**Artificial Zinc Buttons – Ep. 70** In which we pronounce upon Artificial Zinc Buttons, go mining in Missouri, ponder Eddie’s attractiveness, and seek new speakers. === If you don’t find yourself quaking at all that, then please click play: […] […] [Original post on offgrid.tlmb.net]

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I'm in the Independent again! (Bluejacket #7, 12285, Sat 21st Feb 26) 1a: Henry discovered fortune-telling method, making money (9) 3d: Be cool kid, endlessly undisciplined (7) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I’m pleased to report that Loon, my friendly, feathered alter ego, makes another appearance in the Times Quick Cryptic slot today #cryptic #crossword

I set today’s Guardian cryptic crossword. I’m hoping you’ll feel my pain in this one: Walter White finishes Breaking Bad making money (5) Old lady wasting money in Virgin store (7) Comply with Klingon on the radio (5,2) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...

I'm thinking of doing a #CrypticSunday spinoff video thing. Are you (or someone you know) new to cryptics or have you been doing them for a little while but still not feeling like you're properly confident? Fancy doing a joint solve with me on a Zoom call - pre-recorded not streamed?

I set today’s ‘back pager’ in the Daily Telegraph. Grateful to @mycrossword.co.uk for the super user-friendly website!

The rain is back but so are the crosswords! Join us at 12 to help solve cryptics from the MyCrossword community by duncanjwitham and Chlorine @katstevens.bsky.social. Beginners and hecklers welcome, as ever! #CrypticSunday twitch.tv/crypticsunday

Just impressed my wife with an upcoming crossword clue. She still thinks I'm mad, but maybe in a 10% more "witchcraft" way as opposed to "certifiable".

I set today’s #cryptic #crossword in The Independent. Solve free online here: https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20260214

An extra place has just become available on my 14 / 21 March online masterclass for aspiring setters and keen solvers. Grab it now and release your inner word-fiend! boatmancryptics.co.uk/crossword-ma...

Weatherman is back in the Toughie today! Sample clue: Broadcaster reluctant to cover opening of Rocky III in Berlin (4,5) Solve it in the paper, in the app, or here: www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/puzz...

Filbert is great fun as usual in today's Indy - the highlight, of course, being: Poor saint behind tree shat trousers (4-8)

I set today's Sunday Telegraph prize Toughie www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles Leaflet saying “Spades and Cutting Tools” (8,4) Dig near fragments in settlement on the Thames (7)

Solving cryptic crosswords is not (yet) a sport in the Winter Olympics, but it's considerably safer and warmer. Join us on Twitch at 12 to help tackle new ones by Ghoti @fimjishwick.bsky.social and Serbosh! #CrypticSunday twitch.tv/crypticsunday

Hope you enjoy! ”Maybe we’re just fish out of water” - some sample clues: •People leaving hospital pretty soon (2,1,3) •Almost time for retirement song (4,2,5-4) •Yale’s first esoteric sect developed into Skull and Bones? (6,7) #crypticcrossword #hiddenstoryteller

Rather a shame @crackingthecryptic.bsky.social have posted once here then seemingly given up. But anyway, they've started solving Minute Cryptic on the channel, which is interesting!

What a remarkable coincidence. I set today's Independent puzzle puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

I really enjoyed today's Independent crossword set by Quince, particularly: 🎭 Quince's second part's in Hamlet – he’s playing patriarch (10) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Puzzles like this don't come along every day!

Number 11 from me - please give it a whirl... Knock sculpture over and say nothing! (5) Thanks to @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social and @mycrossword.co.uk #cryptic #crossword mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3086

Inspired by @cranberryfez.bsky.social's recommending of Fossil's debut, the #CrypticSunday Replacement Stream Service will feature puzzles by folks who are new to me, including @bendrobinson.bsky.social & @fimjishwick.bsky.social (maybe Kempley too?). See you at noon! www.twitch.tv/pantherapuzz...

Delighted, as Rowland, to be joining the team at @economist.com with a gentle Saturday cryptic. Samples: North America should follow Article 10, one feels (7) Country intended to have rupees instead of India? (6) What leads debate about Irish legislation? (4) www.economist.com/interactive/...

