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Piñones - April 28, 2025 - Blonde to grey in a fortnight
app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

Monday is here, and back with a palatable 3x3 :) hope you enjoy!

Instructions (best on desktop):

  1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

  2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

3
Piñones - April 25, 2025 - About to use my AOL free trial disc
app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

A day late, but here is the weekend piñone! Hope you enjoy, though it's a bit name heavy!

Instructions (best on desktop):

  1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

  2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

2
Piñones - April 23, 2025 - It's mine, all mine!
app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

Hello all! Here is Wednesday's piñone :)

Instructions (best on desktop):

  1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

  2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

2
Piñones - April 22, 2025 - Contest intermission
app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

Hello all, apologies for being a day late with the post! Hope you enjoy!

Instructions:

  1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

  2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

5
Piñones - April 18, 2025 - Mercury's appeal
  • That's the way it goes sometimes! I did also give the placement of 6 letters in the scramble instead of the usual 4 so that could have contributed to the difficulty balance between the sections!

    Also, you're completely correct about the social sharing from your previous comment - it's on the list to do! After the mobile experience is improved, I'll begin focusing on getting the puzzles out there more and a way to share scores is a big part of that!

  • Piñones - April 18, 2025 - Mercury's appeal
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Hello everyone! Another Friday puzzle, but I've tried to give six letter placements instead of the usual four, and would love to hear if that helps!!

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    3
    Piñones - April 16, 2025 - When the glass slipper fits
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here's Wednesday's puzzle!

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    3
    Piñones - April 14, 2025 - Might've made an honorable Scar
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Hello everyone! Back to a nice 3x3 today after a particularly nasty Friday. I hope this one accompanies a quick coffee/tea break for you all!

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    3
    Piñones - April 11, 2025 - Kitchen reno expert
  • Hey Spiral! Yes, the title is meant to be more of a confirmation for you when you solve the anagram, and provide loose avenues to explore, but is isn't intended to be as helpful as a typically crossword clue for sure. This is a tricky one to start with because I went a bit more obscure than usual to test some waters and see how it would be received, others do tend to be a bit kinder!

  • Piñones - April 11, 2025 - Kitchen reno expert
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    I'm.. expecting some groans on this one..

    Friday's puzzle is here!

    Instructions:

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    4
    Piñones - April 9, 2025 - Everyone take a gander
  • Still a good Wednesday time! I was pleased with today's title.

    I suspect this coming Friday's puzzle will make most people groan so if you tackle that one don't worry about missing anything obvious, but bring some tomatoes to throw at me..

  • Piñones - April 9, 2025 - Everyone take a gander
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is your Wednesday piñone! Hope you enjoy :)

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    2
    Piñones - April 7, 2025 - Three spikes and you're dug out
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Hello everyone!

    Here is Monday's piñone. Hope you enjoy :)

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    1
    Piñones - April 4, 2025 - How best to enjoy grandpa's stories
  • So I'm very open to feedback on this, but my general idea behind construction and word choice is that I permit 1 obscure word because you don't ultimately need to know it to solve the puzzle. In theory, you only need to know half of the clues. Issues arise when two obscure words intersect, but I do my best to avoid those.

    It's a bit of a trade-off between being able to make grids, and keeping all the words common and general knowledge. Being able to fit a specific grouping of letters into a grid is tricky, which is why I allow words to be backwards. While it's a nice quirk to differentiate the puzzle, it's actually very necessary for me to make grids in the first place!

    However, I'm always trying to expand my dictionaries, and fine tune them so that grid solutions are fair.

    In the future, I want to be able to allow people to opt in to dictionaries - so you can choose puzzles that only have general knowledge words, but, for example, if you know everything about Lord of the Rings, I can add in puzzles where I needed "Eowyn" or "Gimli" to end up creating a grid.

    I'm rambling now I fear, but back to your point, I currently feel okay adding in 1 obscure word because it doesn't ultimately block the puzzle solve, it lets me make more grids, and I think there is an element of fun learning new words - however, if the obscure word does end up ruining the experience of the puzzle overall, then perhaps a recalibration is needed on my end, at least in the interim until people can opt in to certain dictionaries! Would love your thoughts on this!

  • Piñones - April 4, 2025 - How best to enjoy grandpa's stories
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is your Friday piñone!

    Hope you enjoy!

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    6
    Piñones - April 2, 2025 - Can't take my eyes off the score
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is Wednesday's piñone :)

    Instructions (best on desktop!)

