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Snail Porridge

May 26, 2022 by The Twisted Yarn 49 Comments

A hundred hearty hellos to you, my Fine Fibrous Friends.

I’ve chattered here lately about the cardigan design commissioned by Novita yarns. At the risk of triggering yarny catastrophe via sheer hubris, I’m pleased with the result. It’s a combination of stranded colourwork, gentle-shaping-without-messing-up-the-motifs, and four (four! FOUR!) steeks. For those of you who were asking about an English-language version of the pattern, I’ve been told that three months after it’s published in Finnish via Novita’s beautiful magazine, I’ll be able to publish it in English wherever I like. Novita is wonderful, did I mention that? It’s honestly been a joy to work with them and their yarns. 11/5: would recommend.

The Stoic Spouse wants to name this pattern Snail Porridge. Allow me to explain why. When I do something, I tend to do it to an extreme degree. Maybe wise, maybe not, but it works for me and has led to some cool life experiences along the way. The Stoic Spouse is a fan of the chef Heston Blumenthal. For those of you who haven’t encountered him (Heston, I mean, not the Stoic Spouse) he’s known for his pursuit of culinary extremism, even if this involves spending well over eight hours making a simple spaghetti bolognese. Heston’s pursuit of perfection and novelty has lead to such culinary delicacies as snail porridge – hence the Stoic Spouse’s suggestion of name for the pattern. He thinks that my cardigan is the knitting equivalent of snail porridge: extreme, complex, and bonkers. He more-than-sometimes describes me as an extremist. Err… thanks, dear life-partner? Yeah?

Reader, the pattern is NOT called Snail Porridge. Its name is Äkäslompolo, in honour of a village in Finnish Lapland where I’ve spent several holidays staying with my Finnish friend Anne-Mari.

An old photo in an old photo album.

She and I became pen-friends at the age of 13, and 36 years later we’re still friends. We were planning to visit each other in 2020 but… pesky worldwide pandemic. Maybe next year?

My sons would love the wilderness and the  herds of reindeer, and rowing down the river by the light of the midnight sun (because there are no roads or paths to Anne-Mari’s woodland cabin). The cardigan has all sorts of outdoorsy motifs between the abstract patterns, because I wanted to make something about looking outwards, always looking and venturing out into the natural world rather than bothering to look inwards. And Äkäslompolo is an inspiring place to do just that.

But I digress from my loose plan for this post. Novita has also commissioned me to design a stranded dress. It’s very different in construction and style from the cardigan. It’s top-down, with a yoke that divides into sleeves and body. All day yesterday I was crunching the numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch.

The trouble is, we’ve got builders in (to make our non-functioning bathrooms functional and maybe even beautiful), so whilst I’m earnestly counting 92, 96, 100, 104 stitches, they’re in the room immediately above me yelling “23. 47? No, 48.6! FIVE. Fire? NO, FIVE, YOU WOMBLE!” That’s not to criticize the builders because they’re fantastic blokes doing sterling work in the mad circumstances of our old ex-brewery house, BUT WE NEED A ROTA AROUND HERE FOR WHO IS ALLOWED TO SPEAK NUMBERS ALOUD, OK?!

I don’t mind making the chaps a million cups of tea per hour on days when I’m at home. I don’t mind clambering over their electric saw in order to get to the washing machine, I don’t mind the small herd of vans huddled conspirationally in the car park, but PLEASE DON’T SPEAK ANY NUMBERS WHEN I’M COUNTING, OK? (You’re a knitter/crocheter, you can understand this, surely?)

And breathe.

 

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Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: Bathroom, knitting, yarn

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Comments

  1. marie sims says

    May 26, 2022 at 8:53 pm

    Wow. You are so talented. I absolutely love the cardigan. Is the pattern available?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 26, 2022 at 8:54 pm

      Thank you. It will be, initially in Finnish but three months later I’ll be allowed to publish it wherever I like.

      Reply
  2. Joanne Hortensius says

    May 26, 2022 at 9:18 pm

    The cardigan is stunningly beautiful. Thanks for posting!!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:10 pm

      And thank you for such kind words.

