the twisted yarn

Knitting, crochet, running, and silliness.

Contact/Media

Always happy to talk knitting and crochet at thetwistedyarn@outlook.com .

Phil (the blog’s author) has appeared in the BBC TV programme ‘Make’ in 2018, and has appeared in a promotional video for KnitIQ. The Twisted Yarn was a runner-up in the 2017 British Craft Awards, won Knit Now magazine’s 2017 Knitter Of The Year, and won the 2014 Deramores Award.  The site has appeared on Apartmenttherapy.com, in Let’s Knit magazine and on the Tesco website. Phil also writes an occasional column for Simply Knitting magazine, and has been featured in full-page interviews for Simply Knitting, and Knit Now. She has also been appointed as one of the Stylecraft Blogstars. As a knitting and crochet designer, she has been commissioned by Stylecraft. In addition to being a clinical psychologist and mum to small twins, Phil has a masters degree in creative writing, and is always interested in finding new opportunities to write humorously about knitting, crochet, and life in general.

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Simply Knitting magazine TheTwistedYarn.com

sk dec 15 a

 

Comments

  2. Hi Phil,
    I follow your blog, and I loooooove it!!! You are fabulous and I wish I had your talent, matter of fact, I wish you lived next door and I could run over and say omg I’m stupid…can’t figure this pattern out HELP!! Are you self taught or what….you amaze me!!! Soooo, question here….. I am making that amazing blog winning scarf you designed….LOVE IT!!! out of the Bergere de France Lima Yarn (yes all 13 colours) and it’s knitting up gorgeous but some of my lovely friends live in warmer climates (I hate them lol but it’s cooler in the winter) but was thinking…could I make this in cotton and would it stand up… or would it be too stretchy…What kind of lighter yarn would you suggest that would be washable but would hold up…they are cheap old women that wash the sh** out of things…lol lol (too funny eh).
    Anyhoos thanks for taking the time to read this and your advice….I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada….home of the Calgary Stampede..if your ever passing this way…you have a place you can put your cowboy boots for a rest…your most welcome to stay!!!
    Darlene Davis

    Reply

    • Wow, thank you for such a kind-hearted comment! You are very kind. (Actually it’d probably be me knocking on your door asking for knitterly assistance!) I do think it would work in cotton for warmer climes, but definitely stick to the shorter version because the longer version is looooooong and so if it stretched and sagged, it would all get a bit silly.
      Oh, and I love Canada so much! I once spent three months there, working in Toronto then heading west. A couple of people offered us (us = me plus my boyfriend at the time) their spare room but we felt far too shy to impose on them, but with hindsight I understand that the people we met were genuinely just that lovely and hospitable. Thank you for your offer!

      Reply

  3. lol lol lol ahhhhh no you wouldn’t be asking me for any help, I can guarantee that (your so cute!!). Anyhoos, thank you for replying! I was thinking also, that I would have to make the shorter version also, because it would definitely be “too warm” all that wool around your neck”. I did want your “expert” opinion before buying the yarn and starting the project and finding out it wasn’t going to work “like your skirt”…oh my!! (I felt so bad for you 🙁 when you had to start all over). Now on another subject I was born in Toronto, and unfortunately is the snobby part of Canada lol lol . Out west is where all the friendly folk are. We welcome everyone with open arms and that does not surprise me that people had offered you their spare room to stay in. Well thanks again for your wisdom, greatly appreciated. I look forward to many more of your blogs, I look so forward to them, I love how you write/speak (it’s so different than how Canadians talk) and twinnage…make me laugh, ahhhh so enjoyable. Thanks for making me 🙂

    Reply

  8. No doubt, you getting tired of “Love your chair”, just saying if you want stoic husband to sit in the chair, you must demonstrate the motion and photo it for us, clearly the twinage has no problem. Absolutely exquisite innovative skill and imagination…WELL DONE, would like to hear a few words on the things the twinnage are interested in, are they crafty like you.

    An admiring, fascinated follower Canadian, so glad you post. I have recommended that folks on the Knitting Paradise, a worldwide knitting forum, an amazing, supportive network of crafters, and again, congratulation on your (all) awards! Well deserved!

    Reply

    • Hi Wendy, and thank you for such a rich and generous comment. 🙂
      The twinnage’s creativity is mostly in words, at this point. (They’re six.) They love to make up stories. This is something that I’m definitely encouraging.
      I do keep meaning to do a sitting-in-the-chair photo, and I will, but as I write this, I’m sitting in the chair, in low light, wearing old and shabby clothing and with mad hair. Now is most definitely not the moment.

      Also, I’m honoured that you mentioned me on Knitting Paradise. Thank you.

      (PS: I adore Canada, having long ago spent 3 months staying/working/travelling there.)

      Reply

  9. Hello Again: Thanks much for your speedy response, would really like to address you properly, at least by your first name. No intrusion intended.

