the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

  • Home
  • About
  • Tutorials/Patterns
  • Contact/Media
  • Gallery (outdoors)
  • Gallery (yarn)

The Twisted Future

June 13, 2020 by The Twisted Yarn 61 Comments

(I drafted this post before anti-racist protests in the USA and then here in the UK unfolded. But see bottom of the page for my position on the matter.) If I ever become a grandmother, one day way ahead in the future, I shall tell my grandchildren all about the pandemical craziness of 2020. I might embellish a few details for comic effect, but the gist of the saga will be true. (By the way, it's tricky to illustrate a blog post about Covid-19, so I'll include photos from my garden, Continue Reading

A Token Effort

May 12, 2020 by The Twisted Yarn 21 Comments

To continue where the previous post left off, I'm now grafting chunks of skirt back together using the kitchener stitch because hey, I like to laugh in the face of potential knitpocalyse. It's not a quick process, partly because of frequent interruptions by Robyn-the-robin tapping on the window for more mealworms... or a passing twin asking, "Mummy, do birds have tongues?" or "Can you hear electricity?" or "When's lunch?" At least Robyn is able to answer one of those questions:- So, Continue Reading

More Pondlife

January 14, 2020 by The Twisted Yarn 19 Comments

When the world finally sees sense and appoints me President For Life, there are going to be some big changes around here. Obviously high on the list will be the introduction of paid knitting/crochet leave for all workers, and free access to yarn for the under-paid. But there'll also be some wildlife-friendly initiatives introduced within the first nanosecond or two of my iron-fisted forever-tenure. First of all, every garden will be mandated by law to include at least one wildlife pond. Continue Reading

A Tiny Love Story

January 2, 2020 by The Twisted Yarn 62 Comments

Happy new year, my friends. In 2020, may your yarn never tangle and may nobody interrupt you when you're counting stitches. How's your new year going so far? Here at Twisted Towers, I've knitted a few rounds of sock, cleaned out the water-butt (yuckety-yuck), and taken the twinnage to the dentist. And a few days ago, something magical happened, involving this beauty:- You'll know the basics already if you follow me on Instagram, but here's the whole story. Do you remember last summer, Continue Reading

Fun With Power Tools

October 12, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 44 Comments

Never, ever, in the history of everything, has a woman waited with such excitement for a mountain of well-rotted compost to be plonked on her doorstep. Oh hang on, perhaps I need to rewind this a teensy bit. Shall we knit/crochet a little whilst I explain? If it’s OK, I’ll finish sewing the buttons on to the Trip To Town cardigan that I’m making for my friend Alice. (Pattern by Drops here.) If you’re reading this, Alice, please pretend not to have noticed that last sentence, or the photo Continue Reading

France

August 19, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 46 Comments

Ah, home. Home is where the yarn is. Also, the third set of 4mm circular knitting needles, just in case a freak tidal wave washes away the other two sets. (We're 50 miles from the sea, but it's not a risk that I'm willing to take.) Home is also the last known location of the Stoic Spouse's secret chocolate stash, but he keeps moving it and I'm struggling to figure out its latest hiding place. I mention home because we've just returned there after a week's holiday in the champagne region Continue Reading

Juniper And Friends

August 7, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 32 Comments

Proof that the universe has a fine sense of humour: just as my yarnthusiasm returns, I damage my hand by over-eager wool-tugging between DPNs. Yeah thanks, universe - feel free to stop chuckling now. It's quite ouchy, but I've switched to knitting continental-style in order to give my right hand a break. I've been working on this new design for way too many weeks. When this thing is done, it'll be... I dunno, maybe twenty thousand stitches or so? But m-a-n-y times that number have gone into Continue Reading

Here Be Dragons

July 16, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 12 Comments

Every time, EVERY TIME I go outdoors to take a yarn-related picture, some bit of the natural world shows up and diverts my attention. This is M. Dragonfly, who was loitering in the reeds beside the pond, hoping to find a mate... M. Dragonfly WLTM a fellow Common Darter Dragonfly, GSOH and own pond preferred. Please no timewasters or damselflies. Yeeks, is this what this blog has become? A dating site for arthropods? Did you know that (giant) dragonflies were around before the Continue Reading

Waterside

June 12, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 32 Comments

Please (cough) excuse this (cough, cough) ridiculous, hacking cough (cough), but I've had (c... you get the idea) a chest infection for the past week, and I sound like I got lost in a cigarette factory as it caught fire. The second-worst thing about this has been not being able to go running, and the worst thing has been not being able to do much of anything else, either, NOT EVEN KNITTING! I did make it as far as the back garden the other day, where a certain feathered someone let it Continue Reading

