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Redesigning

January 29, 2023 by The Twisted Yarn 17 Comments

Hello, my Fine Fibrous Friends. Perhaps that should include my Fine Furry Friends, too:-

Lately I’ve been working on a design for a Stylecraft Blogstars promotion that’ll hit a yarn shop or a screen and perhaps even some knitting needles near you this summer. The knitted version is nearly done, and if possible, I’ll create a crocheted version too. I’m not allowed to say much about the work in progress, so in the meantime please can we all just indulge my delusions of genius and assume that the finished garment will be an unusually beautiful example of technical perfection, yeah? But what on earth could I illustrate this post with instead? Oh yes, kittens. I think it’s fair to say that Hunter and Jack have settled in here at Twisted Towers.

But I did want to say something about the design process, for those of you who’ve never experienced this roller-coaster of emotion. Perhaps some designers breeze through the whole thing, confident that their creative decisions are wise, that their gauge swatches tell the honest truth, that they won’t forget to write down what size needles they used to knit the ribbing, and that the garment that drops neatly off their needles way ahead of the deadline is a fair representation of their original creative vision.

Perhaps.Dear reader, that is not what usually happens here at Twisted Towers. Please allow me to break the design process down into its four stages of GRITTY PERSONAL INADEQUACY.

1. The Vision. This is the best stage, the very best stage. Anything is possible. An entrelac representation of the gestation of squirrels. Lacework explaining tectonic drift. Wagner’s entire Ring Cycle reproduced as cables. Whatever idea excites your cerebral neurons, it’s an example of yarnsome wit. Definitely. Nobody has ever before attempted such a feat. Quite frankly, you’re a genius. What could possibly go wrong?2. The Brutal Reality-Slap Of Despair. Oh dear. Oh deary deary deary dear. In what feels like a haddock-slap to the face of my wide-eyed ambition, it turns out that there’s a reason why nobody has ever before published anything like this new idea. Who knew?! Certainly not me, in my hubristic belief in my own genius. Sigh. Lesson grudgingly learned. It turns out that I’m not an iconoclastic visionary, and frankly, this smarts. It’s tempting to weep into my pinot grigio and never design anything ever again. It’s tempting to take up an easier and less distressing hobby such as crocodile-wrestling.3. The Grudging Acceptance Of What Can Realistically Be Achieved By Mere Mortals. This stage is tough, properly tough. It’s time to rip out several tens of hours’ work, to dodge the cats’ claws as you wind the yarn back into usable balls, and to begin again. And again. You can give up at this stage, or you can decide that you’re going to put in the slog to make this thing succeed. I learned long ago that it’s never wise to ignore that little voice grumbling that some aspect of your work isn’t quite right: it’s a voice that never ever ever gets any quieter. Every rip-back-and-start-again is painful, but it leads to something better. The ripping and reworking is an inescapable part of progress. Once you can see this as a good and exciting thing and not an annoying thing, you’re on your way to success.4. The Outcome. OK, maybe the finished item is Not Too Bad. It may bear limited resemblance to your madly ambitious original vision, but that’s OK, as long as you’ve let yourself rework the design as many times as was necessary to achieve a version that triggered an inner smile of, ‘I’m proud of that’. If you’re honest with yourself, you’ll know when you’ve at long last achieved a design that is good.It’s been interesting chatting with the other Blogstars about their experiences of the design process. We have a long-running WhatsApp group where we discuss all sorts of yarny and less-yarny things. Helen was saying recently that she finds it difficult to design on demand, which made me reflect that I’m perhaps the opposite. (She gave me permission to say this here, by the way – I keep secrets for a living in my day-job, so I’m not about to become a snitch regarding people’s private stuff.) Give me a wide open canvas and I’ll stagger around feeling pitifully lost and uninspired until I face-slam into a tree and fall over. But tell me quite specifically that you need a 14cm-high crocheted lampshade on the theme of the Taj Mahal in lace-weight purple alpaca by next Tuesday afternoon, and I’M YOUR WOMAN. I love that our approaches to design are so very different, and I love that the resulting patterns we create are so diverse. It would be kinda awkward if we were all churning out similar stuff but clearly, that’s never going to happen. Long may we diverge.And one day soon, I’ll pause the cat photos for long enough to show you my new design for Stylecraft. I’ve been working and reworking it, so I hope that you’ll like it.

 

 

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Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: cats, designing, kittens, knitting, stylecraft

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Comments

  1. MR says

    January 29, 2023 at 8:45 pm

    Kittens were made to be photographed – especially by good photographers.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 29, 2023 at 8:46 pm

      Kittens were indeed DEFINITELY made to be photographed, even though they’re pesky blighters.

