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This Is Crazy, No? NO?

April 12, 2015 by The Twisted Yarn 21 Comments

I know you’ve all been there: the three more pairs of gift socks still to be knitted and it’s 10pm on Christmas Eve. Or the exquisite, fit-through-a-wedding-ring bridal shawl that the bride really needs like, erm, tomorrow, for her wedding, and you’re only half way through the working the lace. OK, I made up these exact scenarios, but to a knitter/crocheter, they’re normal and completely understandable, right?

But I think I might have over-stretched myself this time. The knitting in question isn’t for someone else so it’s not that important, but I’ve got a deadline in my head that won’t go away, however much cold reason I fling at it. Cold reason such as, “Y’know, you probably ought to consider feeding your children at some point over the next week, and that’s definitely going to eat into your knitting time.” You see, on the 21st April – that’s a mere nine days away – I’ll be heading up, a long way up, to a mill in west Yorkshire to co-judge the Stylecraft yarn shade competition with Lucy of Attic24 and the editor of Let’s Knit. And given that the occasion will be all about the yarn, I’ve got it into my stoopid head that what I really (really) need is to design a new fairisle knitted skirt and a crocheted bag for the occasion. Well the bag is done and the skirt was underway, but…

Note the use of the word ‘was’.

The thing is, I wasn’t so much designing this skirt as distractedly doodling in semi-random shades as I went along, and the result was increasingly looking like a cacophony of ill-matched stripes of pattern and shades. I kept wondering whether to rip back and begin again, but the proximity of the deadline reminded me that I’d be mad to start again at this late stage. But the more I progressed, the more I thought, “No: this really isn’t getting any better, is it?”

Nope. Just wrong.
Nope. Just wrong.

I’m pleased with the fancy pattern in the middle of the photo above, though, because that’s the bit I actually put some time and careful thought into designing. This skirt really has been a lesson in taking the time to work and re-work design elements properly. So I decided to rip back to the start, and knit a skirt with a plain background, and several bands of that fancy fairisle stripe with the hearts and curls. Easy, no? Well no, actually, because I hadn’t got enough of the right colours if that was to be the plan, and delivery of more yarn would take a few days, especially as it’s the weekend. Aaargh! And all the while that these thought processes are going on, life and the Toddler Twinnage are pulling at my sleeve going “Mummy-Mummy-Mummy-Mummy-Mummy”, and my head’s all over the place, and I’m trying to figure out the timing to start my IVF drugs.

Anyway, a decision was made. Yesterday. Whilst there were still 10 days until Y-Day (Yarn Day). I was going to start again. Deep breath.

I began to unravel the skirt. Except I didn’t, because the Rowan Felted Tweed DK I’m using does like to get down and cuddle itself tightly once it’s been knitted, and it’s far far far far far too prone to breaking, so frogging this stuff just yields an unholy shredded tangle. So I sighed. And I clenched my teeth. And I picked up some of the remaining yarn that I did have, and began, again, to knit.

image

Cast on 200 stitches using Old Norwegian cast on with 3mm needles. Work 10 rows garter stitch. Work another 6 rows stockinette, increasing (with kfb’s) on the last row to 203 stitches. Begin pattern. Here we go….

Do you think I’ve got any chance at all of making it? There’s plenty more I could tell you, in this very twisted yarn, but I’ll save it for the next post, because right now I really need to do some knitting. Suffice to say that my chances of getting this thing done have already been seriously hampered by a large river and some dinosaurs.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: attic24, competition, crochet, fairisle, knitted skirt, knitting, Let's Knit, stranded, stylecraft

« The Bag Lady
In Which Life Conspires Against Knitting »

Comments

  1. arlingwoman says

    April 12, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    I have no idea, being an admirer of knitting, but not a knitter. Plus, I like what I could see of the skirt, which puts me in pretty unreliable territory. Maybe you just need to absorb the triumph of the house bag and give yourself a rest. In the US there’s this crazy lady named Martha Stewart who suggests people do things like crystallize flowers from their own cutting gardens to decorate wedding cakes with, or…well, you know, that way lies madness. Don’t go there.;-)

    Reply
  2. pennylibrarian says

    April 12, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    Self-imposed deadlines are the worst, will it be a mini, midi or maxi length skirt? Also, old Norwegian cast on – had to Google that. I think in the deadline that you have set yourself I might just be able to cast on 200 stitches…

    Reply
  3. caroljchristie says

    April 12, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    You can do it! Go, go, go!