May

May 19, 2019 by The Twisted Yarn 35 Comments

Despite appearances, this is still a knitting/crochet/running blog. But following your reactions to the last post, I thought that some of you might want to know that this happened with Robyn-the-robin. Repeatedly:- She ate from my hand, too, but I didn't manage to get a picture of that. Sometimes one of the twinnage joins me on the bench waiting quietly for her to arrive, but Robyn is wary of my boys - she stares from the fence as though to say, "Look mate, I've got a whole nestful of kids Continue Reading

Next Page »
British Craft Awards 2017
crochet knitted ikea poang chair cover cottage house garden
Have a seat!

Recent makes:-

This is thetwistedyarn. Be afraid. Be very afraid...

I'd be honoured if you followed this blog.

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 4,150 other subscribers.

thetwistedyarn

632 5,142

Knitting+silliness at thetwistedyarn.com.
NHS psychologist. Stranded knitting book out 2021. Stylecraft Blogstar. Runner. Garden @the.twisted.garden

Phil, knits+runs+cancer. 🇬🇧🇪🇺

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 26

Open
Yesterday, there was a knock on the door. My yarny friend @mandy_reid_art is an artist, and little did I know that she'd been busy painting a portrait of Robyn-the-robin. So when she turned up with the finished work as a gift, I was so overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude that I hardly knew what to say. It's beautiful. It catches her perfectly - sweet but cheeky and feisty. I knew immediately which image Mandy had used as inspiration. The painting is now hanging up in pride of place, and I'm one very happy, grateful, woman. Mandy takes commissions, by the way. Just sayin'...
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #oxfordshire #gardenwildlife

Yesterday, there was a knock on the door. My yarny friend @mandy_reid_art is an artist, and little did I know that she'd been busy painting a portrait of Robyn-the-robin. So when she turned up with the finished work as a gift, I was so overwhelmed with surprise and gratitude that I hardly knew what to say. It's beautiful. It catches her perfectly - sweet but cheeky and feisty. I knew immediately which image Mandy had used as inspiration. The painting is now hanging up in pride of place, and I'm one very happy, grateful, woman. Mandy takes commissions, by the way. Just sayin'...
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #oxfordshire #gardenwildlife
...

449 64

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 29

Open
Done!
.
.
.
.
.
#handknitting #handknit #handmade #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #nevernotknitting

Done!
.
.
.
.
.
#handknitting #handknit #handmade #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #nevernotknitting
...

335 54

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 21

Open
Hospital waiting room sock knitting. Picture one in a series of 7647568 photos. 😉 (Not really! Please don't unfollow!) Just turning the heel. But wowzers, that hurt today. Soft and comforting yarn is by the fabulous @burrow_and_soar. Just what the doctor ordered. 😊
.
.
.
.
.
#knittingthroughcancer #sockyarn #sockknittersofinstagram #fuckcancer #breastcancer #cancer #knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #iloveknitting

Hospital waiting room sock knitting. Picture one in a series of 7647568 photos. 😉 (Not really! Please don't unfollow!) Just turning the heel. But wowzers, that hurt today. Soft and comforting yarn is by the fabulous @burrow_and_soar. Just what the doctor ordered. 😊
.
.
.
.
.
#knittingthroughcancer #sockyarn #sockknittersofinstagram #fuckcancer #breastcancer #cancer #knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #iloveknitting
...

354 44

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 11

Open
Knitted Covid hat designed and made, now working on the crocheted version. Patterns to come! Yarn is Stylecraft's Highland Heathers. 
.
.
.
.
#crochet #stylecraft #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftblogstars #ilovestylecraft #crochetersofinstagram #crochetdesigner #handmade #tapestrycrochet #crochetcolourwork #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecrochet

Knitted Covid hat designed and made, now working on the crocheted version. Patterns to come! Yarn is Stylecraft's Highland Heathers.
.
.
.
.
#crochet #stylecraft #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftblogstars #ilovestylecraft #crochetersofinstagram #crochetdesigner #handmade #tapestrycrochet #crochetcolourwork #fairisle #fairislefriday #strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairislecrochet
...

