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Zen and the art of marathon knitting

June 27, 2021 by The Twisted Yarn 25 Comments

Wow.

When it’s not walloping down with rain, it’s quite pretty out there.

I already know from your comments that you people are lovely, wise, witty, and creative (yes, even YOU lurking at the back, there), but now I know that you’re generous too. Thanks to you, £1646 and rising is going to pancreatic cancer research. You’re awesome. More than awesome. Awesomer! Awesomest! Thank you. One day when you read about a new treatment for pancreatic cancer, you can smile in the knowledge that you’ve helped that happen. A heartbreakingly high number of you have commented on my JustGiving page about the loved ones you’ve lost to this vile disease. But through your donations, you’re helping to create hope that in future, people won’t have to suffer the grief that you’ve been forced to endure. Thank you, dear friends. And there is still time to donate if you are so inclined. Here’s another link to my JustGiving page, because if I’m going to pester you, I may as well do it thoroughly.

By way of an update, I’m 959 miles (88% of the way) in to this race from Land’s End to John O’Groats, with ‘only’ – and I use that word rather loosely – 125 miles to go. Due to my own (breast) cancer treatment, I’ve sometimes been playing catch-up with the miles because there were times when I was too ill to run, but right now I’m slightly ahead of target to be done within a year, i.e. by mid-August.

I think about you lovely lot whilst I’m running, and it keeps me going through the torrential rain, and the blazing heat, and the ankle-sucking mud, and the snow, and the sunburn, and the hail, and the blustery wind – a surprising number of which can occur within the same run. Actually I don’t mind running in the rain – you reach a level of sogginess where you stop bothering to avoid the puddles, because it’s not as though you can get any wetter than saturated, you know? “Yeah puddle, what ya gonna do, replace some of this water with other water? Ha! Go right ahead.”

If you’re reading this and thinking ‘What on earth is the woman blithering on about?’ then you might want to read my previous post, here.

There has been a lot of knitting here, too, and I can’t wait to be able to show you the designs that I’m proud to have created for a certain gorgeous company… but I mustn’t spoil the surprise. So instead I’ll pepper this post with pictures of other things I’ve designed in the past. Predictably, this recent design work involved stranded colourwork inspired by the natural world, because that’s the way I mostly roll. I promise to show you in a couple of weeks’ time, once it’s a bit less of an if-I-show-you-then-I’ll-have-to-kill-you type of scenario, OK?

The design process and the pattern-writing were careful and thorough. But when it came to knitting the samples of all the colour/design/size combinations in time, lets just say that things got a weeny bit hairy. Several all-nighters were pulled, small children and medium-sized husbands were neglected, and the vegetable garden was respectfully begged to fend for itself for a couple of weeks if it would be so kind, even though we were in a mini-heatwave at the time and it was a crucial stage in the dinner-growing calendar.

Yet still, there was a yawning chasm separating what needed to be done from what could humanly be achieved in the hours available. Enter stage left and in shining (knitted) armour @buttonsandpickles – that’s her Instagram name – a friend with a bottomless heart and speedy needles. Without her help, I would have failed. But between us, we did it. And whilst usually I enjoy the anecdotal possibilities of things going wrong, this situation inconvenienced other people, so I ain’t laughing. Anyway, the knitting is done, and you’ll see it very soon.

So now I’m back to designing my own stuff. Current design mood = dragonflies, because it’s the time of year when the juveniles of these ancient beasts emerge from our pond, crawling up a reed to shed their exoskeletons before flying their maiden voyages. Their distant forebears in pre-dinosaur times had a wingspan of up to 75cm (that’s 2’5″), which definitely crosses the very important boundary that separates “Gosh, what a delightfully fascinating and beautiful insect” from “YIKES, IT’S A MONSTER! RUN AWAY!” You really can have too much of a good thing, y’know?

Female broad-bodied chaser, just emerged from the pond to begin her adult life.

