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In Which The Universe Laughs Heartily At My Expense

May 3, 2022 by The Twisted Yarn 52 Comments

Hello my Fine Fibrous Friends, and thank you for your kindness in response to my last post. Your words have been a comfort. Seriously.

Meanwhile, this week’s life lesson has been, BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR. Also, WHEN YOU’RE IN A HOLE, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY RECONSIDER YOUR URGE TO DIG. With a side order of, TRUST THE DILIGENT WORK YOU’VE PUT INTO DESIGNING AND DON’T MAKE STUPID IMPULSIVE DECISIONS LATE AT NIGHT. Would you like to see details of my humiliation? Of course you would.

This blog relies on stuff going wrong to fuel a few maybe-amusing anecdotes. If, for example, the Stoic Spouse was devoured by a man-eating shark that was living undetected in our little wildlife pond, then of course 99% of my thinking would be, “Oh no, my cherished husband has met a brutal and untimely end, and our sweet children will be bereft.” But there’s a teeny weeny little bit of me that’d be musing, “Hmm, I reckon I could get two – maybe even three – blog posts out of this, if I embellish the story a bit.”

(Don’t worry, no actual husbands were harmed in the making of this blog post.)

I did draft a post, and tinkered with it for weeks, but it wasn’t good enough. It’s frustrating, I thought, that nothing yarn-related has gone spectacularly wrong lately.

As I said, be careful what you wish for. Very careful.

I’ve been working on a couple of design commissions for the fabulous Finnish yarn company, Novita. There’s a cardigan-in-progress that I’ve been showing sometimes on my main Instagram account (as opposed to my garden and food-growing Insta account). And you know what? I’m pretty pleased with how the cardigan turned out – the motifs, the carefully fitted shaping, the everything. Details of the pattern have fallen neatly into place. The sleeves fitted perfectly into the armscyes and the steeks behaved themselves.

With that much hubris, it was fairly certain that the universe was gearing up for a laugh at my expense. I finished the knitting and measured the result. Hmm, a little bigger than it should have been, but it was nothing that a robust wash-and-block couldn’t resolve, right?

Head chopped off because life/peri-menopause/cancer-treatment has done a number on my appearance. Let’s just pretend that I still look like the picture in the sidebar.

Wrong. With a late-night concern that my gauge was over-tight – despite swatch-derived evidence to the contrary as I carefully created the pattern – I’d upped my needle size when I started knitting the sample garment. Which was fine. Totally fine. Until the finished object was off the needles and on to the blocking boards, soggy and very, very, spready. I really should have relaxed and trusted the swatch. I’d disobeyed my own thoroughly-checked pattern and created a disaster. My OK-sized cardigan was way larger than the dimensions I’d promised Novita. What on earth should I do? I needed to send the finished object off to Finland to be photographed, pronto.

A sensible person would have calmly considered their options before taking action. I am not a sensible person.

Heat, that’s what this thing needed, right? First I re-washed and agitated it at the hottest temperature I dared (which wasn’t very hot at all, because whilst I hadn’t been commissioned to design a cardigan that would house an entire family, I also hadn’t been commissioned to design baby clothes for underweight mice). And I pinned it out on the board, all squidged into something not too far from the correct dimensions, hoping that it would take the hint. Reader, I now know that knitting is invulnerable to hints.

I should have stopped digging this hole that I was in, but… I didn’t. I fetched the hairdryer. I set it to maximum super-hot nuclear-level mega-blast – a setting that I’d never even dream of using on my own hair. I held it barely a centimetre over the pinned-out garment. That was how I learned the lesson that it’s possible to leave burn-marks on wool-based yarn with a hairdryer.

Finally, finally, I realized that it was time to stop excavating this hole that I’d dug. I went for a run to de-stress. That helped a lot. I discussed the situation with the Stoic Spouse who – mercifully – hadn’t been devoured by a shark. And then I left the cardigan pinned to the boards for a couple of days whilst it finished drying naturally.

Meanwhile, it’s a very exciting time of year on the food-growing front.

You know what? By the time it was completely dry, it had settled into a not-wildly-unacceptable size. Bigger than I’d promised the yarn company, but I’m all for inclusive sizing so hopefully they won’t mind. The cardigan now fits me perfectly, but I’ve never been super-slender model material. Just in case, I’m speed-knitting a replacement using the needles THAT I SPECIFIED IN MY OWN FREAKIN’ PATTERN.

Lesson learned. Trust diligent swatching and pattern creation over late-night jitters about whether your knitting might be fractionally too small.

A twin on a log in the New Forest.