613 38

thetwistedyarn

View

Oct 25

Open
Occasionally you just have to put your feet up and crochet some bunting. (Pattern for granny triangles from @attic24, then I added a few details.)
.
.
.
.
.
#crochetersofinstagram #crochet #crochetedbunting #easycrochet

Occasionally you just have to put your feet up and crochet some bunting. (Pattern for granny triangles from @attic24, then I added a few details.)
.
.
.
.
.
#crochetersofinstagram #crochet #crochetedbunting #easycrochet
...

439 38

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 16

Open
Robyn I get it, you're moulting, it's normal. But... your entire set of tail feathers at once?! Was that wise?
.
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #tamebirds #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #feedthebirds

Robyn I get it, you're moulting, it's normal. But... your entire set of tail feathers at once?! Was that wise?
.
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #tamebirds #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #feedthebirds
...

328 27

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 9

Open
Robyn-the-robin, off to check whether any more horrid clones of my Insta account have popped up overnight.

Robyn-the-robin, off to check whether any more horrid clones of my Insta account have popped up overnight. ...

329 14

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 14

Open
Happy feet! New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#sockknittersofinstagram #sockyarn @burrow_and_soar #burrowandsoar #nevernotknitting

Happy feet! New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#sockknittersofinstagram #sockyarn @burrow_and_soar #burrowandsoar #nevernotknitting
...

318 28

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 19

Open
Nope, you haven't got rid of me yet! 😁😁😁 This pic is from yesterday, three days post-surgery, walking three miles very slowly. I'm mostly dozing, or walking, or saying "Yes you can get yourself another fourteen biscuits" to the twinnage. Not really knitting yet. (I know, I know, call an ambulance right now!) THANK YOU for all your kind comments and messages. BYE BYE CANCER!
.
.
.
.
#breastcancer #cancer #oxfordshire #walkingforhealth

Nope, you haven't got rid of me yet! 😁😁😁 This pic is from yesterday, three days post-surgery, walking three miles very slowly. I'm mostly dozing, or walking, or saying "Yes you can get yourself another fourteen biscuits" to the twinnage. Not really knitting yet. (I know, I know, call an ambulance right now!) THANK YOU for all your kind comments and messages. BYE BYE CANCER!
.
.
.
.
#breastcancer #cancer #oxfordshire #walkingforhealth
...

528 122

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 12

Open
Today I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm fine, and looking on the bright side, I now have the perfect excuse to lounge on the sofa and knit even more than usual for the next few months. 😁 Normal silliness and yarniness will continue both here and on the blog, because that's just how I roll. Also, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO CROCHET A BREAST TUMOUR?! I mean, viruses look kinda cute and quirky under the microscope, but breast cancers are just BLOBS. So... I will not be releasing a pattern for this rather rubbish piece of crochet.
.
.
.
#crochetersofinstagram #breastcancer #cancerdiagnosis #cancer #cancerpatient

Today I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm fine, and looking on the bright side, I now have the perfect excuse to lounge on the sofa and knit even more than usual for the next few months. 😁 Normal silliness and yarniness will continue both here and on the blog, because that's just how I roll. Also, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO CROCHET A BREAST TUMOUR?! I mean, viruses look kinda cute and quirky under the microscope, but breast cancers are just BLOBS. So... I will not be releasing a pattern for this rather rubbish piece of crochet.
.
.
.
#crochetersofinstagram #breastcancer #cancerdiagnosis #cancer #cancerpatient
...

389 218

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 5

Open
If you can't lick 'em, knit 'em. I made Covid. Pattern coming.
.
.
.
.
#covid #covid19 #covid_19 #knittingpatterns #knitCovid #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraft #knitdesigner #knittingblogger #knittingdesigner #covidart #stylecraftblogstars #knitspiration #handknitting #handknit #handmade #knitspo

If you can't lick 'em, knit 'em. I made Covid. Pattern coming.
.
.
.
.
#covid #covid19 #covid_19 #knittingpatterns #knitCovid #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraft #knitdesigner #knittingblogger #knittingdesigner #covidart #stylecraftblogstars #knitspiration #handknitting #handknit #handmade #knitspo
...

263 31

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 9

Open
Someone isn't in the mood to be hand-fed today, but she's here to say hi (and to eat the mealworms I scattered on the ground). Look how well her tail feathers have regrown! 
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife

Someone isn't in the mood to be hand-fed today, but she's here to say hi (and to eat the mealworms I scattered on the ground). Look how well her tail feathers have regrown!
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife
...

