the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

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

Colin-The-Postie Delivers The Goods. Eventually.

January 10, 2015 by The Twisted Yarn 72 Comments

People, please: permit me to introduce our postman. Tall, anxious chap, goes by the name of Colin, wears a broad-brimmed hat to keep the rain off, and is so kind-natured that I overlook his tendency to remark, “And another parcel for Twisted?” whenever he arrives at our door.

Anyway, the thing about Colin is that he’s talkative. Which is fine, normally. But this morning when I answered the door to him (no mean feat: the door in question has swollen so much in the damp that it takes the strength of ten adults to wrench the blimmin’ thing open: I may yet have to go to work by escaping through a window), I was 90% sure that I knew what was inside the parcel he was clutching, and I was also 90% sure he wasn’t going to hand over said parcel until we’d conducted a thorough verbal analysis of the weather. To be fair, the weather was pretty crazy at that point. Gales and driving rain, with a worrying possibility of bits blowing off the house and landing on Colin’s head. But, still. The parcel. Oh, the parcel.

I’m getting to the point of this story, I really am, but you need to appreciate the sheer angst of this moment. Because unless I was very much mistaken, inside that parcel was a generous sample of the finest merino blended with some baby alpaca. This was no ordinary delivery.

Here’s the formal bit where I stop being silly for just a moment. I need to tell you that I did not pay for this yarn. The yarn – assuming that was what was in the oh-so-near yet oh-so-unobtainable parcel – was offered to me for free by the good people at Yarn Stories. There was no condition that I post about it, but I’m posting anyway. But you do need to know: my fickle head might have been turned by the free-ness of this product. So do read the remainder of this post with an appropriate degree of ruthless cynicism.

I did eventually manage to prise the parcel from Colin’s rain-sodden hands. Poor Colin: he doesn’t have an easy job. And it did contain the yarn. Would you like to see? Do remember that I am but a witless victim of a zero-cost promotion, and so nothing I say is of any merit whatsoever.

First, I saw this. I’ve had worse views:-

image

And then I saw this richness. Let me hear you say, ‘Ahhhhhhhh’.

image

The yarn in question is an aran-weight sample of purple loveliness, comprising 70% merino wool and 30% baby alpaca, so I just had to get the camera out:-

image

Look!

image

Now I should tell you that this Yorkshire-milled yarn is soft. Firm enough to be a pleasure to knit, but soft. For comparison, I’ve recently been knitting with a perfectly acceptable wool-alpaca combination in the form of Bergère de France Lima. But there’s no comparison between that slightly itchy budget yarn and the gentle softness of this Yarn Stories product. Seriously. This yarn is like a gentle hug. The colour is deep and rich. Those folks at Yarn Stories clearly know how to twist me round their little finger, and I’ll be a complete sucker when they turn up tomorrow asking to borrow my meagre life’s savings.

Amongst the many goodies in the parcel was a pattern for knitting matching cabled hat and mitts. Obviously, I had no justification whatsoever for casting on yet another project, so obviously what I did was to cast on another project immediately. But you’re a knitter/crocheter, so I know you’ll understand, yes?

In a mood of exceptional well-behavedness, I even swatched. Look!

image

Tomorrow, I begin to knit the real hat and mitts.  Life has been known to be worse. 🙂

(Please know-ye, the arctic qiviut is still very much active in the background. Hugely luxurious posts are to come…)

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: alpaca, crochet, knitting, knitting cables, knitting hat, knitting mitts, merino, review yarn, Yarn stories

« K1, k1, k1, (sip 1), k1, k1, (pause for imposition of real life), k1, k1, (berate toddler twinnage), k1…
Why I’m No Longer On Speaking Terms With Winter »

Comments

  1. dragontearsoflove says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Lovely yarn, I love how knitting is referred to as a hug;-)…

    Reply
  2. greenelephantcrochetandthings says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    Mmm yarn hugs 🙂 I got some merino/nylon/cashmere yarn this week and I stroke it everytime I pass it by… Thats not strange is it?! Haha

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:47 pm

      Nooooooooo, not remotely strange at all. 😉

      Reply
  3. Tonifus says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    That yarn is truly drool worthy. Your post also gave me a chuckle, and brightened up my very damp, grey day!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:47 pm

      Glad to have been of service. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Cammie says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Looks lovely and bright! Such a great combo to knit with!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:48 pm

      Yup, it is very very knittable so far. 🙂

      Reply
  5. pomegranateandchintz says

    January 10, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    Yum, yum, yum! The colour is delicious. Have fun knitting. (Poor Colin – obviously there’s not a knitter in his family!)