    Reply
  4. Katie Writes Stuff says

    April 12, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    You don’t need sleep, right?

    Reply
  5. oddlyended says

    April 12, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    What I have seen of the skirt looks beautiful! But your deadline is why I almost never work to a deadline, because either everything goes cattywampus or I seriously underestimate the actual time it takes to complete. Good luck!

    Reply
  6. Gallivanta says

    April 13, 2015 at 3:37 am

    I think you have been down this road of crazy before, and survived. https://thetwistedyarn.com/wp/2014/11/09/crochet-meets-knitting-bag-pattern/#comments I’m a believer. You will get it done. 🙂

    Reply
  7. The Snail of Happiness says

    April 13, 2015 at 6:06 am

    I’m sure you have stunning legs, so a mini-skirt will be perfect… won’t it?.

    Reply
  8. gladeridercrafts says

    April 13, 2015 at 6:22 am

    GO GO GO GO GO! I know about the insanity of self-imposed deadlines (but I totally made mine, and I’m sure that you can too 🙂 )

    Reply
  9. wightstitches says

    April 13, 2015 at 6:35 am

    Not crazy at all, in my world this is a very normal scenario..OK, it often ends with wearing something with a couple of blocking pins still in and unwoven ends discreetly tucked away but no-one needs to know that do they? lol..love the curlicue design…good luck!! 🙂

    Reply
  10. feltelf says

    April 13, 2015 at 8:58 am

    Your post and the comments of your readers made me smile. I must admit I liked the skirt too as it was so far and I admire people who can develop a design themselves. I trust your judgement though and if it didn’t feel right, it had to change. Good luck and put he scissors away from the twins. 🙂

    Reply
  11. woolpickle says

    April 13, 2015 at 9:10 am

    I’m also working with some “cuddly” unforgivable yarn, a toddler, and a stupid deadline at the moment. I feel your pain. Knit knit knit!

    Reply
  12. jengolightly says

    April 13, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Ditch the skirt idea. Wear plain pants or a skirt with your bag and a smile. People think your crazy when you go to a knitting even head to toe in handknits. X

    Reply
  13. KerryCan says

    April 13, 2015 at 11:15 am

    I think we have past evidence that you will do almost anything to meet your deadlines! I’m on pins and needles . . .

    Reply
  14. mountaingmom says

    April 13, 2015 at 1:30 pm

    Industrious, certainly. Crazy, maybe. But your work and designs are always beautiful and your talent impressive. Knit on crazy lady, but wait…can the psychologist be crazy?

    Reply
  15. slippedstitches says

    April 13, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    You are a very brave and determined woman. With that combination anything is possible. Go for it.

    Reply
  16. mindfulmagpie says

    April 13, 2015 at 5:48 pm

    I must say I am relieved not to be the only one. I don’t mean the only one who designs and knits and crochets my own beautiful stuff and is invited to judge contests. I mean the only one who gets an idea in her head and CANT LET GO no matter what! I am sure you will make the right decision for you!

    Reply
  17. narf77 says

    April 13, 2015 at 7:56 pm

    Yes. Yes, it IS crazy but then we have come to expect nothing less of you Ms Twisted. When I first started following your esteemed blog, I remember reading all about a bag that was being finished on the train on the way to some event…start out as you mean to finish off and it would seem you are into “Extreme yarn crafts” in a BIG way ;). I feel another “knitting on the train” post coming on, only this time you will be sitting there knitting your skirt as you travel. Could be most interesting for anyone having to share a seat with you 😉

    Reply
  18. sewchet says

    April 14, 2015 at 10:52 am

    You HAVE to finish the skirt – I’ve been dying to see the finished thing and it’s looking so good thus far! Please, please finish it anyway, even if it’s not going up to Yorkshire with you?