Tomorrow’s life lesson will be all about the dangers of putting off one’s to-do list by drafting a blog post instead.

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Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: knit designer, knitting, stranded knitting

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Comments

  1. slottow says

    May 3, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    Not a whole (hole?) Lot makes me smile these days. Your blog made me laugh out loud. I won’t say why. Thanks.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 6:59 pm

      Yikes, I hope it isn’t because you’ve fed your partner to a pond-shark?
      But seriously, thank you. And may you discover other things that raise a smile.

      Reply
  2. Tineke says

    May 3, 2022 at 8:11 pm

    It is such a sweet cardi, but not an xs. Who cares, the world isn’t consisting of xs woman. Not even in Finland. I know you wanted to write blogs, but don’t do that to Stoic spouse, I mean a shark in your pond. Oi. Wildlife preserve will come to your address and goodness know what more trouble it will give.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:04 pm

      Don’t worry, I’m not actually WISHING for my husband to be eaten by wildlife. I’m just saying that it such a tragedy were to occur, I’d be simultaneously grieving and drafting a post. (Not really, don’t worry, I’m not a total psychopath.)

      Reply
  3. Carol says

    May 3, 2022 at 8:59 pm

    About 2 years ago I set aside a beautiful cardigan which is all but finished, complicated cables etc all over the upper half, the lower half seems disinclined to agree with body measurements & re-doing will require major disassembled. Some day when I’m feeling strong & courageous….

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      Ouch, I really do feel your pain. Trust me, I understand. May you one day very soon feel confident to rework the lower half.

      Reply
  4. Jane Silverman says

    May 3, 2022 at 9:01 pm

    Thank you. It is comforting to know one is not alone in “hole-digging”!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      Oh dear, I’m sorry that you too understand the experience!

      Reply
  5. Barb N S says

    May 3, 2022 at 9:07 pm

    Your creation is gorgeous. No matter what size it turned out, it would fit someone perfectly and make that lucky person very happy. And it’s always a delight to read your blog posts. Thank you for being such a lovely, upbeat voice!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      And thank you for being incredibly generous with your words.

      Reply
  6. annvpenn says

    May 3, 2022 at 9:17 pm

    Love the Cardi, how is it that no matter how much prep and work we’ve put in the apprehension doesn’t stop until the trying on stage. Have faith in your ability.
    Can I ask why you blocked before setting the sleeves, never considered that option before.?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      Because I wanted the pieces to be their final dimensions, so that I’d be joining them true to how the finished garment would look. I hope that vaguely makes sense?!

      Reply
  7. sp00kyp says

    May 3, 2022 at 9:21 pm

    The cardi is, as always, beautiful. Even in bits with scorch marks.
    I think the Finnish Folk can vary in size the same as anyone else, so you’re efforts will be much appreciated 🙂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      I hope so. And thank you for your kindness.

      Reply
  8. Isabel says

    May 3, 2022 at 9:31 pm

    I am a great believer in the power of the fibrous fudge. My masterwork jumper took me 25 years to knit and when the pieces were all done I realised I’d done the front a different size from the back. Some creative blocking and a bit of jiggery pokery with the sewing up and no-one is any the wiser. I think your cardigan looks fab and that the yarn manufacturers should take some responsibility for a yarn that behaves so very badly when wet. Let the universe laugh at its peril.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      “Fibrous fudge” = BEST PHRASE EVER! Please may I steal it? And yes, I completely and utterly agree with you.

      Reply
      • Isabel says

        May 6, 2022 at 7:07 am

        Please feel free. I’d be honoured 😊

        Reply
  9. Julie Bailey says

    May 3, 2022 at 10:06 pm

    Um…I have figured out what needles to use on a project and then picked up the wrong ones! Im just glad to see someone else does daft stuff like that…

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      Oh no! I’ve made every other mistake known to yarn but have yet to try that one. Please don’t give my subconscious ideas…

      Reply
  10. Bobbie Jean says

    May 4, 2022 at 12:51 am

    I think that has to be one of the most beautiful handmade works of wool I have ever seen. Had I “mismade” it for any living human, they would have to grow into it. Or wait for a reboot. You are an artiste. But, perfectionism makes us do crazy.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:17 am

      I think so, too!

      Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      Bobbie, and Laura, stop! You’re making a grown woman blush. (Or maybe it’s the start of a menopausal hot flush – who knows?!) Seriously, thank you for your kindness. It just so happens that I found a use for a lifelong history of doodling.