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:49 pm

      I know. Poor Colin will never understand, I fear.

      Reply
  6. The Knitwit says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:14 am

    Yeah for you! I love your style of writing.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:49 pm

      Thank you. That comment made me smile A LOT.

      Reply
  7. Connie says

    January 11, 2015 at 1:07 am

    Do you know if Yarn Stories has a distributor in the U.S.A.? I could not find this information on the web site. Thank You.

    Reply
    • daniellajoe says

      January 14, 2015 at 4:56 pm

      my exact thought, I think I love this yarn by the way you describe it.. 🙂

      Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:50 pm

      Eek, not sure. I’ll ask my contact…….

      Reply
  8. Lise says

    January 11, 2015 at 1:28 am

    Fabulous post.

    Reply
  9. Lise says

    January 11, 2015 at 1:29 am

    Made me giggle

    Reply
  10. thecontentedcrafter says

    January 11, 2015 at 2:00 am

    You are just plain spoiled rotten Twisted! Poor Colin, his wet and work weary hands clutching that parcel of soft gorgeousness and not a cuppa in sight, not even the offer of an umbrella held aloft to protect from any falling bits of brewery while discussing the inclement condition of the weather! Just you plotting how quickly you can wrench the thing from those cold, wet hands. Twisted, you are just plain mean to your postman – really, you don’t deserve any more parcels – especially lovely free ones like that one!

    Reply
    • spanishjanet says

      January 11, 2015 at 7:56 am

      I love reading this blog as the banter between contented and twisted always makes me smile. Crafted’s comments re the postman were great.

      Reply
      • thecontentedcrafter says

        January 11, 2015 at 8:38 am

        Hi there spanishjanet – Ha! It never occurs to me anybody else is going to read my comments – yet I usually read others 🙂 I’m glad that in your case it causes a smile to break out. I love Twisted really – but we shouldn’t ever let her know that!

        Reply
      • The Twisted Yarn says

        January 15, 2015 at 10:51 pm

        I know. Poor Colin doesn’t deserve such harsh treatment really. Perhaps I should knit him a new hat?

        Reply
  11. cricketfox says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:09 am

    How Lucky, looks amazing

    Reply
  12. bonnyknits says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:13 am

    Aaaahhhh! That looks marvelous. I want some now!

    Reply
  13. narf77 says

    January 11, 2015 at 5:08 am

    Gorgeous colour and well worth standing in the swollen doorway with an umbrella talking to a lonely mailman. Soft you say? I like soft. It is infinitely more preferable to hard or worse…scratchy. Hard and scratchy. Not my friends but S.O.F.T. now that’s the bees knees! Can’t wait to see that scrumptious knitteryjiggerypokery magic you are doing there. Looks like magic cable to moi and my detective eyes. NEVER in all my born days have I even entertained the idea to take up cable knitting. I will watch from afar (suspiciously) but ONLY because that wool is S.O.F.T!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:52 pm

      Cables are fine, honest. They just pretend to be all tough and scary, but they’re not.

      Reply
      • narf77 says

        January 16, 2015 at 1:14 am

        I found a pattern for crochet cable. Might start there and work back to the knitting variety methinks 😉

        Reply
      • The Twisted Yarn says

        January 17, 2015 at 9:31 pm

        You so can do it.

        Reply
  14. Gallivanta says

    January 11, 2015 at 6:36 am

    A good postman is hard to find, so I hope you are planning to knit him a scarf and mittens, perhaps not with your gorgeous new wool; maybe not his colour. By the way, you aren’t related to the Provincial Lady http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._M._Delafield are you? :DYou have a similar witty style. She had a diary not a blog, and kept her postman very busy with packages and letters. Not sure she did any knitting though. 😉

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:56 pm

      Interesting. Thank you. My mum saw this and mentioned that she has a copy she could lend me. I’m intrigued, now, and will definitely have a read. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Gallivanta says

        January 15, 2015 at 11:56 pm

        I feel sure you will love her. She made me laugh.