298 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 15

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree. ❤️
.
.
.
.
#knittersofig #handknit #handknitted #handknitting #knit #knitdesigner #knittersofinstagram #fairislefriday #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #strikke #garn #virkning

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree. ❤️
.
.
.
.
#knittersofig #handknit #handknitted #handknitting #knit #knitdesigner #knittersofinstagram #fairislefriday #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #strikke #garn #virkning
...

452 5

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 7

Open
Post-work.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knittingoutdoors #fairislefriday #knittersofinstagram #knittersofig #iloveknitting #nevernotknitting #yarnaddiction #knitspo #knitspiration #fridaynight #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #handknitting #handknit #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns

Post-work.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knittingoutdoors #fairislefriday #knittersofinstagram #knittersofig #iloveknitting #nevernotknitting #yarnaddiction #knitspo #knitspiration #fridaynight #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #handknitting #handknit #knittingdesigner #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns
...

447 23

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 21

Open
There's a new blog post up at thetwistedyarn.com (or see 'latest post' in my Linktree). Actually it was new yesterday, but it's still a fully up-to-date account of what's occurrin'.
.
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knit #knitspiration #knittingthroughcancer #breastcancer #fuckcancer #stylecraft #stylecraftspecialdk #stylecraftyarns

There's a new blog post up at thetwistedyarn.com (or see 'latest post' in my Linktree). Actually it was new yesterday, but it's still a fully up-to-date account of what's occurrin'.
.
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knit #knitspiration #knittingthroughcancer #breastcancer #fuckcancer #stylecraft #stylecraftspecialdk #stylecraftyarns
...

261 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 16

Open
Sunday running. ❤️

Sunday running. ❤️ ...

279 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 21

Open
One that I didn't managed to squeeze into the blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Even the drainage holes in the churchyard wall received the yarn-bombing treatment!
.
.
.
#yarnbombing #easthendred #knittingtherapy #yarntherapy

One that I didn't managed to squeeze into the blog post at thetwistedyarn.com. Even the drainage holes in the churchyard wall received the yarn-bombing treatment!
.
.
.
#yarnbombing #easthendred #knittingtherapy #yarntherapy
...

372 30

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 3

Open
My right arm may be a bit useless at the moment, but it'd have to drop off completely to stop me knitting. 😊
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #handknitting #handknit #handknitted #malabrigoyarn #malabrigolace #nevernotknitting #cancersucks #fuckcancer #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #autumnleaves  #ivymotif #ivyleaves #fairislefriday

My right arm may be a bit useless at the moment, but it'd have to drop off completely to stop me knitting. 😊
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knitspo #knitspiration #handknitting #handknit #handknitted #malabrigoyarn #malabrigolace #nevernotknitting #cancersucks #fuckcancer #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #autumnleaves #ivymotif #ivyleaves #fairislefriday
...

476 44

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 31

Open
Just time for a couple of rounds of the new skirt colours before I begin work.
.
I think Robyn might be sulking because I didn't come out the second she appeared at the window. So now I'm sitting out here with her breakfast and she's elsewhere. 
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knitspo #fairislefriday #knittersofinstagram #knittersofig #knitspiration #virkning #strikke #garn #knitdesigner #knittedskirt #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #inmygarden

Just time for a couple of rounds of the new skirt colours before I begin work.
.
I think Robyn might be sulking because I didn't come out the second she appeared at the window. So now I'm sitting out here with her breakfast and she's elsewhere.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knitspo #fairislefriday #knittersofinstagram #knittersofig #knitspiration #virkning #strikke #garn #knitdesigner #knittedskirt #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #inmygarden
...

326 18

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 2

Open
It's soooo good to be running again, especially as I've developed a nasty side-effect (cording) in my arm. But I think they must have surgically removed all my fitness as well as the cancer because I'm PLODDING! (PS: I'm not really this short, but I was trying for an arty angle.)
.
.
.
.
.
#running #runnersofinstagram #oxfordshirerunning #runningawayfromcancer #fuckcancer #breastcancer #runningwithcancer #runnerswithcancer #autumn #autumnleaves #countrylife #oxfordshire #easyrun #nevernotrunning

It's soooo good to be running again, especially as I've developed a nasty side-effect (cording) in my arm. But I think they must have surgically removed all my fitness as well as the cancer because I'm PLODDING! (PS: I'm not really this short, but I was trying for an arty angle.)
.
.
.
.
.
#running #runnersofinstagram #oxfordshirerunning #runningawayfromcancer #fuckcancer #breastcancer #runningwithcancer #runnerswithcancer #autumn #autumnleaves #countrylife #oxfordshire #easyrun #nevernotrunning
...