      Reply
  11. captelaine says

    May 4, 2022 at 1:08 am

    It is a lovely sweater, and an entertaining post was gotten out of it, and the spousal unit is safe and sound, and the little ones, still have a happy home… Happy Mother’s Day dear lady.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:15 pm

      Thank you so much! You’re right: nothing properly catastrophic has happened.

      Reply
  12. MR Stringer says

    May 4, 2022 at 2:08 am

    Philippa you are my joy.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      And you are – as ever – far too generous in your assessment, my dear.

      Reply
  13. Peggi says

    May 4, 2022 at 2:49 am

    Looking forward to purchasing that pattern for the sweater. It’s a delightful take on two co,or knitting. Looks like lots of fun. I didn’t see when it would be available, but I want it!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  14. rebelflairsnowbird says

    May 4, 2022 at 2:52 am

    Love the new cardigan, looks like fun to knit. When can we get a copy of the pattern?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:18 pm

      I need to speak to the yarn company, because the plan is that it will be published in Finnish in their magazine. I’ll ask them whether there’s any way that I can bring this to English-speaking friends. I’d happily email you the pattern (when I’ve finished writing it up!) but I do need to check with Novita about how they see the situation.

      Reply
  15. Sharon Pearse says

    May 4, 2022 at 6:51 am

    That is one awesome cardigan, Phil. Love the dragonflies on the shoulders.

    Will there be patterns in English, or will we have to Google Translate from the Finnish?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:20 pm

      I fear that you may have to resort to Google Translate, on the offchance that you’re not completely fluent in Finnish. But I’m going to talk to Novita about whether there’s a way to make this available in English too. I’d happily email you the pattern (once I’ve finished writing it up) but I just need to check with Novita what their thoughts are.

      Reply
      • Sharon says

        June 1, 2022 at 1:44 pm

        Purely out of interest – how do you get the garter stitch bands on the ‘hem’ and cuffs to stay in place? I’ve knitted things with such garter stitch bands, which have a nasty tendency to flip up. No matter how hard I block them!

        Reply
        • The Twisted Yarn says

          June 4, 2022 at 5:21 pm

          Hi Sharon, It’s an inexact science! But I usually go down a needle size for the garter stitch, and block the finished thing to within an inch of its life. Seems to mostly work…

          Reply
  16. craftilycreative Heather says

    May 4, 2022 at 6:57 am

    Always happy to see a blog from you as I know I shall get smiling when reading it! Thank you xx

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:20 pm

      And always happy to see a comment from you because you’re very kind!

      Reply
  17. pomegranateandchintz says

    May 4, 2022 at 8:43 am

    Oh Phil – I actually yelped when I saw the cardi in pieces! I would have gladly taken it off your hands (there’s no way you’ll find me knitting something like this – much admired but not to be tackled in these hands). So glad the SS is still in one piece (and I’m betting not going near the pond).

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      Don’t worry, the SS is very much alive and well. And thank you for your kindness. The cardigan is now all joined up and has been posted off to Finland. Hurrah!

      Reply
  18. kamiller677 says

    May 4, 2022 at 12:37 pm

    I throughly enjoy reading your blogs. Whether they’re sad, funny or serious you truly have a way of writing that keeps me reading. Thank you

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      Thank you so much. It’s comments like this that keep me going. Thank you.

      Reply
  19. thefairislering says

    May 4, 2022 at 2:14 pm

    I thoroughly hope you won’t stick to your swatches, this needs a sequel 😂

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 4, 2022 at 7:22 pm

      Ha! Don’t worry, I’m fairly confident that there’ll be further disasters in my knitted future, and I promise to come here and tell you about them.

      Reply
  20. Beth Geraghty says

    May 4, 2022 at 10:30 pm

    You’re art blows me away. Thank you for inspiring!

    Reply
  21. jennyff says

    May 5, 2022 at 7:19 am

    I think you’ve been really hard on yourself, that is a beautiful piece of work so be proud. As someone who has managed in 4 days about 12 rows of a not very wide not very lacy scarf, I laughed out loud at your idea a speed knitting another cardigan. Amazing.

    Reply
  22. Lynn says

    May 5, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    I love your blogs. You always have that wonderfully twisted viewpoint that makes me laugh! What impresses me more than anything else is how you plow thru and eventually correct your knitting snafu! Mine get chucked into a bag to be forgotten. I get so mad at it! It takes me a long time to forgive! When I do, I realize it wasn’t a big deal to begin with! Gah!

    Reply
  23. Gabrielle says

    May 7, 2022 at 6:32 am

    Your words always lighten my days. Although I never will attain the proficiency level of your work, it doesn’t matter. I am content to admire, gasp in awe, learn what I can, and marvel at the inspiration of your life. Hugs to you!