        Reply
      • The Twisted Yarn says

        January 17, 2015 at 9:32 pm

        Thank you. I hope to see my parents soon and will read her.

        Reply
  15. gladeridercrafts says

    January 11, 2015 at 7:04 am

    Ooh, very nice 🙂 And I can totally see why you had to cast on right away!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      Thank you, and thank you SO MUCH for my gorgeous parcel!! I love the yarn and the fabric and I’m busy thinking up ideas for using them. You are so kind! May I pop a photo in a blog post at some point over the next couple of weeks?

      Reply
  16. mollieandclaire says

    January 11, 2015 at 8:58 am

    Ooooh aaaah….

    Reply
  17. sixtenfourteen says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:23 am

    That is a truly beautiful looking yarn hug. I’m trying to get back into the world of knit/crochet again and so can only dream of using such yumminess. Currently trying to persuade myself to continue a scarf I started some three (or four?) years ago.

    Reply
  18. jenpedwards says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:36 am

    What fun it must be to receive not only free yarn in the mail but SUCH LOVELY YARN In the mail!! Yahoo! I love the story of your postman! In fact, I just love the way you write…your witty humor comes out so strong and it is a delight to read each post!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 15, 2015 at 10:58 pm

      Thank you. Those are very kind words.

      Reply
  19. Carole says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:43 am

    My postman isn’t quite that chatty, but he does have a definite twinkle in his eye as he hands over yet another parcel. He is a very nice chap 🙂

    That yarn is nothing short of scrumptious. The colour! This is one of those posts that make me want to reach into the screen and give that pretty yarn a wee pat.

    Reply
  20. loobyloucreations says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    what gorgeous Yarn! I do not think i would of had the patience you had with Colin!
    🙂

    Reply
  21. mountaingmom says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Oh, that yarn is so lovely. It even looks soft in your photos.

    Reply
  22. Woollen Wildnerness says

    January 11, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    That beautiful yarn would be hard to resist. And you even swatched, so you’ve clearly earned a new cast on! 🙂

    Reply
  23. slippedstitches says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    What a lucky knitter you are! Of course you cast on immediately! I admire your good sense to knit a swatch first.

    Reply
  24. SueL says

    January 11, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Lucky you! I am on the last leg (well, sleeve) of Yarn Stories’ ‘Edith’ cardigan. The wool is so beautifully soft – and that’s just their Fine Merino DK. I can’t imagine how soft it would be with baby alpaca. 🙂

    Reply
  25. annabellefranklinauthor says

    January 11, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    What better time of year for yarn that’s like a warm hug? Especially when it’s such a delicious colour.
    Our poor postie lives in fear of Millie and Pearl – totally unnecessary, since they’re all bark and no bite.

    Reply
  26. jem arrowsmith says

    January 11, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    Hehe, your post about Colin made me smile. The Yarn Stories yarn looks delicious, and such a pretty colour too – you are so lucky! I feel a click through to their website coming on…

    Reply
  27. KerryCan says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    That’s so soft and fine I can almost get past the color (purple–ick). 😉

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 11, 2015 at 10:02 pm

      We’re never gong to agree on this purple thing, are we? I almost put a special purple warning just for you at the top of this post!

      Reply
  28. meganb1977 says

    January 11, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Laughed out loud at the part about casting on another project immediately and had to explain to my husband what was so funny. Nice sample!

    Reply
  29. Linda Arthur Tejera says

    January 11, 2015 at 11:25 pm

    Beautiful yarn! I love that color. 🙂

    Reply
  30. jackallcraft says

    January 12, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Scrummy yarn! The swatch looks all cushy and lovely, great for a hat and mitts!

    Reply
  31. Laura says

    January 12, 2015 at 1:11 am

    Oh it looks lovely! Our postman just throws packages at the door and runs to the end of the drive before we’re able to even get to the door to greet him.

    Reply
  32. thegrangerange.wordpress.com says

    January 12, 2015 at 5:22 am

    I don’t know how it it possible for yarn to look soft but this does. Fabulous colour too. Will the hat and gloves be for yourself?