Given that this post is about both running and knitting, I’ve been thinking about how the two activities are almost exactly the same. No please, hear me out. Think about it: if you’d never done either, you’d look at the marathon or the laceweight Fair Isle jumper in the same way – as crazy, unattainable, gigantihumonganormous projects. And yes, viewed in the whole, I suppose both of them are. But the secret to success in both cases is identical: commitment to dogged repetition of the tiny units that make up the whole. Step after step after stitch after stitch. Not looking forward too far, but sometimes allowing yourself the pleasure of looking back at how far you’ve come. There’s no point in a one-off burst of activity – instead, the route to success lies in relentless persistence and an almost meditative repetition of tiny, not-in-themselves-difficult units. A zen-like immersion in the details that ultimately make up the difficult whole. Seriously. I’ve run a marathon and I’ve knitted a well-over-100k-stitch underwater picture. Outwardly they’re very different but the mindset is the same. Just keep going.

free pattern stranded fair isle knitted cowl Stylecraft Batik

And that’s all that any of us can do, really. Just. Keep. Going.

Falling Leaves cowl stranded knitting free pattern

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Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: cancer, knit designer, knitting, running

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Comments

  1. Gee says

    June 27, 2021 at 6:18 pm

    Thanks for your thoughtful words and actions. Due to age and arthritis I can neither run nor knit your complex beautiful designs. My husband has a multiplicity of neuroendocrine tumours so I need reminding of living a step at a time so your words are so helpful

    Reply
  2. Teresa Rastoskey says

    June 27, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    You are indeed a yarn artist. My baby blanket, Jedi robe making knitting needles applaud you and your creative mind and nimble fingers. Happy running and joyful knitting.
    Teresa in soggy Michigan USA

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    June 27, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    You are one amazing woman!!

    Reply
  4. Megan Drennan says

    June 27, 2021 at 7:34 pm

    “There’s no point in a one-off burst of activity instead the route to success lies in a relentless persistence” this is also a great description of the weight loss journey I have recently embarked on …one of many such journeys in my past life, only 6 stone or so to lose! This time I am succeeding at last and it’s thanks to a psychology programme called Noom which is changing the way I think about food.
    Knitting is also involved since I spend time not eating but instead knitting blankets for dementia sufferers. Win-win. Love your blog,always encouraging and entertaining and good luck with the fun raising… decided to leave that typo in!
    Megan in Llandudno. X

    Reply
    • M-R says

      June 28, 2021 at 6:48 am

      Must look up Noom ! I’ve lost 10kg with WW points system, so far: only 20 or so more to go. :\

      Reply
  5. Tineke says

    June 27, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    Life in a nutshell “just keep on going”. I am happy there’s such an amount raised. Good to hear. I do hope this is about the book, Is it? I am so curious.

    Reply
  6. Lee Mitchell says

    June 27, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    Keep on hitting those puddles!

    Reply
  7. juliac2 says

    June 27, 2021 at 8:14 pm

    Love your posts – and your knitting, especially when it overlaps with my loves – which are nature. And when I was sitting in the garden the other day (immobile with a torn ligament….) I was so pleased when one of our young robins landed on my foot – and immediately remembered the lovely photos in your blog.
    And that’s why I’m whispering “I think that is a four spotted chaser” (great photo too!)

    Reply
  8. M-R says

    June 27, 2021 at 8:16 pm

    —which is, of course, what you are sentenced to do by each one of us out here who loves you.
    Anxiety confession, Phil: “Due to my own (breast) cancer treatment, I’ve sometimes been playing catch-up with the miles because there were times when I was too ill to run” .. And here was I, thinking all that was over ! Just goes to show how almost inconceivably stupid an old fart can be – AND one who lost her husband to (lung) cancer. Jesus christ on a bicycle ! – I am a very silly woman.
    125 miles to go, eh ? – a doddle. [grin]
    Love to hear about the medium-sized husband; and simply cannot think of the twinnage as ‘small’.
    Love most of all to simply hear from you.

