You know how it can be.
Some weeks are good, whilst other weeks could be held up as case studies in a presentation on How Not To Succeed At Adulting. Or Life. Or Anything, Really. Believe me, I’ve had plenty of the latter.
Thus far, this week is shaping up rather well, although I realize that the mere act of typing those words will set cosmic cogs in motion to mess that up most mightily. Consequently my entire family probably is, as you read this, being devoured by giant mutant snails that are on the slither from the local nuclear research facility. And yes, I do know that UK snails are generally herbivorous, but as I said, these are mutant snails.
I’ve had a couple of bits of good news this week. The one that I’ll mention only briefly is that I’ve been offered a new job at a different hospital, closer to home and working only with outpatients. The other one is that this blog has won another award!
If you happen to have a copy of the latest edition of Knit Now magazine in your hands, then please turn to pages 48-49. I’m one of the winners of the Knitter Of The Year 2017 awards! Squeee!
Look! It’s true!
See my shiny new badge, here →. (If it’s here ←, then I commend you for your ability to read this blog upside-down.)
It would be fair to say that I’m rather excited about this news, as well as being surprised.
But the thing is, it’s actually you who have co-won the award. My prize is in the ‘Online Innovator’ category, for folk who chatter about knitting online. Their criteria for judging the winners included sites with a very engaged readership. And given that so many of you have, over the past few years, kindly shared your thoughts, comments, wisdom, and anecdotes on here, I can only say a heartfelt thank you. You make this site what it is. Have some champagne.
Janet says
Congratulations! Well-deserved
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you.
Selma says
Very well deserved Phil on both accounts. Champagne, no I couldn’t. Oh alright go on then
The Twisted Yarn says
You know you want to! 🙂
Nikki Creel says
Congratulations!! You very well deserve it 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
That’s very kind of you, thank you.
nicolaknits says
Congrats! You have hit the big time! (Be careful not to squash all that lovely detail on your chair.)
The Twisted Yarn says
Pah, I’m sitting on the chair right now! OBVIOUSLY I’m so incredibly light that I won’t crush anything….
Nicola Florence says
Yay…well done you. Cheers?
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you, and cheers!
K Taylor says
Cheers! Well done!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thanks!
pomegranateandchintz says
Congratulations – and well deserved. [ Do hope those mutant snails sniff at the family (you did say they were mutant) and reject them as snail fodder. ]
Alicadabra says
Once again I’m in awe at your mastery (mistressery?) of the art of understatement. BRAVO! I’m so pleased for you on both counts. Very well done. x
captelaine says
Congratulations, I’m late to the party, discovering your blog at the end of 2016 so I’ll just have a glass of wine. Champagne when you win again next year 🙂
Juanita says
Delighted for you, very well deserved. When I meet fellow knitters I always recommend your blog to them as it’s great craic! Oh and very knitty of course.
Bex says
I’m so impressed with you Phil, having just “met” you via the chair! I still have the vision of that chair cover in my mind… it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen. You deserve the award, totally. Congrats!
Hope says
You richly deserve the award, you are engaging, interesting and innovative along with the greatest creative mind. I always enjoy reading what you have on offer, here. Congratulations.
Born To Organize says
I am so happy for you! What a week. You deserve every bit of recognition you get, not to mention a job with a better commute. Yeah, you! Further, I’m sure your family is safe from harm. Snails just can’t move that quickly, even mutant ones.
Gallivanta says
Congratulations, and, yes, I will have some champagne! Thank you.
Kitten With A Whiplash says
Congratulations to Knit Now Magazine for having the good taste and wisdom to recognize an Excellent!!!! Blogger!!!!
Nice piece of work says
Shot! and cheers 🙂
spanishjanetjanet says
very well deserved well done. I think the chair cover is worthy of an award of its own
gladeridercrafts says
Congratulations 🙂 I hope the snail doesn’t go after The Chair after your family…
sjoriginalsblog says
Congratulations Phyl and Thank You for all the laughs you give us along with the endless inspiration. Mine’s a lemonade thanks as I’m usually the designated driver 😉
Sandra says
Congrats!
Karen crimson kettle says
Fabulous, well done.
Liz B. says
Congratulations on both!
Liz.x
Tineke says
Best job as a mother is close by. I hated to be in a trafficjam knowing my children school would be out any minute.That running to get it done because of the traveling time, I’m so happy for you it’s close by and with out patient only. I think I voted some time ago for all sorts of awards. Love to promote all of you creative beings. Good grief, mutant slugs!
leelah saachi says
squeeking with you there, Phil. SO deserved.For me, what nourishes me the most, is your outrageous silliness. Mutant snails – i am watching scenes with those right now, different colors, someone with delicately knitted caps with holes for the antlers.
And yes, I feast on the recipes and photos.
Congratulations and cheers! The champagne was really good
nanacathy2 says
Congratulations and very well deserved. I toast you!
katactivity says
I’m so pleased for you – both the award and the job.
I can’t remember if you have a thrush in your chair garden but please add a few or a few more to combat the MSs. Forget about territorial arguments – they need to be there.
salpal1 says
good for you (and us!) that is very exciting news. AND you sat in the chair – wow!
lovelucie1 says
Great news! Hopefully your job move will give you more time to do more yarn based stuff! Congrats on the magazine recognition!
narf7 says
Congratulations Ms T. Now I really AM going to have to pick up those knitting needles to make my comments count. I am eyeing off some circular needles on Ebay at the moment. They keep calling me with their siren song and I keep finding delicious free knitting patterns in my early morning online hunting expeditions so I think the universe is calling me to knit.
Jacquline Cappuccino says
Congratulations!
Rainbow Junkie says
Congratulations. Well deserved!
Christina says
Congratulations! I’m sure if you leave a little champagne around I’ve heard that mutant snails are rather partial to it as well. Cheers!!!
Nicola Nicholson says
Thank you I will have some champagne but really it’s all yours,so very many congratulations.
Shelley says
So pleased for you, congratulations on both pieces of news.
Chrissie says
Well done, you definitely deserve this award.
Winwick Mum says
Congratulations! You’ll love the day out at Sirdar (I got to go last year) – it’s really interesting! xx
The Twisted Yarn says
I can imagine it is. I’m excited to see. 🙂 Congratulations on winning last year.
Oh, and it’s good to see you as a fellow columnist with SK magazine. Loved your piece this month.
🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Yeah, you know you want to. 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you very much. 🙂
Dot says
Well done you innovative Knitter of the Year!! 🙂 very well deserved! & glad you enjoyed your trip to the frozen north – was that snow on he hills outside Slaithwaite? (yes, i realize I’m doing a bit of time travelling with this comment, you haven’t yet gone north at this point!) 😉
northmelbournemum says
A belated (I can hear my father now saying better to arrive late than *dead* on time), very well done!
janet678 says
Hi want to learn how to knit i used to be able to knit many years ago does your magazine help with beginning to learn to knit again
The Twisted Yarn says
Hi Janet, I don’t have a magazine, I’m afraid. This post is from a few years ago when I won an award. Most knitting magazines do have some basic knitting advice in, though, including Simply Knitting (for whom I write a quarterly column). Enjoy!