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    3
    Piñones - March 31, 2025 - Undesirable quality in a balloon
  • Did any of the anagrams you found go nicely with the title? It's rare but sometimes a puzzle does end up with more than one reasonable answer!

    And glad you liked it! I like to employ the cryptic clue convention of using ? if I'm giving a pun or indirect definition

  • Piñones - March 31, 2025 - Undesirable quality in a balloon

    Back at it with a new week of puzzles! Here is Monday's!

    https://app.pinones.io/puzzles/undesirable-quality-in-a-balloon

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    10
    Piñones - March 31, 2025 - Undesirable quality in a balloon
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Back at it with a new week of puzzles! Here is Monday's :)

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    0
    Piñones - March 28, 2025 - Explains all the invasions
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    I believe this is the first 18-letter puzzle I've posted, so best of luck to everyone and feel free to tackle this with a friend!!

    Instructions (best on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    5
    Piñones - March 26, 2025 - Irish wristwatch
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is today's piñone! I think we might get some solid times on this one!

    Best of luck!

    Instructions (best played on desktop):

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    4
    Piñones - March 24, 2025 - Gambles on tails
  • My thought process for the title is that you shouldn't be able to solve the puzzle directly from it, but that it makes sense in retrospect and is an attempt to create that "aha!" moment when you solve the anagram and can validate your thinking with the puzzle title. I know I don't always knock that out of the park, but in this case you're completely on the money.

    !A salamander dropping its tail is, in my mind, a gamble that the predator will be distracted/sated with the tail so that the salamander can get away instead of being eaten, and the title itself allows for a bit of obfuscation in the sense that people can bet on coin flips or "gamble on heads or tails".!<

  • Piñones - March 24, 2025 - Gambles on tails
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is today's puzzle! Best viewed on desktop, and I'm hoping we'll get some changes to the way we input words coming soon!

    Hope you enjoy and it's a touch easier than last week's Monday puzzle!

    Instructions:

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    8
    Piñones - March 21, 2025 - Grass in the vaccine depot?
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is your Friday piñone!

    Best viewed on desktop! If you use mobile, bottom clues might be cut off for "up and down":

    Clue 3 is "Treks"

    Clue 4 is "Color"

    Clue 5 is "Tin"

    Instructions:

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    1
    Piñones - March 17, 2025 - Source of legends
  • That's completely fair! Because there are so few clues, I tend to try and combine some easier clues with more obfuscated ones. With games like Wordle, I feel like when I solve it in 20-30 seconds it feels underwhelming, so I try to include a few clues that give pause for thought and a bit more of a sense of accomplishment when solved. I think this one was a touch heavy on the trickier clues though.

    The hardest thing about making these puzzles is being so restricted by the letters I can use for each puzzle. I used to include three-letter country codes in my grids, but eventually deemed them a bit unfair for the average solver. That said, I eventually want to be able to let people opt in to obscure knowledge that they know, so I can provide puzzles I've only been able to create that have those obscure acronyms and terms in them!

  • Piñones - March 19, 2025 - How to reach the moon by folding paper (optional cryptic clues)
    app.pinones.io Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    More than just clues and answers. Every solved Piñones crossword reveals letters for a final, hidden phrase. It's a crossword, an anagram, and a riddle, all in one.

    Piñones: Bite-Sized Crosswords with a Twist

    Here is today's puzzle! If you'd prefer, or want to try out, cryptic clues, then you can do the puzzle here: https://app.pinones.io/puzzles/how-to-reach-the-moon-by-folding-paper-cryptic

    Hope you enjoy!

    Instructions:

    Best viewed on desktop!

    1. Solve the grid using the clues provided. The direction of the word is indicated by the number around the grid (so some words are backwards).

    2. After you complete the grid, click the pencil icon tab at the bottom to switch over to solve the anagram. The title is a hint to the anagram!

    12
    Piñones Solution - March 17, 2025 - Source of legends

    The grid was:

    >!ESC!<

    >!ADO!<

    >!TEN!<

    And the final answer was

    >!ANECDOTES!<

    Any and all feedback is welcome to would love your ideas on what might have helped with any solving!

    0
    InitialsDiceBearhttps://github.com/dicebear/dicebearhttps://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/„Initials” (https://github.com/dicebear/dicebear) by „DiceBear”, licensed under „CC0 1.0” (https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)OL
    OliveSheep @lemmy.world
    Posts 27
    Comments 49