      Reply
  3. M-R says

    May 26, 2022 at 9:57 pm

    Oh I LOVE the thought of your truly awful frown, Phil darlin, when this happens !! 😀
    And the way your silent counting becomes vocalised, getting louder until you’re actually shouting ..
    As for the thought of a stranded knitting DRESS .. that renders me absolutely silent.
    (I can scarcely bring myself to write the work ‘steek’ .. but I will admit that it takes talent.)
    And how the SS can like the work of a man who has made snail porridge is beyond me !

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:12 pm

      Oh yes, you clearly understand about the counting. The stranded dress is an easier/quicker knit than the cardigan, I promise. (Also, steeks are easy, I promise. Some times I even cut them sober.)

      Reply
      • M-R says

        May 29, 2022 at 7:58 am

        You don’t say !! – well, that’s the only way I’d pick up a pair of scissors to something I’d crocheted .. (coz I can’t knit any more – hand arthritis) !

        Reply
  4. ania says

    May 26, 2022 at 9:59 pm

    “Right, said Fred, both of us together, one each end and steady as you go.
    Tried to shift it, couldn’t even lift it, we were getting nowhere and so …..we had a cup of tea.”
    Bet the twinnage would love this song. Available on YouTube.
    Looking forward to seeing the dress.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:13 pm

      Oh I need to go and explore this…. Thank you…

      Reply
  5. Patty says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:48 pm

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have made me smile again! ❤

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:14 pm

      And you’ve made me smile too with your kind words, so we’re even.

      Reply
  6. Vicki Margerison says

    May 26, 2022 at 10:49 pm

    Well that is just a scrumdiddlyumptous design but steeking 4 times oh heck I have the screaming ab dabs at the very thought of it 😱😱😱 (ask an elderly person to translate that if you need to).
    Ah counting when counting. I think what a coincidence they have just said the number I have just counted to but of course I haven’t I have adopted the number just said, took me awhile to realise that. So absolutely no other person should ever mention a number when knitters are counting. 😉

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      Agreed on the need for no competing numbers whilst counting. Totally agreed.

      I have no need for any translation of ‘screaming ab-dabs’ , so does that mean that I’m elderly at the age of 49?

      More importantly, my sole purpose on this planet is to convince everyone that STEEKS ARE NOT SCARY! You can do it. Seriously.

      Reply
  7. margaret (daisy) lerner says

    May 26, 2022 at 11:23 pm

    wow phil! you are so talented. the cardigan is gorgeous! your SS is right! and a 2nd commission is a real recognition for you! i can’t wait to see the design you come up with!
    hope you are well and recovered from the covid.
    best regards always,
    daisy 🙂 (aka margaret)
    ps… what is the status of your book???

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      Thank you for every word of this. Twinnage both recovered from covid and Stoic Spouse and I consistently tested negative. Book nearly(ish) done, but I really do need to make contact with my elusive editor.

      Reply
  8. designsbyheidi says

    May 27, 2022 at 2:37 am

    Your posts are SO ENTERTAINING! And I always read them with a British accent in my head. Your cardigan is simply SUPER! You truly have a gift. I can only watch in awe and wonder at your knitting skills. FANTASTIC! Keep up the great work and thank you so much for posting. I love seeing all the soggy soil and things from your garden. Here in Northern California (1 1/2 hours from Lake Tahoe), we are experiencing our 3rd year of drought. I can’t even imagine what “soggy” is like anymore. Thanks again. Hugs, Heidi

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 8:00 pm

      Oh yikes, I’m so sorry that you’re experiencing this meteorological horror. May it rain soon.

      Also, thank you for your kind words about my knitting.

      Reply
  9. Teresa in Michigan, USA says

    May 27, 2022 at 5:27 am

    Never a dull moment in your busy brain. A pen pal for years is amazing. Your cardigan is brilliant and anyone who can live with construction should get a medal. That said, thank you for the smile as I read it. This has been a doozy of a week and you landed in my in-box at the perfect time. I bow to your sense of humor. Was that 7 or 8 bows? No, I think it was 10. No wait, it was only 6. When are you putting all these posts into a book?