365 69

thetwistedyarn

View

Sep 7

Open
If I can turn a heel whilst walking with the twinnage, I can do anything, right? Like, for example, beat this silly uppity little cancerous lump. Right? Yeah?? Maybe??? 
.
.
.
.
#sockyarn #burrowandsoar #nevernotknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #sockknittersofinstagram #oxfordshire

If I can turn a heel whilst walking with the twinnage, I can do anything, right? Like, for example, beat this silly uppity little cancerous lump. Right? Yeah?? Maybe???
.
.
.
.
#sockyarn #burrowandsoar #nevernotknitting #knitinpublic #knittinginpublic #knittingandwalking #sockknittersofinstagram #oxfordshire
...

394 107

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 15

Open
A village near here has been yarn-bombed in the most delightful way. Just spent a happy hour exploring with the twinnage.
.
.
.
.
#oxfordshire #valeofthewhitehorse #yarnbombing #knitting #knittersofig #knittersofravelry #knittersofinstagram #southoxfordshire

A village near here has been yarn-bombed in the most delightful way. Just spent a happy hour exploring with the twinnage.
.
.
.
.
#oxfordshire #valeofthewhitehorse #yarnbombing #knitting #knittersofig #knittersofravelry #knittersofinstagram #southoxfordshire
...

320 24

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 4

Open
I made a simnel cake, because obviously what my family needs right now is more sugar. Also, home-made marzipan is the best. Happy Easter, people!
.
.
.
#simnelcake #easter

I made a simnel cake, because obviously what my family needs right now is more sugar. Also, home-made marzipan is the best. Happy Easter, people!
.
.
.
#simnelcake #easter
...

342 18

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 6

Open
This was our yesterday, wandering around in the countryside, AND SEEING A COMMON LIZARD! ❤️❤️❤️❤️♥️ I knitted along the way, of course.
.
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #snelsmorecommon #berkshire #countrylife #ukreptiles #commonlizard #lizard

This was our yesterday, wandering around in the countryside, AND SEEING A COMMON LIZARD! ❤️❤️❤️❤️♥️ I knitted along the way, of course.
.
.
.
.
#knittingandwalking #snelsmorecommon #berkshire #countrylife #ukreptiles #commonlizard #lizard
...

261 30

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 2

Open
#justiceforgeorgefloyd #knittersagainstracism #blackouttuesday

#justiceforgeorgefloyd #knittersagainstracism #blackouttuesday ...

172 5

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 23

Open
I love it when she stands on my foot and watches the world go by (see photos 2 and 3)..
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #tamebirds #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #oxfordshire #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird

I love it when she stands on my foot and watches the world go by (see photos 2 and 3)..
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #tamebirds #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #oxfordshire #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird
...

565 55

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 29

Open
Robyn-the-robin would prefer that I didn't shove a camera in her face whilst she's busy enjoying today's third breakfast. I can see her point, actually. 
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird #tamebirds

Robyn-the-robin would prefer that I didn't shove a camera in her face whilst she's busy enjoying today's third breakfast. I can see her point, actually.
.
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird #tamebirds
...

519 25

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 20

Open
Threatening.

Threatening. ...

235 16

thetwistedyarn

View

May 21

Open
Whenever I run past this lake, I have to stop and peer into its shallows. Today I saw tadpoles, diving beetles, dragonfly larvae, backswimmers, pond-skaters, great pond snails. This definitely didn't help my running, but it was fun. ❤️

Whenever I run past this lake, I have to stop and peer into its shallows. Today I saw tadpoles, diving beetles, dragonfly larvae, backswimmers, pond-skaters, great pond snails. This definitely didn't help my running, but it was fun. ❤️ ...

194 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Jul 6

Open
Our village is a lovely mixture of houses from hundreds of years old to finished-last-week. This timber-framed thatched beauty is towards the older and prettier end of the scale.

Our village is a lovely mixture of houses from hundreds of years old to finished-last-week. This timber-framed thatched beauty is towards the older and prettier end of the scale. ...

