Cryptic crosswords

I'm trying to get into them. Read some how to guides. I still don't get a lot of them even after seeing the answer.

Anyone else into these? I thought clues could be discussed here.

http://www.fifteensquared.net/ is a good resource. It gives fairly detailed explanations of the solutions for many of the main cryptic puzzles (e.g. Guardian, Indy, etc.) and they manage to get them up impressively quickly each day too.

I found Sandy Balfour's books Pretty Girl in Crimson Rose (8) and I Say Nothing (3) useful - they're memoirs about his life in relation to crosswords, but they also explain a lot of the basic patterns that would help you to get going.

I think the easiest cryptic at the moment is the Observer's Everyman, and it's set by lots of people so it teaches you patterns that are useful for other setters' puzzles too.

That’s really helpful cheers!

2nd vote for Everyman crossword, it's the only one I can do!

Anyone else doing these 3D crosswords? Today I realised the deadline for this fancy one I was saving is less than a week away & I am feeling the pressure

I'm trying to get into these again.

Can anyone explain these please?

Material originally sewn into each frill, one of two pads:

Earmuffs

Also

Predator catching egg layer:

Coat

Predator → cat
“Egg” → O
Catching—put the egg in the predator: cOat
Meaning: layer [of clothing]

Material originally: M
Sewn into (insert)
each → ea
frill → ruff

Meaning: [thing with] two pads

@aglet nice

Dramatic Irishman secreting fishy weapon:
Shakespearean

Dramatic is the clue

Fishy weapon is hake spear

Irishman is Shean?

Sean, but yep

@aglet
Last one

Central circles with rings around- might these be flowers?

Perrrenials

perennials:

Rings around → pe/als
Central = Inner circles (backwards) → renni

Damm. Even when I see the answer it's really difficult.
Thanks for explaining.

De nada, stick with it. The Observer’s Everyman is set at a pretty consistent moderate difficulty. Secrets of the Setters might be worth a skim, but doing them is really the only way to get better. And get Chambers if you haven’t already.

Can’t believe I hadn’t found this thread yet!
Wife and I got very into crosswords this year,
Currently working on the times jumbo....

https://youtu.be/cVWdbO6FFfw

Anyone made a start on today’s Maskarade?

I'm slowly making progress with the Private Eye cryptic. Anyone else on that?

A couple from last week's I didn't understand.

19D: Cyclops temperature doubled when held by Sibyl? Answer was Setter. I get Cyclops is E and Temperature is T doubled. Dont get the answer tho is there a famous person called Sibyl that had a setter dog?

28A: Determine the size of Bill? Answer was Measure which I got but I don't understand the clue.

13A: Broadcaster with a pale see through top. Answer Skylight. Broad= sky caster= light. what's the pale bit is that relevant?

23A: crummy, crap energy handout ultimately results in reprimand.
Answer carpet. ???

Thanks

for 23A:
Crummy - anagram of Crap, E (from energy) and t (Handout ultimately = last letter of handout = t) - results in reprimand = to "carpet" someone is to tell them off

Time to get your orders in for next year’s 3D Crossword Calendar.

19A: is Sybil a Private Eye crossword setter?
28A: measure/Bill as Act of Parliament

For 19D: Cyclops is the name of the PE crossword setter (thanks for tip @aglet). Sybil was a prophetess in greek mythology i.e. a "seer" that holds Temperature doubled i.e. tt in the middle = "Setter"

Damn, no way I was getting that one. Thanks

Thanks @elpresidente @aglet

I will persevere. Really enjoying these.

13A: Broadcaster with a pale see through top. Answer Skylight. Broad= sky caster= light. what's the pale bit is that relevant?

Broadcaster = Sky
Pale = light in colour
see through top = a transparent roof i.e. a "skylight"