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 8:09 pm

      Aww, thank you. And I hope that next week will be way better for you. (If it’s any consolation, I’ve had a horrible week too, with low points including accompanying my poor struggling-to-breathe son in the ambulance to hospital. He’s fine now, but this week has been end-to-end problems.)

      Reply
      • Teresa in Michigan says

        May 27, 2022 at 11:14 pm

        May your next week be better as well. Sick kids are a mother’s private hell. This is a holiday weekend and I have a date with 108 tomato plants and 72 eggplant and countless flower bulbs to put in the ground. Next weekend is a worm party. A thousand worms will be added to the gardens with the help of my 3 grandsons. Have a Happy.

        Reply
  10. Mary says

    May 27, 2022 at 6:34 am

    Wow! What a beautiful cardigan, you clever girl. I know I would never be able to make this, not in a hundred years!!!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 8:02 pm

      You so could make this. Seriously. It’s just knitted stitches. No biggie.

      Reply
    • Laurel says

      May 28, 2022 at 11:02 pm

      You can make it. Note that you don’t need to make the whole sweater either– though it would be lots of fun. I see the flower motif as being a nice addition to a vest, say along the bottom then plain knitting above or the ends of a baby blanket. To the fear of steeks knitters, knit a circular swatch, crochet the two edges then cut. Steeks hide your yarn ends, and I add fun to them by crocheting the future steek edges with colorful sock yarn. (It will barely be seen so why not?) Steeks make finishing much easier.

      Reply
  11. AJ says

    May 27, 2022 at 6:37 am

    The picture of the reindeer brought such nostalgia of my teenage years in Fort Smith, CAN. Adore the writing style as well, thank you for the great post!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 8:01 pm

      And thank you from the bottom of my heart for saying so.

      Reply
  12. Mary Jenkins says

    May 27, 2022 at 6:45 am

    Laugh out loud as always – and the idea of looking outward is commendable- I could never attempt your wonderful cardigan but kudos to you ! That village looks pretty inviting too – thank you for brightening my morning x Mary

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:55 pm

      Thank you so very much.. (You’re really could do the cardigan if you wanted to.) And yes, looking outwards brings so many rewards.

      Reply
  13. Sharon says

    May 27, 2022 at 7:05 am

    I think Snail Porridge is a wonderful name for that cardigan, even though the only obvious reference to wildlife in it is the dragonflies (Midgies?) Have looked hard, where’s the fourth steek?
    Once did a fair isle pullover for our son, that involved three steeks & wasn’t at all fearsome, mainly cos my Stoic Spouse likes zip up jumpers, so I’d experience. Mind you, cutting the first one . . .

    All the best with the counting, and yes, that bathroom definitely looks non-functional. May it’s functionality, even beauty, be returned soon. Also just the one person mentioning numbers.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:54 pm

      I smiled and nodded all the way through this post!

      Steeks are at both sleeves, plus front opening, plus neck.

      And I’m willing to bet that your son’s pullover was fabulous. I hope he appreciated it.

      Reply
  14. Tineke Joldersma says

    May 27, 2022 at 10:26 am

    Oh yes, counting when you are counting. Enough to get bonkers for sure. I love how it became. A dress? Mmmmm, totally different? Ooooh. We will see it when your knitting perfection let it out as a whole XD

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:50 pm

      Aww thanks. Dress is completely different from cardigan in construction etc – I’m enjoying the contrast.

      Reply
  15. Nicola says

    May 27, 2022 at 2:00 pm

    A masterpiece! I’m sure the Finns will adore your pattern.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:49 pm

      I hope so…

      Reply
  16. Carol says

    May 27, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    Oh what a lovely cardigan! Please post in your blog when the pattern is available in English.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:49 pm

      Thank you. I will.

      Reply
  17. Lynne Guzha says

    May 27, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Love these posts they really cheer me up and your cardigan design is terrific.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      May 27, 2022 at 7:48 pm

      Thank you. And your comment has brought a smile to my face.