    Reply
  24. Sharon Pearse says

    May 7, 2022 at 9:29 am

    Ah yes, the ‘joys’ of copyright and publishers. Fair enough. I have a couple of jumpers ‘in waiting’ as it’s been a bit warm recently and likely to get warmer yet, so I can wait.

    BTW – I notice you do garter stitch bands. How do you stop the bottom band from turning up all the time? Is there a Recommended Way That Works that I’ve not discovered in over fifty years of knitting? I’ve knitted DH a cardigan with garter stitch bands and the bottom one just flips up. I’m sure this isn’t entirely to do with the way he wears it and is the property of it being garter stitch. The yarn is wool, but contains Other Fibres, so, while it’s blocked ok, I’m not sure how it might react to further (mis)treatment. Thnx

    Reply
  25. Mrs M Wilkinson says

    May 15, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    I was merrily reading along, having a bit of a chuckle at your wit until I came to the pic of the cardi sans sleeves, WOAH, you did what?? Whatever possessed you? Deffo in deep breath and walk away territory there! Still, alls well that ends well, bless you. By the way the cardi is actually superb! x

    Reply
  26. Tanya Swinfen-Wilkes says

    May 17, 2022 at 10:53 am

    Utterly, utterly beautiful! I saw your swatches in Simply Knitting and looked you up as I loved the colours and motifs. Along with many of the knitters above please let us know if/when the pattern might be available in English. It’s a long time since I’ve done colourwork, but this would lure me back!!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 17, 2022 at 11:58 am

      Thank you! I’m checking with the yarn company who will be publishing it. Fingers crossed…

      Reply
  27. kmkat says

    May 27, 2022 at 9:04 pm

    Your cardigan is right up there with Stonehenge and the Easter Island heads — magnificent and otherworldly in its complexity. Well done, you! But I must take slight umbrage at your description of your physical appearance. While of course you are lovely in the photo that appears in your sidebar, it seems to me that anyone who doesn’t think your current “life / peri-menopausal / cancer treatment” appearance is anything less than the appearance of a Strong Survivor Who Is Still In There Fighting is a dipsh!t and a contempible person. We all need people like you to inspire us.

    Reply
  28. Suzy says

    July 23, 2022 at 9:42 am

    As a larger person, I’m always terrified the item that I’ve sold a kidney to buy the wool for…. Won’t fit, or won’t fit well enough for regular wear. And so I upsize, then a bit more and a bit more and I either end up with something a baby elephant would be comfortable in, or I get weird issues like my less than average chest is swamped and my more than average tummy bursts out like a cheap Buddha 😂

    Reply

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Mar 5

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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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Jan 23

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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. ...

335 4

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 31

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Crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
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@novitaknits #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #novita #novitaknits

Crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
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@novitaknits #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #nevernotknitting #knittingblogger #novita #novitaknits
...

103 3

thetwistedyarn

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May 24

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A yoke is taking shape. Yarn by @novitaknits .
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#fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #jacquardknit #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #yoke #yokejumper #yokesweater #knittingtopdown

A yoke is taking shape. Yarn by @novitaknits .
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#fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #jacquardknit #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #yoke #yokejumper #yokesweater #knittingtopdown
...

123 4

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 30

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Busy on the book. 
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed

Busy on the book.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #fairisle #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed
...

152 7

thetwistedyarn

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Oct 31

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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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Aug 29

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see link in bio.
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@permaculturemagazine This post includes a heartfelt recommendation of Alan Carter's brilliant book about food forests.
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecraft #stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairislekjitting #tricot #tricoteuse
#garn #strikke #virkning #yarnspo #knitspo #knitspiration #knittingpattern #howtoknit

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see link in bio.
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@permaculturemagazine This post includes a heartfelt recommendation of Alan Carter`s brilliant book about food forests.
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecraft #stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairislekjitting #tricot #tricoteuse
#garn #strikke #virkning #yarnspo #knitspo #knitspiration #knittingpattern #howtoknit
...

183 0

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 23

Open
We popped down to the New Forest for the day. The twinnage loved it. There was, of course, some knitting. 
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#knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #knitspo #knitspiration #novitaknits #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning

We popped down to the New Forest for the day. The twinnage loved it. There was, of course, some knitting.
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#knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #knitspo #knitspiration #novitaknits #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #Fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairislefriday #fairislecardigan #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning
...

272 4

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

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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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

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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

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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.
.
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
...

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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
...

303 9

thetwistedyarn

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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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