    Reply
  33. molly mixtures says

    January 12, 2015 at 8:21 am

    I am so envious! That yarn looks delicious and what a scrummy colour! I want! Xx

    Reply
  34. Kate says

    January 12, 2015 at 11:32 am

    What a gorgeous colour! *must not buy any more wool, must not buy any more wool* Can’t wait to see what you make with it!

    Reply
  35. craftmanicmommy says

    January 12, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I’m not sure where I found you…probably got caught up following the rabbit’s hole of knitting blogs. In any case, so glad I have! What beautiiiful yarn and swatch. I do love me some purple yarn. Every batch I get I tend to hoard for personal knitting. I’ve had some plum merino boucle that I lovingly pet and hug waiting for the right pattern to catch my eye. I wonder what my post person thinks about all my packages shipping in! Probably quite close to your Colin 🙂

    Reply
  36. V says

    January 12, 2015 at 11:04 pm

    OH what a great read! you made me smile ! beautiful yarn!

    Reply
  37. PatternPiper says

    January 14, 2015 at 10:25 pm

    My goodness! That yarn looks delicious!

    Reply
  38. Donna says

    January 16, 2015 at 10:49 am

    That looks gorgeous and in my favourite colour too. Dare I look at their website???

    Reply
    • Donna says

      January 16, 2015 at 11:09 am

      Oops, two balls on their way to me, you evil enabler!!!

      Reply
  39. Alicadabra says

    January 17, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    Sorry – that wasn’t the comment I meant to leave! It was being stubborn and not posting. Please delete that one. I’ll try again (sorry for spamming your comment box)

    Reply
  40. Alicadabra says

    January 17, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Oh my goodness, I’ve just realised that I live in the same village as a Crafting Celebrity! Surely there couldn’t possibly be two Colin-the-Posties who match that description? I do like Colin enormously (and he’s nice to my dog which is always A Good Thing in my book) but I’m still occasionally nostalgic for the lovely Postie John, who used to wear shorts in all weather (even snow) and would hide my parcels in ingenious places if I wasn’t there to receive them.

    But on to the real star of this post: the yarn! Wow! I could almost feel its strokeable softness from your description and the colour is absolutely… well, let’s just say that I’m quite partial to purple…

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 17, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      Ha ha, I’m giggling at being promoted to crafting celeb status! Definitely z-list. 🙂 But oh wow, the same village?? Trying to think of something identifiable to say that the Googling world wouldn’t be aware of…. Oxfordshire village which has a colourfully lit Christmas tree on top of its tower each year? (Maybe there are more of us… maybe we could start a knitting/crochet group in the pub…)

      Reply
      • Alicadabra says

        January 17, 2015 at 9:21 pm

        …and our own resident yarn-bomber? Yes, that’s the one! Oh, I do like the idea of a pub knitting/crochet group (rather than the weekday morning village hall type thing which isn’t really feasible for us working mums). Perhaps one of us should suggest it on the village FB page?

        Reply
        • The Twisted Yarn says

          January 17, 2015 at 9:27 pm

          YES!! By the way, I’m not the yarn-bomber, although I know who she is. Can you please (if you don’t mind) email me at thetwistedyarn@outlook.com if you’re interested in a regular yarny evening at the H? But yes, I should mention it on our FB group too.

          Reply

Trackbacks

  1. As It Is In Yarn, So it Is In Life | the twisted yarn says:
    January 17, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    […] I’m also knitting and stroking the Yarn Stories yarn: a proper post on this shall follow. And in the background, the Stoic Spouse plays his […]

    Reply
  2. To The Pub | the twisted yarn says:
    January 21, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    […] knitting and crochet (and wine) at our local pub, too, after a reader of this blog worked out from my description of the postman’s personality that we actually live in the same village! And now, she and I are starting a knitting/crochet group […]

    Reply
  3. The Problem Page: Knotty Problems | the twisted yarn says:
    January 24, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    […] I’ve been knitting snuggly mitts with the Yarnstories yarn (exhibit A below – proper ‘ta-da’ post coming […]

    Reply
  4. Colour For A Winter’s Day | the twisted yarn says:
    January 27, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    […] in new words at the Oxford English Dictionary, so I have unlimited power of neologisms via her) my Yarnstories hat and mitts today, but I haven’t quite finished the hat. Still, given the sub-arctic […]