266 19

thetwistedyarn

View

May 18

Open
What I didn't know was that my friend Jo has been secretly making an absolutely perfect model of Robyn-the-robin. Look what appeared on my doorstep yesterday! ❤️ I can only imagine how many hours must have gone in to all that embroidery. (Jo did admit that she has calluses on her hands as a result!) It's perfect and beautiful and I will treasure it forever. But I mustn't let the real Robyn catch sight of it!
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #robins #tamewildlife #oxfordshire #southoxfordshire #freeformembroidery #embroidery #robinsofinstagram #iloverobins #feedthebirds

What I didn't know was that my friend Jo has been secretly making an absolutely perfect model of Robyn-the-robin. Look what appeared on my doorstep yesterday! ❤️ I can only imagine how many hours must have gone in to all that embroidery. (Jo did admit that she has calluses on her hands as a result!) It's perfect and beautiful and I will treasure it forever. But I mustn't let the real Robyn catch sight of it!
.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #robins #tamewildlife #oxfordshire #southoxfordshire #freeformembroidery #embroidery #robinsofinstagram #iloverobins #feedthebirds
...

445 63

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 22

Open
Sitting and knitting the sleeve of a jumper, whilst keeping half an eye on the twinnage.
.
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #malabrigo #malabrigoyarn #twinmum #twinmom #twinlife #oxfordshire #knittersgonnaknit #knittersofig #handknit #handknitted #handknitting #knit #knittersofravelry

Sitting and knitting the sleeve of a jumper, whilst keeping half an eye on the twinnage.
.
.
.
.
#knittinginpublic #knitinpublic #nevernotknitting #malabrigo #malabrigoyarn #twinmum #twinmom #twinlife #oxfordshire #knittersgonnaknit #knittersofig #handknit #handknitted #handknitting #knit #knittersofravelry
...

322 20

thetwistedyarn

View

May 26

Open
I think I may have caught the sun. 😁
.
.
.
.
#lovemygarden #californianpoppy #huaweip30pro #huaweiphoto #huaweicamera #p30prophotography #p30procamera #p30pro #oxfordshire

I think I may have caught the sun. 😁
.
.
.
.
#lovemygarden #californianpoppy #huaweip30pro #huaweiphoto #huaweicamera #p30prophotography #p30procamera #p30pro #oxfordshire
...

303 29

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 19

Open
Sometimes, you just need a little bit of easy comfort-knitting. This will be a jumper. The yarn is @stylecraftyarns Dreamcatcher and I'm enjoying watching the colour shifts play out.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftdreamcatcher #knittingstripes #iloveknitting #knitspo #knitspiration

Sometimes, you just need a little bit of easy comfort-knitting. This will be a jumper. The yarn is @stylecraftyarns Dreamcatcher and I'm enjoying watching the colour shifts play out.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftdreamcatcher #knittingstripes #iloveknitting #knitspo #knitspiration
...

286 10

thetwistedyarn

View

Jan 7

Open
Looooook! That photo I posted of Little Wittenham yesterday? My clever friend @annabelle_jm recreated it in her sketchbook. ❤️ Isn't her version just perfect? She's completely captured the mood of the place. Annabelle, you're a brilliant artist (and so is your sister). 
.
.
.
#littlewittenhamwood #littlewittenham #wittenhamclumps #earthtrust #oxfordshire #southoxfordshire @earth_trust

Looooook! That photo I posted of Little Wittenham yesterday? My clever friend @annabelle_jm recreated it in her sketchbook. ❤️ Isn't her version just perfect? She's completely captured the mood of the place. Annabelle, you're a brilliant artist (and so is your sister).
.
.
.
#littlewittenhamwood #littlewittenham #wittenhamclumps #earthtrust #oxfordshire #southoxfordshire @earth_trust
...

285 13

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 1

Open
Decent day for a run. Now on with some knitting (whilst trying to teach the kids / clean the house, etc).
.
.
.
.
#runnersofinstagram #iloverunning #nevernotrunning #oxfordshirerunning #rurallife

Decent day for a run. Now on with some knitting (whilst trying to teach the kids / clean the house, etc).
.
.
.
.
#runnersofinstagram #iloverunning #nevernotrunning #oxfordshirerunning #rurallife
...

164 17

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 3

Open
Ladies who lunch.

Ladies who lunch. ...

340 30

thetwistedyarn

View

Nov 30

Open
New blog post! Link in bio...

New blog post! Link in bio... ...

282 15

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 21

Open
Radiotherapy FINISHED!!!! 😊 Now on to more serious matters... such as knitting.
.
.
.
.
#radiotherapy

Radiotherapy FINISHED!!!! 😊 Now on to more serious matters... such as knitting.
.
.
.
.
#radiotherapy
...