      Reply
  18. Caz says

    May 27, 2022 at 7:54 pm

    Your cardigan is great but please stop this designing for big companies (who pay money) and publish your skirt pattern😂. I’m being patient, really truly…!
    I can definitely relate to the counting, even without builders in the house. OH is trained now to recognise the signs of muttering under my breath and wait!
    Today was a colleague’s funeral. We both taught in a primary school. A poem in the order of service made me smile and I thought you and your Twinage would like it too…. I wish I was a glow worm. Glow worms are never glum, ‘cos how can you be sad when the sun shines out your bum!

    Reply
  19. Sharon says

    May 28, 2022 at 7:38 am

    He did indeed. Think he even wears it occasionally, though when he tried it on it was a tad short. I did consider removing the bottom ribbing and knitting it longer, but he said it was ok.

    Ummm, how do you steek a neck? Or should I wait for the SP pattern, in English?

    Reply
  20. Sharon says

    May 28, 2022 at 7:41 am

    He did indeed. Think he even wears it occasionally, though when he tried it on it was a tad short. I did consider removing the bottom ribbing and knitting it longer, but he said it was ok.

    Ummm, how do you steek a neck? Or should I wait for the SP pattern, in English?

    Reply
  21. Maria says

    May 28, 2022 at 8:31 am

    Hi Phil, I can’t wait to see the dress, it looks pretty already! I also have fond memories of Finland, when I stayed with my parents at a friend’s near Joensuu (quite a bit farther south).
    And I can totally relate to the counting: my 5y-old daughter is now properly learning numbers, and when I count, she says things like “12 is a really huge number, isn’t it, mummy?” or “the next number after 50 is sixty, right?”

    Reply
  22. kathyreeves says

    May 28, 2022 at 2:09 pm

    Lovely!

    Reply
  23. Susan says

    May 28, 2022 at 3:39 pm

    The taps floating in midair, with their flounce of broken ceramic are quite a sight. Please do post update photos!

    Your cardigan design is extraordinary. I can steek; it’s the colorwork that has me pausing. I know, I know, I can learn. Maybe on something smaller, though?

    Reply
  24. Helen Harle says

    May 28, 2022 at 3:49 pm

    The cardigan is lovely. I am also looking forward to a trip to Finland, once the world calms down, as my new daughter-in-law is Finnish. Her family visit England often and it would be rude not to make a return visit!

    Reply
  25. Leanna says

    May 28, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    I am on board with the rest – your cardigan is beautiful! I have never tried steeking, but one of these days I will let the scissors have a go at my knitting. And, I am very excited to see the colorwork dress! I love a good knitted tunic/dress!! Will it have pockets? I do love pockets too! Thank you, as always!!

    Reply
  26. Debbi says

    May 29, 2022 at 11:40 am

    As a weirdo who enjoys steeking (and Kitchener stitch – both make me feel rather like a magician), I think four steeks in a cardigan sounds very fun. It is a beautiful cardi and I look forward to the English publication. I am sorry to hear that your son had to go to the hospital as that is every mother’s worst nightmare but am glad it all turned out well. We are renovating bathrooms as well. It is remarkable how plaster dust works its way into every single nook and cranny in the house, the dogs, and the cat. I am in the middle of a test knit sweater so my counting needs to be accurate to be fair to the designer. Happily, my wonderful crew all speaks Spanish and that helps a lot with the counting issue. Thanks for brightening up my morning!

    Reply
  27. pomegranateandchintz says

    May 31, 2022 at 9:28 am

    Absolutely amazing cardi! Wishing you all the best with the builders….and the counting.

    Reply
  28. Jane Sturgeon says

    May 31, 2022 at 10:22 am

    What a loving post, Phil. You are so talented and your cardigan is gorgeous. As for counting builders….thanks for the bathroom beautification, but no numbers out loud. I get it! Much <3 to you. xX

    Reply
  29. Debbie says

    May 31, 2022 at 11:06 am

    Just lovely I’m excited to get the pattern. Hard work really does pay off

    Reply

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Aug 25

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Another crochet-to-the-rescue post! Two days ago I had more surgery, to deal with the outcome of previous cancer-tackling surgery. They installed a clever wound-vaccuuming device which was fine but inconvenient to carry. So I crocheted a device-carrier and now, life is so much easier! Yarn by @stylecraftyarns .