    Reply
  9. Rebecca Eveland says

    June 27, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    It’s not difficult to immediately know that you’re quite an amazing person and an inspiration to those desirous of injections of wonderfulness in nature, physical challenges, life, family, fiber arts and more. I must donate to your cause, which passed me by last round, as chronic migraine interfered, laying me low for weeks. I’ve lost a number of friends to this horrible disease. Off the wall: In my position as Head, Surgical-Training, Bioskills Centre, we were one day engaged with our General Surgery folks. With donated tissue (I believe you’ll understand my meaning here), Dr. “Matt” immediately exclaimed, “Rebecca, get your hand here.” What I want to share is that we had a cancerous pancreas from a donor. Dr. Matt had found the primary tumor mid-pancreas, which was shaped like a Michelin tire. This is such a tough CA to defeat. Ten years ago lavages of chemo into the peritoneum were not uncommon. Hopefully our clinical researchers are continuing to move forward in their fight against this horrible disease. Thank you for providing the link once again. …I’m so happy that you’ll be sharing your new knitting project with us soon! Every time you hint at a new project coming down the road, honestly, it gets my fibre juices flowing. Thank you for everything you share with us, which inspires us and gives us a lift up, often on a gloomy day (even if it’s 116F outside, as in my case today).

    Reply
  10. anne spencer says

    June 27, 2021 at 9:30 pm

    Oh well done. Well done indeed. I’m so proud of you. Your victory should be shouted from the rooftops.

    Reply
  11. janetucc says

    June 27, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Keep on keeping on!

    Reply
  12. Sue says

    June 28, 2021 at 12:19 am

    You are an AMAZING LADY! Your courage and stamina take my breath away. I know you must have some low moments, but your ability to pick up and go on, one step or stitch at a time is heroic. Sending ????????????

    Reply
  13. JAN CRAGGS says

    June 28, 2021 at 12:38 am

    Just a word to say, I’m in awe if your achievement, wishing you good luck, health and a finishing line! I’ve just completed your Deer in twilight cowl, it’s as impressive in the hand as it was in you initial pictures. Pattern was inspired and inspiring. Soft bed, hot water and coffee on tap coming your way soon.

    Reply
  14. Gouthami says

    June 28, 2021 at 4:46 am

    Your blog is incredible. And it fills me with hope and longing each time. No, I don’t run – never will. But I do try to go for sedate evening strolls every day. And I crochet small pieces. And write a little. You do so much each day I am in awe! Thank you!

    Reply
  15. M-R says

    June 28, 2021 at 6:00 am

    Oh, HOW I wish I could see the comments !
    Does anyone else have this problem ?

    Reply
    • M-R says

      June 28, 2021 at 6:49 am

      NOW I see them ! Wrote mine at around 6.20am this-morning, and saw nary a comment until 4:40pm ! Ah, the mysteries of WordPress ..

      Reply
  16. Patty says

    June 28, 2021 at 3:32 pm

    ❤♥️❤♥️❤♥️❤

    Reply
  17. Lynne Guzha says

    June 28, 2021 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks for your lovely posts, amusing and thoughtful.. I keep reminding myself how wonderful it is to have a garden, somewhere to sit in it and needles with yarn. It’s good to know other people feel the same. Congratulations on your magnificent fund-raising!

    Reply
  18. Amanda S. says

    June 28, 2021 at 7:36 pm

    When I was living in the Chicago region, one of my favorite displays at the Field Museum was set in the Late Carboniferous and featured life-size replicas of those huge dragonflies and tetrapods. I’d known about the dragonflies, but not about the tetrapods. Came to know a man who was studying dragonflies and the effect of water pollution on the larvae. He was the one who showed me how the different species hunted at different elevations above the water so as not to compete with each other, just like warblers foraged in different areas of trees. Good times.

    Reply
  19. Katie K says

    June 28, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    I am honoured to call you a friend and will always be happy to help out.

    Reply
  20. adolmakr says

    July 1, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    I LOVE YOU!

    Reply
  21. Born To Organize says

    July 7, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    Congratulations. You inspire so many with your words and deeds.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      July 14, 2021 at 5:29 pm

      And you inspire me with your garden and your care for others. 🙂

      Reply
      • Born To Organize says

        July 18, 2021 at 9:53 pm

        Awwww. Thank you. xo

        Reply

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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
...

365 18

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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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
...