    I look forward to seeing you in your magnificent chair, that will be passed on I’m sure for generations, but Oh Dear how can the twinnage share this treasure? Perhaps on a six month basis?

    If you’ve had time to check out Knitting Paradise (OMG it’s very addictive)
    I posted a “you’ve got to check this out”…you blog in general and your lovely chair specifically, it was so well received…you know all those drooling admirers, think your numbers will skyrocket, not enough can be said about how much we think of your blog. Well done. And thanks for being such a role model! Looking forward to all your future posts, it’s certainly and learning and inspirational site that I consult often. Wendy

    Reply

    • Thank you so much (again) Wendy – you’re very, very, kind! (And you’re kinder than I deserve, but I won’t complain TOO loudly about that.)

      Reply

  11. Dear Phil, I came across a pile of magazines and found one of your articles on “can you tell that I’d be a shoe-in for this job?”. I felt that I would write the same article. Loved it.
    The comment about would you want to have your wisdom teeth extracted by someone whose pride and joy stockinette scarf was actually a mess of dropped stitches and unintended yarnovers” had me in stitches:)
    My daughter who is at present studying to become a dentist took a hand crocheted phone case to prove that she had dexterity got a place for the course.
    Hurrah for chrochet and knitting
    Jayshree
    Jayshr33@gmail.com

    Reply

    • Jayshree, thank you for such a kind and generous comment, that made me smile lots. And I LOVE that your daughter used her crochet skill as proof of her manual dexterity. (Wish I’d known that before I wrote the article!) I’m guessing that she’ll make an excellent dentist. 🙂

      Reply

  12. Hi, I was wondering if you had a tutorial on crocheting stained glass afghan patterns? I bought a pattern by Melody McDuffee, and I’m having trouble getting started. TIA

    Reply

    • Hi Theresa,
      I don’t, I’m afraid. The stained glass window afghan was from somebody else’s pattern (at Annie’s Attic). However it was the first crochet pattern I attempted (after I’d got the hang of the main stitches by crocheting back and forth and attempting granny squares), and it really was manageable. Go for it! And thank you for your interest in this site.

      Reply

  13. Much as I would like to say something witty and clever here – all I can think of after reading your latest is a sigh and… I love you.

    and greetings from Portland, Oregon.

    Reply

  14. I just discovered your blog and patterns and am in love with them. I want to try to do the cowl “All That Jazz” but since I can’t find the stylecraft yarn here in the USA can you tell me about how many grams of each color is required. I will have to ship international and that can be costly and I need to watch the cost carefully. Thanking you in advance.

    Reply

  15. Hi Phil do you have a pattern for either of the skirts on your blog. Have fallen in love !
    Many thanks in advance and best wishes, Marie. X

    Reply

    • Hi Marie,
      I don’t, and I’m sorry about that. BUT I am about to begin designing a skirt or two with the intention of publishing the patterns, so if you’re a patient sort, there will be something available fairly soon… (Thank you for your interest, meanwhile.)

      Reply

  16. Hi Phil

    Thank you for making your cowl pattern free. I have decided to challenge myself by knitting more complex Faire Isle project. I will be ordering the Stylecraft Batik range yarn, I just need to order one ball of yarn for each color right? Thank you Phil.

    Margy

    Reply

    • Hi Margy. Thanks for your comment. Do you mean the ‘All That Jazz’ cowl? Yes, you just need one ball of each colour. I hope you have fun making it. 🙂

      Reply

      • Thank you so much for getting back to me. I will be making your all that jazz cowl. I was waiting for your reply regarding the how many balls of yarn I needed for each cool before ordering. To bad they are out of the color storm. But I will wait for that color to come.

        Reply

  17. Hi Phil just wanted to say thanks for the ‘all that jazz ‘ cowl pattern. Absolutely love it .Best wishes Marie. X

    Reply

  19. I have just been introduced to your site. LOVE it. Do you have a pattern or any advice for making your “stuffed”deers head? I want to make a horses head! Rachel Celia

    Reply

  20. You gave me the colour numbers of the wool you used to make your banner. I can’t find the 2826. Any suggestions of something close to that colour? I’ve spent the whole day looking with no luck. I’m also having difficulty finding my questions and your answers. I get 2014, 2016 and 2019 only to march. What am I doing wrong? Thanks L

    Reply

    • Hi, As for the problems finding your questions and my answers, I wonder whether it’s because they’re in two different places? Some here, and some under my tutorial on how to steek. Could that be the reason?

      Reply

  21. PS I forgot to ask this. I was wondering about aran 7847 or is it too bright. I really want to get close to your banner. It’s for my granddaughter and she has beautiful red hair and would look wonderful with those colours. It doesn’t have to be the. Same brand either if you have something in mind. Thanks so much for your help. L

    Reply

    • Hi again, Right I’ve had a good look at the current shades available. 7847 is definitely the one I would choose if I were doing it again. Yes it’s fairly bright, but I don’t think it would look too much against the background. I think it would look lovely. I hope this is helpful!

      Reply

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