Another crochet-to-the-rescue post! Two days ago I had more surgery, to deal with the outcome of previous cancer-tackling surgery. They installed a clever wound-vaccuuming device which was fine but inconvenient to carry. So I crocheted a device-carrier and now, life is so much easier! Yarn by @stylecraftyarns . ...

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thetwistedyarn

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Jul 5

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New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com,  or see linky in comments..

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in comments.. ...

115 1

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! ...

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thetwistedyarn

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Jun 2

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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
...

109 0

thetwistedyarn

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Jun 1

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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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Nov 27

Open
Fancy a new cowl to help you brave all this pesky weather? Free pattern at thetwistedyarn.com or see link in my bio. Enjoy.
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#stitchfiddle

Fancy a new cowl to help you brave all this pesky weather? Free pattern at thetwistedyarn.com or see link in my bio. Enjoy.
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#stitchfiddle
...

369 20

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. ...

270 6

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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Dec 6

Open
Want to knit a spot of Christmas cheer? New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in my bio.

Want to knit a spot of Christmas cheer? New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see linky in my bio. ...

191 3

thetwistedyarn

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May 6

Open
Friday night post-work chillin'. 
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #Fairisle #fairiskefriday

Friday night post-work chillin`.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #Fairisle #fairiskefriday
...

319 4

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 31

Open
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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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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Feb 25

Open
When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I'd one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule

When life imitates "art". Note the little crocheted kitten beside the pond, paws stretched out, just like the real thing. I had no idea when I crocheted/knitted this chair cover that I`d one day be a kitten-slave for real. #blackcatsrule ...

291 9

thetwistedyarn

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Sep 10

Open
Knitting the 'spring' colourway of my next pattern. Nearly done. Yarn is @stylecraftyarns Highland Heathers. 
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #knitdesigner #freeknittingpattern #garn #virkning

Knitting the `spring` colourway of my next pattern. Nearly done. Yarn is @stylecraftyarns Highland Heathers.
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#stylecrafthighlandheathers #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisleknitting #fairisle #fairislefriday #knitspo #knitspiration #knitdesigner #freeknittingpattern #garn #virkning
...

161 0

thetwistedyarn

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Oct 26

Open
This is going to sound like a paid advert, but I swear that it's not. I've just stumbled across a website called @YarnSub and it's awesome! You can enter the name of any yarn and it'll give you the best possible substitutions with a % match score based on gauge, texture, fibre, etc. See https://yarnsub.com and enjoy!

This is going to sound like a paid advert, but I swear that it`s not. I`ve just stumbled across a website called @YarnSub and it`s awesome! You can enter the name of any yarn and it`ll give you the best possible substitutions with a % match score based on gauge, texture, fibre, etc. See https://yarnsub.com and enjoy! ...

168 18

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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Dec 25

Open
Merry Christmas, people! May the coming year be filled with your favourite yarn.

Merry Christmas, people! May the coming year be filled with your favourite yarn. ...

224 7

thetwistedyarn

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Feb 5

Open
Today. I'm mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2). 
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#knitdesigner

Today. I`m mostly contemplating shoulders (pic 1) and walking with the Twinnage and Stoic Spouse (pic 2).
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#knitdesigner
...

146 2

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 11

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah?

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, yeah? ...