    Reply
  5. Stylecraft Competition, Yorkshire, Internet Friends, And Champagne. | the twisted yarn says:
    April 22, 2015 at 2:44 pm

    […] Colin The Postie delivered many things (let’s gloss over the tedium and financial demands of most of them), […]

    Reply
  6. You Know That Thing I Said? It Might Not QUITE Be True… | the twisted yarn says:
    September 28, 2015 at 10:59 am

    […] it wouldn’t work through my headphones, so I faced the surreal embarrassment of running past Colin The Postman whilst a voice from near my left hip yelled out YOU HAVE PICKED UP UNDERPANTS! Colin looked […]

    Reply
  7. What? Another Blogiversary Already? | the twisted yarn says:
    October 23, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    […] in the pub after one of my readers realized that we live in the same village from my description of our postman. All of it. It’s all been […]

    Reply
  8. Getting Cosy | the twisted yarn says:
    October 2, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    […] But their big, shiny, distinctive, ‘thing’ is that they vacuum-pack their yarns just before despatch, so that the package will fit comfortably through your letterbox whilst you’re out, rather than sitting on the doorstep being liberally watered by a passing cloud. “Hmm, OK,” I said, eventually. “Send me some yarn. But you’ll regret it, and so will Colin the Postman.” […]

    Reply
  9. On The Weighty Matter Of Orange | the twisted yarn says:
    November 10, 2021 at 9:19 pm

    […] written on the subject of the quirks of our postman-du-jour. You may or may not have seen this post, which resulted in a reader realizing that we live in the same village, getting in touch, and thus […]

    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 5,958

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

Jul 4

Open
Been a while since I posted some hospital knitting, but today I had a pre-op appointment for my post-cancer evening-up-the-boobs-so-I-don't-list-to-the-left-when-I-go-running surgery. @novitaknits

Been a while since I posted some hospital knitting, but today I had a pre-op appointment for my post-cancer evening-up-the-boobs-so-I-don`t-list-to-the-left-when-I-go-running surgery. @novitaknits ...

220 13

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

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

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

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

Feb 26

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

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

415 11

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

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

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

Nov 10

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see link in bio. It's very... orange.

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. It`s very... orange. ...

180 1

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

Jan 15

Open
Mix of high-tech and low-tech in today's number-crunching.

Mix of high-tech and low-tech in today`s number-crunching. ...

165 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 10

Open
Knitting and walking, with a view. 🙂
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftblogstars #knittingblogger #knittingdesigner

Knitting and walking, with a view. 🙂
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarns #stylecraftblogstars #knittingblogger #knittingdesigner
...

254 7

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 2

Open
Re-reading this fascinating book - Interaction Of Colo(u)r by Josef Albers - whilst I write the chapter about using colour in stranded knitting for my own book. Highly recommend the Albers book if you fancy a really deep dive into how and why colours behave so differently, depending on their neighbours. 
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday

Re-reading this fascinating book - Interaction Of Colo(u)r by Josef Albers - whilst I write the chapter about using colour in stranded knitting for my own book. Highly recommend the Albers book if you fancy a really deep dive into how and why colours behave so differently, depending on their neighbours.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday
...

141 2

thetwistedyarn

View

May 27

Open
Fancy a new blog post? See link in bio or visit thetwistedyarn.com. @novitaknits

Fancy a new blog post? See link in bio or visit thetwistedyarn.com. @novitaknits ...

83 1

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

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

View

Dec 6

Open
Want to knit a spot of Christmas cheer? New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in my bio.

Want to knit a spot of Christmas cheer? New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in my bio. ...

190 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 1

Open
Speed-cutting the steek to fit into 15 seconds. Didn't quite make it!
.
.
.
#steek #rowanfeltedtweed #fairisletechniques #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday

Speed-cutting the steek to fit into 15 seconds. Didn`t quite make it!
.
.
.
#steek #rowanfeltedtweed #fairisletechniques #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday
...

716 20

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

View

Jul 12

Open
The secret-squirrel knitting I've been doing lately? Well I can now reveal that the fabulous @littleboxofcrochet asked me to create two designs for their July box. 
.
This was a ginormous honour, because their boxes are unfailingly luscious. I've loved being involved with the project, and I hope you'll enjoy the result! Don't think I'm allowed to spoil the surprise of box contents quite yet, but I'll show you soon when I can.