      Reply
      • perraverde says

        January 29, 2023 at 10:38 pm

        Hahaha, I totally concur, having my own pesky blighter who likes nothing better than to slap at the needles and if a ball of wool falls to the ground…uh oh, I’m done for!! But she’s sooooo cute and so are yours, so theres that! 🙂 Thanks for your news, its always a pleasure to read. xx

        Reply
        • The Twisted Yarn says

          January 31, 2023 at 6:49 pm

          Yup, it’s a good thing they’re so cute, given their propensity for trouble…

          Reply
  2. Barbara Stafford says

    January 29, 2023 at 8:54 pm

    I love the cat pictures! They are beautiful felines (are there in fact two of them? Probably you can tell them apart. I can’t.) I can imagine, without ever having lived with a cat, that knitting a complicated, multicolored design while evading cat claws adds a whole additional dimension of difficulty. You’re amazing.

    It’s always a delightful surprise to fine a new post from you in my in box. Thank you for brightening my day!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 29, 2023 at 8:56 pm

      Thank you so much! Yes there are two cats, and yes they’re difficult to tell apart. But it’s similar to my experience with identical twin sons so I can’t really complain.

      Reply
  3. Lucy, Netley Abbey, Hampshire says

    January 29, 2023 at 9:03 pm

    Your “pesky blighters” are absolutely gorgeous and remind me of those frustrating, joyful days when my furry family were younger, smaller and often peskier. With 3 recently turned a year they seem to be galloping toward more adult forms of mischief as well as becoming so much bigger. The 2 who are 8 months still have their quixotic kittenness and a delight at climbing inside my dungarees bib (the older 3 no longer fit though they’d like to).
    Looking forward to more gorgeous pictures of Hunter and Jack interspersed with knitting and vegetables.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 31, 2023 at 6:50 pm

      Oh your no-longer-baby cats sound GORGEOUS! Long may they make you smile.

      Reply
  4. Peggi says

    January 29, 2023 at 11:18 pm

    Those kittens are adorable and oh so lucky little ones to be living at your place. What a life! Am soon to be joined by my 8 week old Standard Poodle puppy. Can’t wait, but know knitting will have to take a back seat for a while. Puppy proofing the place and egads, I feel like I’ve never had a pet before! Many, many cats and dogs through life, but this one will probably outlive me, so am planning to enjoy him thoroughly.
    I applaud your designing efforts. It must be challenging to feel like you’re coming up with something not done before. Looking forward to seeing what you’ve done.
    By the way, that sweater for the Finnish yarn company, any news of patterns for us?
    Thank you for continued entertainment no matter the subject!

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 31, 2023 at 6:52 pm

      Aww, may your puppy bring you endless joy. Yikes you’re right, though, I REALLY need to get on with publishing the cardigan pattern. Apologies. I’m far too distractable.

      Reply
  5. highlandheffalump says

    January 29, 2023 at 11:37 pm

    Oh my, I need to go back and read the words again, I kept getting lost looking at the cute kitten photos.

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 31, 2023 at 7:05 pm

      Ha ha ha! Nah, ignore the words, just smile at kitties.

      Reply
  6. captelaine says

    January 30, 2023 at 2:36 pm

    What cute kitties you have… now what was this blog post about… doesn’t matter I love kitty pics..

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 31, 2023 at 7:06 pm

      No idea what this blog post was about, I’m just here for the kitties too!

      Reply
  7. booplebum says

    January 30, 2023 at 3:43 pm

    The knitting news is very interesting, but lets face it, I’m only really here for the toe beans! Many, many, many years ago we also had a yucca in a pot like that. I found that cats see the yucca as as a multi-purpose plant – climbing tree / vantage point, scratch post & convenient litter tray. RIP yucca :o(

    Reply
    • The Twisted Yarn says

      January 31, 2023 at 7:07 pm

      Oh yikes! That was all sounding good until the litter tray bit. Also yes, I understand that NOBODY is reading this post for the knitting-related chatter!

      Reply
  8. Teresa in Michigan US says

    March 8, 2023 at 7:40 am

    How, oh no how did this post not show up in my email box??? I was wondering where you had gone. Now I know. You’ve gone to the kittens!!! The adorable, annoying kittens who may be officially named Hunter and Jack but we all know they are now named “No-NO!” and “Stop That!”. Nope, not one word about your process to create. We all know you are clever, persistent and never reuse your yarn until it no longer resembles the original, out of the skein product and that your yarn-work-space is not littered with little notes with the latest changes on them. Nope. Not one word.

