A few weeks ago, I decided to try some speed-setting. Before I knew it, I'd made an entire 12x12 barred grid in a single evening!
It's not brilliant, but I'm sharing it with you all regardless. 1d and 4d are two-word entries.
ouroboroscryptics.github.io/12x12PlainNo...
Bearing in mind, without hydrogen it's emptiness (7)
Bullseye's Head of Finance provided Tony's clothes (5)
Size of one who yelled "Seven!" reaching that girth at last? (6)
Some sample clues from my latest 15x15, with a theme perhaps better suited to last summer.
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3054
Just got back from band practice - this feels relevant:
Ouroboros is in spot of tendon pain after playing drums (7)
Just spent nearly an hour helping this handsome fellow out of some stuck shed. He showed his gratitude by peeing on me.
I can't be angry at that adorable, squishy face though 😍
It's a barred grid, MyC can't publish barred ones. I'm determined to get this one over the line somewhere, so I'll wait for an email back before weighing options
13.01.2026 14:19 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0I only have myself to blame - a Google search with some keywords would've shown me the fifteensquared blog.
13.01.2026 13:29 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Only I could spend over a year working on a grid, rewrite the clues, remake the entire grid from scratch, rewrite the clues again, send to the editor... and then find out that the theme was already done before! How deflating.
Still, there'll always be more grids to make. Onwards and upwards!
Please stand near bust showing household gods (5,3,7)
Halos - they improve eternally? (8,7)
Seventh son discovered ruby cordial (8)
Some sample clues from my latest 15x15, with as many 15-letter entries as I could pack into one grid. My sincerest apologies.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3026
A classic! I'll have to rewatch that soon.
11.01.2026 11:53 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Periods where the heat is on Ramanujan and Brahmagupta? (6,7)
Marksman pierced seven yolks (7)
Half a dozen fighting German supermarket fiddler (7)
Some sample clues from my latest 15x15, now playable at MyCrossword. All feedback welcome!
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3022
Then I shall dream of having one published before I'm 31! 🤣 I have plenty to occupy myself in the meantime, such as setting my following submission with a far more low-brow theme.
31.12.2025 19:33 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0There's no rush at all, my only self-imposed deadline is that I dream of having it published before I turn 30 (July next year) Then again, I have no idea what the publishing schedule is like, for all I know I've already missed my chance for that!
31.12.2025 18:18 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Do setters confer on who gets the honour? I'm picturing a midnight free-for-all... though I was surprised to only see one other grid published on the 25th 🤣
31.12.2025 18:14 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Speaking of connecting with other setters, is there anyone out there willing to test a themed barred grid that I'm intending to submit to the paper? Two setters have already sunk their teeth into it, but I feel the need for further scrutiny.
31.12.2025 18:10 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
2025 has certainly been one of the years of all time. I started as an amateur cryptic setter, I finished as an amateur cryptic setter with one grid in the paper! (Indy No 12,103 for those interested)
I'm excited to see what 2026 can bring and to keep connecting with other setters. Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and one and all! Have a 13x13 on me. 🎄
www.mycrossword.co.uk/quick/326
I've been a little quiet lately - between a couple of larger submissions, I've been diligently setting monthly grids for Plymscene.
This grid was planned to be a publication submission but was instead supplanted by a themed grid, leaving this one for MyCrossword.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2944
A reversal of alternate letters sounds like pretty standard fare outside of beginner grids! Was this person perhaps a beginner who got a bit salty at not getting the solve? I certainly did the same when I first started, it's easier to blame the clue than oneself.
28.10.2025 17:45 — 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Penile disorder agitating ol' brainiacs - is it treatable? No, take X-ray (9,8,10)
28.10.2025 16:39 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
12a. Maiden spilling lotion under Selene's glare? (7)
28a. Ash opens beer - heads out drunk - and catches Pikachu? (9)
My latest grid is now playable at MyCrossword. As always, feedback and comments are greatly appreciated!
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2798
Finished yours now! As before, some fantastic clues throughout. Great job 😊
05.10.2025 16:47 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0I had hoped that putting that one in there may stir up some intrigue! I had to resist the urge to put 25d as the other sample clue 🤣
05.10.2025 16:02 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0While I'm not quite finished yet, this has been a very enjoyable puzzle with some great definitions and wonderful penny-drop moments. Favourites so far are 1d, 5d (great def!), 12a and 21a. 😊
05.10.2025 16:00 — 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
8d Some MPs to knock 50% off wine (6)
14a 10-4? (5)
My latest grid is now playable at MyCrossword. All feedback gratefully received. Many thanks to @bendrobinson.bsky.social for creating the grid and to @guineverecryptic.bsky.social for her ever-diligent testing!
mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2750
Brilliant! I'll try and find a quiet moment to join the stream 😊
21.09.2025 09:58 — 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
My latest grid is now playable at MyCrossword - feedback is appreciated as always!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2718
You're too kind! I'm excited to follow this up soon, expect another draft in your inbox some day soon! 😀
24.07.2025 09:42 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
My first grid for a national paper - Independent Cryptic No 12,103 is now playable!
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...
#independent #cryptic #crossword #crypticcrossword #ouroboros
23d. Rolls with filleted fish (6)
My latest grid is now playable on MyCrossword, and will soon be added to my website.
All feedback appreciated!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2551
I actually achieved the "two centuries" in a different way to what Pandiculator intended! I indicated the 19th and 20th centuries just above and below the centre, rather than 1800S and 1900S at the edges. I'm still counting it as a win.
27.04.2025 21:32 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0