217 7

thetwistedyarn

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Sep 15

Open
Whilst I recover from surgery, I'm knitting another Äkäslompolo cardigan (that I designed for @novitaknits yarns) because I want one to keep! Just started the armhole steeks. The thing about having a rubbish memory is that every instruction comes as a surprise, even though I wrote it. 
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Pattern currently available in Finnish in the Novita magazine, but I'll be allowed to publish it in English in a couple of months' time. 
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #knitdesigner #fairisle #fairislefriday #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn #knitspo #knitspiration #novita #tricot #tricoter #steek #steeking #knitwear #stashknitting #handknit #handknitting #colourworkknitting #colorworkknitting #igknit #igknitters #strikstrikstrik #heirloomknits #knitting

Whilst I recover from surgery, I`m knitting another Äkäslompolo cardigan (that I designed for @novitaknits yarns) because I want one to keep! Just started the armhole steeks. The thing about having a rubbish memory is that every instruction comes as a surprise, even though I wrote it.
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Pattern currently available in Finnish in the Novita magazine, but I`ll be allowed to publish it in English in a couple of months` time.
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#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecardigan #knitdesigner #fairisle #fairislefriday #strikke #strikkedilla #virkning #garn #knitspo #knitspiration #novita #tricot #tricoter #steek #steeking #knitwear #stashknitting #handknit #handknitting #colourworkknitting #colorworkknitting #igknit #igknitters #strikstrikstrik #heirloomknits #knitting
...

361 20

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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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. ...

160 10

thetwistedyarn

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Jul 4

Open
Been a while since I posted some hospital knitting, but today I had a pre-op appointment for my post-cancer evening-up-the-boobs-so-I-don't-list-to-the-left-when-I-go-running surgery. @novitaknits

Been a while since I posted some hospital knitting, but today I had a pre-op appointment for my post-cancer evening-up-the-boobs-so-I-don`t-list-to-the-left-when-I-go-running surgery. @novitaknits ...

220 13

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
...

351 48

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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Jan 14

Open
Time to stop the colourful stuff for a while and begin crunching some serious numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
Depressive Pencils = a fabulous gift from my super friend @toads_mum 
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#knitdesigner #knittingschematic

Time to stop the colourful stuff for a while and begin crunching some serious numbers. Crunch, crunch, crunch...
Depressive Pencils = a fabulous gift from my super friend @toads_mum
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#knitdesigner #knittingschematic
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136 13

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 9

Open
Playing with the Estonian stranded technique of roosimine. Floats on the right side look like embroidery! Kinda fun.
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#roosimine #roosimineknitting #Estonia #estonianknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

Playing with the Estonian stranded technique of roosimine. Floats on the right side look like embroidery! Kinda fun.
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#roosimine #roosimineknitting #Estonia #estonianknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
...

209 5

thetwistedyarn

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Nov 20

Open
Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post.

Hairy trouble is afoot. See thetwistedyarn.com or linky in profile for new blog post. ...

212 6

thetwistedyarn

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Aug 22

Open
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: CHECK YOUR BITS AND PIECES, PEOPLE! Today was the third of my annual post-cancer mammograms. Honestly, it's uncomfortable rather than painful, and definitely worth it.
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Also, top tip: if your hair is somewhere between chin and shoulder length, take a hair bobble to tie it back, so that it doesn't interfere with the imaging. (Longer hair isn't a problem, because it can be draped over a shoulder.) I forgot this time, and had to improvise with a surgical glove! By some miracle I remembered to remove the glove before venturing back out into the hospital.
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#breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #ibeatcancer #mammogram

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: CHECK YOUR BITS AND PIECES, PEOPLE! Today was the third of my annual post-cancer mammograms. Honestly, it`s uncomfortable rather than painful, and definitely worth it.
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Also, top tip: if your hair is somewhere between chin and shoulder length, take a hair bobble to tie it back, so that it doesn`t interfere with the imaging. (Longer hair isn`t a problem, because it can be draped over a shoulder.) I forgot this time, and had to improvise with a surgical glove! By some miracle I remembered to remove the glove before venturing back out into the hospital.
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#breastcancerawareness #breastcancer #ibeatcancer #mammogram
...

396 32

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. ...

227 8

thetwistedyarn

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Apr 26

Open
Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
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#running #freedomforukraine

Decent weather for a run. Yes I do occasionally put my knitting down. The colours of this view are a statement, too.
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#running #freedomforukraine
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206 4

thetwistedyarn

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Jan 14

Open
Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns

Uh-oh. #knittingwithcats @stylecraftyarns ...

231 15

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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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

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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Jan 23

Open
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
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