    Reply

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@novitaknits
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Progress.
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@novitaknits
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Jul 27

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Annnnnd breathe. Post-work knitting in the garden. Not shown because I don't have four hands: a large glass of wine and a book.
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#knittingoutside #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting @stylecraftyarns #stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers

Annnnnd breathe. Post-work knitting in the garden. Not shown because I don`t have four hands: a large glass of wine and a book.
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#knittingoutside #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting @stylecraftyarns #stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers
...

299 13

thetwistedyarn

View

Mar 22

Open
Knitting and walking in two colours at once. What could possibly go wrong...
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Yarn is lovely @novitaknits
Merino 4ply.
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#knittingandwalking #knitoutdoors #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #knitfairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #nevernotknitting

Knitting and walking in two colours at once. What could possibly go wrong...
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Yarn is lovely @novitaknits
Merino 4ply.
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#knittingandwalking #knitoutdoors #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knitspo #knitspiration #garn #strikkedilla #strikke #virkning #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #knitfairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #nevernotknitting
...

423 9

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 11

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). 🙂

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). 🙂 ...

152 5

thetwistedyarn

View

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

View

Aug 15

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (link in bio). It was going yo be about knitting, but then I got carried away...

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com (link in bio). It was going yo be about knitting, but then I got carried away... ...

219 7

thetwistedyarn

View

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

View

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

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 24

Open
Thank goodness I'm not a perfectionist. 
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting

Thank goodness I`m not a perfectionist.
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#fairislecardigan #fairisletechniques #fairisleknitting #fairisledesign #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting
...

200 14

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

View

Jul 30

Open
I've done walking-and-knitting plenty of times on here. Time for WALKING-AND-KITCHENER-STITCH! OK, I was only wandering round and round outdoors, not hiking up a mountain in a blizzard, but still. 
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers #walkingandknitting #knittingandwalking #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #fairisle #fairisleknitting #garn #strikke #strikkedilla #strikstrikstrik #virkning #nevernotknitting #kitchenerstitch

I`ve done walking-and-knitting plenty of times on here. Time for WALKING-AND-KITCHENER-STITCH! OK, I was only wandering round and round outdoors, not hiking up a mountain in a blizzard, but still.
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#stylecraftyarns #stylecrafthighlandheathers #walkingandknitting #knittingandwalking #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #strandedknitting #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #fairisle #fairisleknitting #garn #strikke #strikkedilla #strikstrikstrik #virkning #nevernotknitting #kitchenerstitch
...

144 10

thetwistedyarn

View

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

View

Aug 9

Open
There's a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Enjoy.

There`s a new blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Enjoy. ...

145 0

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 6

Open
There's a new-yesterday post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). But just to respond to people's comments on the post, don't worry, I'm not injured or ill! I was just commenting on the universe's general propensity to cause trouble!
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#knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #breaconbeacons #breaconbeaconsnationalpark #ilovewales

There`s a new-yesterday post at thetwistedyarn.com (or see link in bio). But just to respond to people`s comments on the post, don`t worry, I`m not injured or ill! I was just commenting on the universe`s general propensity to cause trouble!
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#knittersofig #knittersofinstagram #knittersofinsta #knitspo #knitspiration #breaconbeacons #breaconbeaconsnationalpark #ilovewales
...

127 4

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 16

Open
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! ...

301 75

thetwistedyarn

View

May 22

Open
Sunday morning stitchery, fuelled by green tea. Watching insects bumbling about amongst the #nomowmay grass. Enjoying @novitaknits yarn.

Sunday morning stitchery, fuelled by green tea. Watching insects bumbling about amongst the #nomowmay grass. Enjoying @novitaknits yarn. ...

138 3

thetwistedyarn

View

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

View

Oct 31

Open
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

View

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

View

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

View

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

View

Oct 31

Open
Corrugated rib. The trickiest bit of this technique is finding a third hand to hold the camera.
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#corrugatedrib #corrugatedribbing #fairisle #fairislefriday #rowanfeltedtweed #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #advancedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration

Corrugated rib. The trickiest bit of this technique is finding a third hand to hold the camera.
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#corrugatedrib #corrugatedribbing #fairisle #fairislefriday #rowanfeltedtweed #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #advancedknitting #knitspo #knitspiration
...

269 9

thetwistedyarn

View

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
...

206 4
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