WHAT'S A HAIKU? (Anagrammed Lines) Basically, the paced heptadecasyllabic blade; a patchy slice.

Decently plausible crossword clues in Perec's A Man Asleep

It's crazy that she was born Charli HSN

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

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 4 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...

Apollo forgot to mention I have a #cryptic #crossword in Unch #2. In case you needed an invitation. #shelfie

I think there are four basic grids that crosswords tend to be based on. I don't know if they have names, but this is what I call them:

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

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!

Sad to think he never knew he was born on Groundhog Day

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!

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 3 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...

One of the jolliest finals I’ve ever seen, lovely series #onlyconnect

"Really annoying and stupid" is the in-house review of the missing vowels set I wrote #OnlyConnect

A lovely birthday present for Wayne Gretsky there #OnlyConnect

A new Mini crossword from me in loose tribute to tonight's Only Connect final 🌾🦁🪢🐍🌊👁️ Featuring: Crck fnl bts frm nthr nly Cnnct pzzl (3) Mghn ntlly pst hr hsbnd, wthhldng Chrstms gft (5) Fmnn ttl mprss ccsnlly sd (3) mycrossword.co.uk/mini/211

A new Mini crossword from me in loose tribute to tonight's Only Connect final 🌾🦁🪢🐍🌊👁️ Featuring: Crck fnl bts frm nthr nly Cnnct pzzl (3) Mghn ntlly pst hr hsbnd, wthhldng Chrstms gft (5) Fmnn ttl mprss ccsnlly sd (3) mycrossword.co.uk/mini/211

In the latest Unch crossword magazine, I say what my favourite cryptic clue of recent times is - it's in a crossword with a *very* cool gimmick from the Guardian in August 2025 It'll certainly make you look twice... Here's me solving the crossword online: youtu.be/Mvm6OsQeZYs @unchcrosswords.com

Unch is served. (Although I have some leftovers from last issue still to finish)

Divorced Jilted Divorced Divorced Divorced Survived(?) - mnemonic for remembering the wives of Frasier and Niles Crane

£5 per issue. Drop me an extra fiver and I'll fill all the grids in for you before I post it. Save you a bit of time.

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

Evening plug for this unorthodoxly gridded puzzle whose clues include: 🛶 Specifications with which Chameleon could make himself canoe (3) 👿 Certain solvers in hell (3) 🤝 President's totally pointless attempt to land deal (3)

PSA (Puzzle spreading advice)

Evening plug for this unorthodoxly gridded puzzle whose clues include: 🛶 Specifications with which Chameleon could make himself canoe (3) 👿 Certain solvers in hell (3) 🤝 President's totally pointless attempt to land deal (3)

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Part 2 of my blog looking at how & why cryptics work is now up at @mycrossword.co.uk: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting... 🦆 🐰 🦆 🐰 🦆 🐰 🦆 🐰 🦆 🐰

Something fun for a Friday – a Mini crossword which can be solved in two different ways mycrossword.co.uk/mini/203

Happy Friday to all! What better way to celebrate than with the much awaited (ed: check this) sequel to my first 15x15?! Aggrieved TV loser takes to the streets (7) Boyfriend wants latin celebrity (4) Habitat receives a government honour (6) www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3036

Something fun for a Friday – a Mini crossword which can be solved in two different ways mycrossword.co.uk/mini/203

I haven't finished them all yet

Some of the tools I often use when trying to solve crosswords: www.wyrd.systems/pages/crossw...

Is Harriet trying to get "great Traitor hunter/confirmed Faithful" status and auditioning for recruitment at the same time? How else does she make it to next week now? #TheTraitors

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

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

Having a P-P-P-Proustian rush from p-p-p-picking up a Penguin for the first time in years

Chance to talk to the traitors is it? #TheTraitors

Would any regular Independent solvers up be able to test-solve a couple of puzzles over the next few days?

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!

Great to run into a fellow Only Connect writer over Christmas

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

Someone (secretly) essentially describing their own skill-set in order to banish somebody else is absolutely delicious television #TheTraitors

New year, old me

The last new Only Connect special of the year is on tonight! Even more important than the Third Place Playoff, it’s the THIRD PLACE PLAYOFF PLAYOFF! If you like threesomes, tune into BBC Two at 8pm.

Ropy plotters messed up Stranger Things? (4,8)

With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started. www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...

Any other takers?

Boatman and one of his colleagues in broadsheet? (9) (apologies if you've done this one, @boatmancryptics.co.uk)

Anyone fancy testing a probably harder than normal Mini cryptic?