An old friend visits in the new #offgridpod, a sneaky tactic is tutted at, and we don't struggle to see the light. https://offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/01/25/alan-gardeners-sandpaper-ep-68/

Fat starts to appear newly ubiquitous between gym and work (6,3) I set today's Independent #cryptic #crossword. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Issue 2 is selling fast! Secure a copy at unchcrosswords.com

I was the General’s chief researcher in this fun episode of #OffGridPod - I hope I did him proud! offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/01/25/a...

www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c... Clues include Maybe Magnum’s close to his nose (7) Rival Pope made strange claims about religious books (8) Produce - and handle - Elton John for instance (5,4) Frosty Spike Milligan scene with actor, Oliver Reed taking only seconds (6) No spoilers ta!

#OffGridPod #trivia offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/01/25/a... In which we try to bowl you over (or perhaps under) by shining a (night)light on more Catholic saints. And I'll put my cards on the table and admit we got in a right state with the quiz...

Beyond chuffed to be back in the Indy as Magus. My tin hat’s on – is yours?! Warning: hipsters lifted by US federal agents … (6) … one after another for speaking out can be put in prison (6) Trump wants one head of BBC arrested by Christmas (5) #cryptic #crossword

I was the General’s chief researcher in this fun episode of #OffGridPod - I hope I did him proud! offgrid.tlmb.net/2026/01/25/a...

Irish city’s workers take indirect route? (9) Reasonable to run away (5) This and more nonsense in my puzzle in the Independent today. #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Umpire in the Indy today! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set today’s Prize crossword in the Guardian . It may require some lateral thinking: Sea creature caught by Scotsman (4) Pierce Brosnan’s heartbeat (5) Saint-Saëns a bit lively (9) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...

I know many people miss Picaroon (aka Rodriguez and Buccaneer) since he pledged his troth to the Telegraph - his alter ego Robyn has a lovely puzzle in today's Toughie

If you liked Unch issue 1, you’ll LOVE Unch Issue 2 😍

(to my pleasant surprise) I set today's cryptic in the Indy. Including: Start of transmission where ad's naughty? (9) Chicken or fish sandwiches campaign (6) Good job to deliver step of cheese making process? (3,2,2) Solve for free here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set my debut back page cryptic in today’s Daily Telegraph! www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/

New PM puzzle up on my crossword.co.uk including: Inspiring ecstasy, a love goddess approaches (7) Committed university dons half-fit after exercise (8) Plan to circulate local rent brochure (8) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3041

I'm in the Independent again! (Bluejacket #6, 12253, Thu 15th Jan 26) 1a: Toxic chemical made by strange doc yearning to inhabit evil alter ego (8,7) 6d: He said sesame and lettuce in buns are "burger amateur's toppings" (3,4) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I wrote this short survey trying to understand the different types of definition which get used in crosswords. Probably all fairly obvious, but there's a bit more to it than just synonyms charliemethven.com/definitions

Well, Guinevere of March 2025, I did it! 😂 Thanks for the reminder @amoebacrosswords.bsky.social - Kybos is the setter of the Times Quick Cryptic today, hope those of you who solve do enjoy! 👋 And if not, the puzzle may just agree with you… #cryptic #crossword

A new setter on MyCrossword? Not exactly. Hat tips to my co-conspirators @henriwords.com @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social @cranberryfez.bsky.social & Gennaro, and huge thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk #cryptic #crossword www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3028

Today is the first day of our proper honeymoon, and I am choosing not to read anything into 4a in the Times... 😳

If you've packed the Christmas decorations away in the loft, done all the crosswords in the print media and you find yourself at a loose end, there *is* a Stamp in the Independent today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting... Hope it's useful / interesting!

Very happy to be back in the Independent with a crossword today. I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking! Devious new clue following edit (9) Harry owes cash for present (8) Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set today’s Sunday Telegraph prize Toughie www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/ "Tangled up in Blue" ultimately discarded by music magazine (8) Character from "Lewis" close to suspect on slope (6)

With regard to getting answers, new year, new you? (11) Setter becoming single – time to lose weight? (4) Bury playwright, Harold, without his head? (5) Dice Quiptic today 🎲🥰 Keen for these to be accessible as a next step from the Quick Cryptic, so feedback very welcome! #cryptic #crossword

I set today’s Guardian Prize crossword. You can take it slowly: Two girls in brief medley (7) Finish from Lionel Messi resolved matters? (6) Grand National winner allowed to carry small load (9) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...

(daft punk One More Time voice) Auld Lang Syne