415 11

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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Jan 11

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

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

585 14

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 14

Open
Being a good girl for once and blocking this swatch.
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Blocking mats and pins by @knitiq . Disclosure: I didn't pay for them, BUT I've had them for several years now, and I love them (in as much as you can actually love a blocking mat).
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#strikkedilla #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strikke #strandedknitting #rowanfeltedtweed  #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #knittersofig #knitspiration #knitspo #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting

Being a good girl for once and blocking this swatch.
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Blocking mats and pins by @knitiq . Disclosure: I didn`t pay for them, BUT I`ve had them for several years now, and I love them (in as much as you can actually love a blocking mat).
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#strikkedilla #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strikke #strandedknitting #rowanfeltedtweed #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #knittersofig #knitspiration #knitspo #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting
...

249 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 15

Open
Met up with three very dear friends today. There was yarn. And gossip. And biscuits. @alicadabara @ruth_underdown @buttonspickles

Met up with three very dear friends today. There was yarn. And gossip. And biscuits. @alicadabara @ruth_underdown @buttonspickles ...

95 2

thetwistedyarn

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Oct 23

Open
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.
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If you're thinking of starting a blog, I have one very important piece of advice: DO IT!
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(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

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.
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If you`re thinking of starting a blog, I have one very important piece of advice: DO IT!
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(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
...

486 35

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 5

Open
The steeks are cut and it's beginning to look a lot like a cardigan (apart from the lack of sleeves, collar, button bands, buttons, and a really thorough blocking, but what's a few details between friends?) I'm excited that the knitted reality is coming out pretty much how I hoped when I created the design. Feel free to laugh at my hubris when it all goes wrong tomorrow...
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#knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitwear #knitdesigner #novitaknits #nevernotknitting #Fairisle #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

The steeks are cut and it`s beginning to look a lot like a cardigan (apart from the lack of sleeves, collar, button bands, buttons, and a really thorough blocking, but what`s a few details between friends?) I`m excited that the knitted reality is coming out pretty much how I hoped when I created the design. Feel free to laugh at my hubris when it all goes wrong tomorrow...
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#knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #knitwear #knitdesigner #novitaknits #nevernotknitting #Fairisle #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #fairisleknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
...

415 19

thetwistedyarn

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Mar 31

Open
Progress.
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@novitaknits
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#steek #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #Fairisle #nevernotknitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner

Progress.
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@novitaknits
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#steek #knittersofig #knitspo #knitspiration #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisletechniques #fairislefriday #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #Fairisle #nevernotknitting #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner
...

395 16

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 25

Open
Spring has never been more welcome. View looking upwards as I walked home after taking the twinnage to school. For once, I wasn't even knitting as I walked.

Spring has never been more welcome. View looking upwards as I walked home after taking the twinnage to school. For once, I wasn`t even knitting as I walked. ...

261 15

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

Mar 7

Open
Public service broadcast by @thetwistedyarn! Steeks aren't scary.
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#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.
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#steeking #steek #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #Fairisle #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #knittingblog #knitdesigner #fairislefriday
...

345 31

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

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

Jun 3

Open
My lovely friend (since the age of about 4) has just turned 50. We don't usually exchange gifts but she sent me such a thoughtful present when I hit the half-century, and I wanted to do something nice for her. So I designed and made this cowl. I hope she likes it...
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikke #virkning

My lovely friend (since the age of about 4) has just turned 50. We don`t usually exchange gifts but she sent me such a thoughtful present when I hit the half-century, and I wanted to do something nice for her. So I designed and made this cowl. I hope she likes it...
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikke #virkning
...

362 52

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. 
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#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.
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#knittingandwalking #roosimine #roosimineknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #rowanfeltedtweed #estonianknitting #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning
...

208 3

thetwistedyarn

View

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
...

303 9

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 9

Open
Working on the book, fuelled by green tea and optimism.

Working on the book, fuelled by green tea and optimism. ...

193 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 2

Open
New blog post alert! See link in bio. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂

New blog post alert! See link in bio. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂 ...

278 6
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