiration #fairislefriday #garn #strikke #virkning
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303 9

thetwistedyarn

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Dec 31

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see link in bio.

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. ...

271 6

thetwistedyarn

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May 2

Open
I finished designing a thing. @novitaknits yarns are lush. 🙂
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#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. 🙂
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #novitaknits #novita #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitspo #knitspiration
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351 48

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 18

Open
I really should go indoors and do boring chores, but....
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#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....
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#novitaknits #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn
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365 18

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!
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#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!
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#knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #breaconbeacons #breaconbeaconsnationalpark #ilovewales
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127 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 30

Open
Washed ready for blocking... and mysteriously suddenly enormous. The swatch didn't behave like this!

Washed ready for blocking... and mysteriously suddenly enormous. The swatch didn`t behave like this! ...

263 25

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 30

Open
Busy on the book. 
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed

Busy on the book.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed
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152 7

thetwistedyarn

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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. 
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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. 
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#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.
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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.
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#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
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361 20

thetwistedyarn

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Jun 2

Open
Places you can knit: deep underground in a cave!
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#knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #placesyoucanknit @novitaknits

Places you can knit: deep underground in a cave!
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#knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #placesyoucanknit @novitaknits
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109 0

thetwistedyarn

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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

Dec 28

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

Places you can knit: in the rainforest!
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Visited @livingrainforest with the twinnage, and spent a happy couple of hours spotting critters hiding in trees.
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#placesyoucanknit #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftspecial #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking
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249 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 15

Open
How on earth am I going to spend this hour whilst I wait in the car for my mum? Oh hang on, I have knitting and green tea: I'll be fine for half a day at least.

How on earth am I going to spend this hour whilst I wait in the car for my mum? Oh hang on, I have knitting and green tea: I`ll be fine for half a day at least. ...

310 18

thetwistedyarn

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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

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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.
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#running #freedomforukraine

Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
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#running #freedomforukraine
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206 4

thetwistedyarn

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Jun 15

Open
A new pattern for you! Today sees the launch of Stylecraft's Blogstars On The Beach initiative. See my blog post at thetwistedyarn.com or follow linky in profile.

A new pattern for you! Today sees the launch of Stylecraft`s Blogstars On The Beach initiative. See my blog post at thetwistedyarn.com or follow linky in profile. ...

112 3

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. 
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#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.
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#copingwithgrief #grief #funeral
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148 8

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 31

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

Crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
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@novitaknits #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #novita #novitaknits
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103 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 24

Open
Thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist. 
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

Thank goodness I`m not a perfectionist.
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
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200 14
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