716 144

thetwistedyarn

View

May 30

Open
Stranded knitting, green tea, birdsong, and Robyn on the ground beside the basket eating her third (fourth?) breakfast.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knittingoutdoors #lovemygarden #fairislefriday #iloveknitting #knittersofig #greentea #oxfordshire #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns #virkning #garn #strikke #lockdownknitting #lockdowncrafting #knitspo #knitspiration

Stranded knitting, green tea, birdsong, and Robyn on the ground beside the basket eating her third (fourth?) breakfast.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#strandedcolourwork #strandedcolorwork #strandedknitting #fairisle #fairisleknitting #knittingoutdoors #lovemygarden #fairislefriday #iloveknitting #knittersofig #greentea #oxfordshire #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns #virkning #garn #strikke #lockdownknitting #lockdowncrafting #knitspo #knitspiration
...

246 7

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 5

Open
When you're trying to work, but you have a weird sense of being watched.

When you're trying to work, but you have a weird sense of being watched. ...

406 39

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 14

Open
New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree. I hope it makes you laugh at least a little.
.
.
.
.
.
#knittersofravelry #knittersofinstagram #oxfordshire #covid #covid_19 #covid19 #covi̇d19 #growingveggies

New blog post at thetwistedyarn.com, or see 'latest post' on my Linktree. I hope it makes you laugh at least a little.
.
.
.
.
.
#knittersofravelry #knittersofinstagram #oxfordshire #covid #covid_19 #covid19 #covi̇d19 #growingveggies
...

217 11

thetwistedyarn

View

May 17

Open
Must. Knit. Faster.
.
.
.
.
.
#fairisleskirt #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #handknitting #handknit #handmade #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #yarnaddiction #knittingpatterns #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns

Must. Knit. Faster.
.
.
.
.
.
#fairisleskirt #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #garn #strikke #virkning #handknitting #handknit #handmade #fairisle #fairisleknitting #strandedcolorwork #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #knittersofravelry #knittingdesigner #nevernotknitting #yarnaddiction #knittingpatterns #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns
...

201 13

thetwistedyarn

View

Dec 16

Open
Right, that's the knitting done. Now to finish a bit of strategic Swiss darning before I show you the finished cowl with a rather surprising design element, and publish the pattern. I've loved working with Stylecraft Highland Heathers*.
.
.
*Which I didn't pay for. But I've genuinely loved it anyway.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftspecialdk #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarns #knittersofig #strikke #virkning #garn #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #cowl #knittedcowl @stylecraftyarns

Right, that's the knitting done. Now to finish a bit of strategic Swiss darning before I show you the finished cowl with a rather surprising design element, and publish the pattern. I've loved working with Stylecraft Highland Heathers*.
.
.
*Which I didn't pay for. But I've genuinely loved it anyway.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftspecialdk #stylecrafthighlandheathers #stylecraftyarns #knittersofig #strikke #virkning #garn #strandedcolourwork #strandedknitting #strandedcolorwork #fairisle #fairisleknitting #fairislefriday #knitdesigner #knittingdesigner #cowl #knittedcowl @stylecraftyarns
...

954 40

thetwistedyarn

View

May 28

Open
After work (for me and the Stoic Spouse) and a shameful amount of screen-time (the twinnage), I took both boys up to the Ridgeway (truly ancient trail that passes nearby here) so they could run around, or rather gallop along pretending to be horses. No yarn in this picture, because I was feeling so guilty about neglecting the boys all day that I FORGOT TO BRING MY KNITTING when we left the house!
.
.
.
#oxfordshire #ridgewaynationaltrail #ridgeway #southoxfordshire #workingathome

After work (for me and the Stoic Spouse) and a shameful amount of screen-time (the twinnage), I took both boys up to the Ridgeway (truly ancient trail that passes nearby here) so they could run around, or rather gallop along pretending to be horses. No yarn in this picture, because I was feeling so guilty about neglecting the boys all day that I FORGOT TO BRING MY KNITTING when we left the house!
.
.
.
#oxfordshire #ridgewaynationaltrail #ridgeway #southoxfordshire #workingathome
...

255 14

thetwistedyarn

View

May 20

Open
Morning, Robyn. ❤️
.
.
.
.
#robinsofinstagram #ukbirds #ukbirdlife #robin #robins #europeanrobin #europeanrobins #tamebirds #oxfordshire #feedthebirds #gardenbirds #gardenbirdsUK #ukgardenbirds #wildlifegardening #wildlifeinthegarden #wildlifeinthecity

Morning, Robyn. ❤️
.
.
.
.
#robinsofinstagram #ukbirds #ukbirdlife #robin #robins #europeanrobin #europeanrobins #tamebirds #oxfordshire #feedthebirds #gardenbirds #gardenbirdsUK #ukgardenbirds #wildlifegardening #wildlifeinthegarden #wildlifeinthecity
...