The secret-squirrel knitting I`ve been doing lately? Well I can now reveal that the fabulous @littleboxofcrochet asked me to create two designs for their July box.
.
This was a ginormous honour, because their boxes are unfailingly luscious. I`ve loved being involved with the project, and I hope you`ll enjoy the result! Don`t think I`m allowed to spoil the surprise of box contents quite yet, but I`ll show you soon when I can.
...

300 20

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 2

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

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

109 0

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 29

Open
There's a new post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. Much covid, very yarn.

There`s a new post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio. Much covid, very yarn. ...

197 4

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

Dec 9

Open
HOW has it taken three attempts to knit the correct number of stitches?! I'm not usually so mathematically incompetent. Grrr.

HOW has it taken three attempts to knit the correct number of stitches?! I`m not usually so mathematically incompetent. Grrr. ...

149 19

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 2

Open
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.)
.
.
.
#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.)
.
.
.
#nevernotknitting #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #knitspo #knitspiration #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairisle #rowanfeltedtweed #knittingblog #garn #strikkedilla #strike #strikkeinspo #tricot #tricotage
...

210 5

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 23

Open
My long-loved and dear friend @mary_megarry_number452 sent this card two years ago with many warm-hearted words inside. Little did either of us know that in addition to the knitting, the two black cats would also become a reality. Hope to see you soon, Mary. ❤ Artist is Dee Nickerson.

My long-loved and dear friend @mary_megarry_number452 sent this card two years ago with many warm-hearted words inside. Little did either of us know that in addition to the knitting, the two black cats would also become a reality. Hope to see you soon, Mary. ❤ Artist is Dee Nickerson. ...

333 4

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

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

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

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

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! ...

298 75

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 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

Jan 23

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

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

133 1

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

Jan 11

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah?

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah? ...

218 7

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 7

Open
Sitting under a tree to avoid the drizzle, knitting 1x1 rib. This is the life! (Garden isn't mine, so I can't take credit for its beauty.) I hope you too can find a little time to knit today.
.
.
.
#stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarn #stylecraftyarns #knitdesigner #knittersofig #Garden #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #lovetoknit #knittingismytherapy

Sitting under a tree to avoid the drizzle, knitting 1x1 rib. This is the life! (Garden isn`t mine, so I can`t take credit for its beauty.) I hope you too can find a little time to knit today.
.
.
.
#stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarn #stylecraftyarns #knitdesigner #knittersofig #Garden #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #lovetoknit #knittingismytherapy
...

253 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 5

Open
My new dress design is in the latest edition of Novita magazine. OK so you'll need to speak Finnish to understand it, but six months from now I'll be allowed to publish the same pattern in English on my website. @novitaknits is awesome.

My new dress design is in the latest edition of Novita magazine. OK so you`ll need to speak Finnish to understand it, but six months from now I`ll be allowed to publish the same pattern in English on my website. @novitaknits is awesome. ...

186 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 24

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

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

200 14

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

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

Nov 23

Open
The knitting is done! Just reworking the FREE pattern using the new yarn. 
.
.
.
.
.
#autumnknitting #fallknitting #knitsforautumn #autumnleaves #rowanfeltedtweed #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #stitchfiddle

The knitting is done! Just reworking the FREE pattern using the new yarn.
.
.
.
.
.
#autumnknitting #fallknitting #knitsforautumn #autumnleaves #rowanfeltedtweed #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #virkningsprojekt #virkning #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #stitchfiddle
...

571 35

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

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

Nov 10

Open
Haven't done a knitting-and-walking photo for a while, so here's a shot from walking the twinnage to school this morning. 
.
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #roosimine #roosimineknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #rowanfeltedtweed #estonianknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning

Haven`t done a knitting-and-walking photo for a while, so here`s a shot from walking the twinnage to school this morning.
.
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #roosimine #roosimineknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #rowanfeltedtweed #estonianknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning
...

208 3

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

Jan 11

Open
Knitting in a power-cut. 
.
.
.
#garn #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #fairisle #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration

Knitting in a power-cut.
.
.
.
#garn #strikkedilla #strikke #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisledesign #fairisle #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration
...

585 14

thetwistedyarn

View

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. ...

266 6
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