    Reply
  19. Jenny - prettycolumn (@riley_jl) says

    April 14, 2015 at 7:01 pm

    good luck! if you don’t finish the skirt in time for Yarn day you should totally finish it and wear it with pride 😀 I know those feels about setting a deadline when you don’t *need* too. But I understand that desire and throw my support behind you if that helps! 🙂 jenny xx

    Reply
  20. magicandcrochethook says

    April 15, 2015 at 7:37 am

    I love your projects 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. This Isn’t Going To Work, Is it? | the twisted yarn says:
    April 19, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    […] this ridiculous deadline of designing/knitting a new skirt to wear for the occasion, and then re-starting it at the eleventh hour, I’m in a pickle. The sort of pickle that might raise a few eyebrows from fellow judges at […]

    Reply

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Eight years ago today, I started thetwistedyarn.com. It was just a place to talk (and talk) about knitting. Gradually it became a place to photograph knitting and wildlife, too... and garden stuff, which led to the @the.twisted.garden page. Little did I know that my blog would lead to meeting you creative, witty, wonderful lot, plus a book deal, and some treasured real-life friends, a quarterly column in 'Simply Knitting' magazine, membership of the Stylecraft Blogstars, a TV appearance, and plenty else besides.
.
If you're thinking of starting a blog, I have one very important piece of advice: DO IT!
.
(I wheel this photo out almost every year. It's the cake that the Stoic Spouse commissioned for my first blogiversary. It was delicious as well as beautiful, but unsubtle hints have thus far failed to persuade him to bake or order any further bloggy gateaux.)
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#blogiversary #knitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting

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.
If you`re thinking of starting a blog, I have one very important piece of advice: DO IT!
.
(I wheel this photo out almost every year. It`s the cake that the Stoic Spouse commissioned for my first blogiversary. It was delicious as well as beautiful, but unsubtle hints have thus far failed to persuade him to bake or order any further bloggy gateaux.)
.
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#blogiversary #knitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting
...

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Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns

Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns ...

227 15

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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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. 
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#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.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday
...

141 2

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
...

302 9

thetwistedyarn

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Aug 15

Open
I usually just post stuff like this at my garden account - @the.twisted.garden - but I thought you might appreciate the colour. 
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Love this time of year, because there are so many different crops to be picked. Today: cabbage, beans, peas, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, patty pan squash, opium poppies (for seed), plums, Japanese wineberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Yum.

I usually just post stuff like this at my garden account - @the.twisted.garden - but I thought you might appreciate the colour.
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Love this time of year, because there are so many different crops to be picked. Today: cabbage, beans, peas, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, patty pan squash, opium poppies (for seed), plums, Japanese wineberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. Yum.
...

263 23

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 16

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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

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Jan 29

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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

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Nov 22

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

113 3

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

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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

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Aug 3

Open
Previous design didn't work, but this one will. This is FUN.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #knittersofinsta #strandedknitting #virkning #garn #strikke #strikkedilla #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #fairisleknitting #fairisle @stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers

Previous design didn`t work, but this one will. This is FUN.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #knittersofinsta #strandedknitting #virkning #garn #strikke #strikkedilla #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #fairisleknitting #fairisle @stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers
...

271 12

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 2

Open
Knitting on the rug beside the first fire of the season.

Knitting on the rug beside the first fire of the season. ...

175 7

thetwistedyarn

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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
...

148 8

thetwistedyarn

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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

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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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Mar 5

Open
New blog post, right here: https://thetwistedyarn.com/2022/03/05/blue-and-yellow/

New blog post, right here: https://thetwistedyarn.com/2022/03/05/blue-and-yellow/ ...

174 4

thetwistedyarn

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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

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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

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Jul 26

Open
For those of you remember Robyn-the-robin (my cheeky avian friend who fed from my hand and generally bossed me about for two summers), you may be interested in this. Here's a fledgling robin who hasn't even got his/her red chest yet, but follows me VERY closely around the garden. We've just had a little chat over some mealworms, and I'm optimistic that we'll be friends. 
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#robin #gardenbirds #tamebirds #gardenforwildlife

For those of you remember Robyn-the-robin (my cheeky avian friend who fed from my hand and generally bossed me about for two summers), you may be interested in this. Here`s a fledgling robin who hasn`t even got his/her red chest yet, but follows me VERY closely around the garden. We`ve just had a little chat over some mealworms, and I`m optimistic that we`ll be friends.
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#robin #gardenbirds #tamebirds #gardenforwildlife
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573 36

thetwistedyarn

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Jun 1

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

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

130 2

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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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
...

352 48

thetwistedyarn

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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

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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
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