304 8

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 24

Open
New blog post! Much knitting! See thetwistedyarn.com, or click 'latest post' on my Linktree.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftdreamcatcher #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #knittingpattern #nevernotknitting #stylecraftyarns #jumper

New blog post! Much knitting! See thetwistedyarn.com, or click 'latest post' on my Linktree.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#stylecraft #stylecraftdreamcatcher #rowanfeltedtweed #rowanyarns #knittedskirt #knitdesigner #knitspo #knitspiration #knittingpattern #nevernotknitting #stylecraftyarns #jumper
...

212 3

thetwistedyarn

View

Jun 25

Open
A friend and I are making nettle yarn, and one of the stages is to 'bake' the nettle stems for a few hours. Given this quantity of nettles, I would have needed to keep the oven on for a week! So here's my solution. It's 32°C out there today, and if I leave the car in the sun, I reckon it'll get more than hot enough. Fingers crossed.
.
.
.
.
.
#nettleyarn #nettles #makingyarn #usesfornettles #stingingnettle #stingingnettles #yarn #yarnaddict #yarnaddiction

A friend and I are making nettle yarn, and one of the stages is to 'bake' the nettle stems for a few hours. Given this quantity of nettles, I would have needed to keep the oven on for a week! So here's my solution. It's 32°C out there today, and if I leave the car in the sun, I reckon it'll get more than hot enough. Fingers crossed.
.
.
.
.
.
#nettleyarn #nettles #makingyarn #usesfornettles #stingingnettle #stingingnettles #yarn #yarnaddict #yarnaddiction
...

296 45

thetwistedyarn

View

Apr 8

Open
Please allow me to introduce you to Wilfred. He (or she) is one of Robyn-the-robin's grandchildren. S/he's currently hiding behind various objects in the garden near his/her one - or possibly two - sibling(s) - also called Wilfred, because they're indistinguishable from each other. (Hmm, maybe I should have taken that approach to naming with my own identical twins...)
.
ANYWAY, I thought you'd like to meet little Wilfred. Robinson and his wife are very proud parents, and they seem to trust me near their precious children, which I'm taking as the greatest honour.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird #tamebirds8

Please allow me to introduce you to Wilfred. He (or she) is one of Robyn-the-robin's grandchildren. S/he's currently hiding behind various objects in the garden near his/her one - or possibly two - sibling(s) - also called Wilfred, because they're indistinguishable from each other. (Hmm, maybe I should have taken that approach to naming with my own identical twins...)
.
ANYWAY, I thought you'd like to meet little Wilfred. Robinson and his wife are very proud parents, and they seem to trust me near their precious children, which I'm taking as the greatest honour.
.
.
.
#robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #wildlifegarden #wildlifegardening #southoxfordshire #feedthebirds #handfeedingbird #tamebirds8
...

614 63

thetwistedyarn

View

Aug 22

Open
How many times!! You KNOW you shouldn't come into the house, dear Robyn. Come outside and I'll feed you some mealworms. ❤️
.
.
#tamebirds #wildlife #tamewildlife #robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #oxfordshire #wildlifegarden #feedthebirds

How many times!! You KNOW you shouldn't come into the house, dear Robyn. Come outside and I'll feed you some mealworms. ❤️
.
.
#tamebirds #wildlife #tamewildlife #robin #europeanrobin #gardenbirds #birds #europeanrobins #robins #oxfordshirecountryside #rurallife #lovemygarden #birdfood #birdfeeding #oxfordshire #wildlifegarden #feedthebirds
...

423 29
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Knitter Of The Year 2017

Knitter Of The Year 2017
Knit Now magazine, Knitter Of The Year 2017

As seen in:-

Read my occasional column in:-

Top 100 crochet blogs via Feedly

Top 100 knit-blogs via Feedly

Follow me via Wordpress

Follow the twisted yarn on WordPress.com

Recent Posts

  • Magic Eye
  • Crochetin’ The Covid
  • Dynasty
  • Knitting Covid
  • A New And Colourful Knit

RSS Follow my blog via RSS!

  • Magic Eye March 28, 2021

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in