…But just before I publish the bag pattern at last, another post has rudely sneaked in front. Because today is TheTwistedYarn’s second blogiversary! Also, this is my 200th post.
OK I confess, this photo is of the cake that the Stoic Spouse secretly commissioned last year, but it was so wonderful that I thought its picture deserved dusting off and airing again, one year on. Man, that cake tasted good. And as surprises go, this was an above-averagely wonderful one. It was made by some folks based in Oxford’s historic Covered Market – the same people who made our wedding cake eight years ago.
So the blog is two years old today! That means it’s reached toddlerdom and will no doubt become stroppy and cantankerous. (The twinnage’s first serious tantrum began right on cue at 8am on their second birthday – spooky, huh?)
No cake this year, and I left work two hours late this evening, but now I’m home with wine and a fire, and all is good.
Just to get sentimental (no, it’s not the wine – I’ve only drunk 2cm down the glass since the above picture was taken), I never imagined the fabulous rollercoaster that blogging would turn out to be. The new friends in real life (including the inspiring Selma, and Alice, and Greenclogs), and friends online (including the wit of Narf, amongst many others). The chatter we’ve had here (I love your comments, I love listening to you all, I love your wisdom). The column for Simply Knitting magazine. The fun with Stylecraft yarns. The patterns I’ve put out, including on Ravelry. The hope that I’ve passed on at least a little bit of confidence to just go and make that crazy, colourful idea that’s been brewing in your head. The knitting/crochet group we formed 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 good.
But my goodness, blogging eats up time, nay devours it in great slurping ill-mannered mouthfuls. I am that weirdo who writes all of my blog posts by hand on, like, paper with a pen, before typing them up, a process not recommended for anyone interested in speed-blogging.
So what’s next? (Other than the bag pattern.) Well I’m sorry to break it to you, but… more along the same lines. And I’m still planning to add the occasional chattery video into the mix, too, once I suss out the technology and once time permits. (Ha, time?! Who needs sleep, anyway? Just hook me up t’that intravenous caffeine and watch me go. And go. And go.)
Finally, may I propose a toast? To friends, across the world. Knitters and crocheters and random people, you’re all pretty cool.
Happy blogiversary to you, dear Twisted! And many more!
Why thank you!
I’ve welled up. I live your blog. I’ve loved watching it and you grow and I’m in totally awe of your unique voice and bonkers designs. You totally rock Phil and I’m delighted and privileged to be able to call you a friend. Happy second and many more to come. Will watch with interest the toddler tantrums of this blog!
You’re so kind, but the privilege is all mine. Who says that people you meet online are all weirdos?! (Well, I am. But you’re not.)
love it, keep it coming. I haven’t followed you for the full two years, but I’ve enjoyed every one of your posts. You are quite creative, I’m sure you will keep us surprised with your next creations. Thanks for the entertainment.
Thank you so much. And thank you for all your kind words and encouragement over many, many months. These comments are making me feel quite emotional!
Congratulations and happy 2nd blogiversary, Phil. ? ? ? I so look forward to your doses of craziness and long may they continue.
Best wishes from Australia. Connie
>
Ooh, thank you (especially for that wine and cake, there!) And I absolutely guarantee that more craziness is to come.
OOOOOH! Happy Blogaversary II! I’m so glad you showed us the cake as I had not seen it, and yes, it’s totally worth a first and another and another look. *sings* ♪♫ Happy Anniversary ♫ ♪♪
Have a fabulous weekend!
Ooh singing, excellent! Thank you so much! You know, this is turning into something of a party. 🙂
It’s been a lovely two years!!!!!!!
Thank you. And it’s gone so fast.
Congratulations! Keep up the good work – love your posts.
Thank you! It’s heartwarming to read all this encouragement.
Happy blogiversary! You rock!
Thank you! Yes, there hasn’t been anywhere near enough rocking round here, lately. Do you know, I had to DUST the drums yesterday?!
I bet Ringo’s drums never get dusty…
Happy anniversary to you and may there be many more!! Cheers to you m’dear Twisted 🙂
Time goes fast in blogland, doesn’t it? Wishing us both plenty more creative bloggy times.
I am going to raise my glass (even though I am perpetually late for EVERYTHING thanks to being on this side of the world…sigh…) to you Ms Twisted and to all who sail in you (may have mixed my metaphors there but I AM listening to Mr David Bowie quite loudly and I may or may not have been working my way through approximately 200 blog posts that appeared out of nowhere while I was AWOL at my daughters for 2 days). Here’s to many more years of the quirky, the hooky, the knotty and the just plain barmy and through it all we will be here to tease you and support you and hook and stitch along with you. The ether just wouldn’t be the same without you ma’am! Happy birthday! 🙂
Aww, I’m feeling quite emotional now. Thank you. As for time, you’re in Tomorrowland, not behind us. So really, you should be able to read posts before I’ve even written them. In which case, please can you phone me and dictate them so that I don’t have to go to the trouble of composition? (Sorry. Everyone in Australia and NZ must be sick of the Tomorrowland thing.)
I could work on a blog post for you but you might have to say that you were “typing under the influence” as otherwise your dear constant readers are going to think you have developed social problems 😉
Happy Blogiversary. 🙂
Why, thank you! 🙂
Congratulations! I look forward to reading all your new posts. What a lovely cake. 🙂
Thank you. Right, I’d better get on and write them then….
Fantastic! Happy anniversary. I love your skill and your wit….keep going, we love you! X
Thank you for such kind words. (Probably kinder than I deserve, but thank you anyway.)
Congratulations! I look forward to your posts and really appreciate the time you take. Here’s to many more blogiversaries.
Thank you. Gosh, I really am getting emotional reading this stuff.
“Ching Ching”, and to further anniversaries too
Cheers! And thank you. Help y’self to more of that wine…
Congratulations,Phil!!!! The cake is great and your blog fantastic!!
Awwww, thank you. But your knitting and crochet and photos of Croatia are PROPERLY gorgeous. Yes, I know you live in Italy, but there’s just something particularly special about your Croatia pics. Maybe because your heart and soul are there? Sorry, I’ll stop rambling.
Oh,my dear, ramble as much as you want! It is a pleasure to read your rambling and am so sorry I can’t hear it since we live so distant… Croatia is a very complicated country but it is beautiful indeed…. there’s always something poetic and melancholic in the air in Croatia…
I love your blog, I love how you write and I have twins too, so it all seems uncannily familiar. I miss the UK and how people speak and our sarcastic tone and our jokes. Your writing brings it all back and make me feel that I am home again. You are funny and clever and also talented, someone I should hate really! LOL! Happy Blogiversary, and I hope there are many more to come.
Happy Bloggiversary! More of the same sounds good to me, I love reading your blog!
Happy Blogiversary and (blush) thanks for the mention. 🙂
Happy Blogiversary!! And may you have many more.
I know I’m a little late, but happy bloggerversary! Congrats on keeping it going for 2 years!
Congratulations!!! Might well be mentioning you on my podcast by the way 😀 x
Happy blogiversary! You make a difference with your blog, really!
Happy blogiversary. Sorry I’m late, I’m often late but I do pop over now and again to see what you’re up to, I love your quirky humour 🙂