The weird world of Crossword Puzzle Jigsaw Puzzles

Make your own crossword puzzle jigsaw puzzle for Mother’s Day with puzzleYOU! Use my code KarenMay23 for 23% off at www.puzzleyou.com
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Download the Mother’s Day crossword puzzle image:
drive.google.com/file/d/1YdxS...
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Download the 1930s Cross-Jig crossword puzzle:
drive.google.com/file/d/162c5...
Download the Cryptic Crossword:
drive.google.com/file/d/1LyTa...
Download the Cryptic Crossword answer key:
drive.google.com/file/d/12wVh...
Learn how to solve a cryptic crossword here:
Big Dave’s Little Guide to Cryptic Crosswords
crypticcrosswords.net/crosswor...
Check out the video where I solved a sudoku jigsaw puzzle:
Is this genuinely the most difficult puzzle in the world?
• Is this genuinely the ...
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Music from Soundstripe:
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#karenpuzzles #jigsawpuzzles #puzzle 🧩🧩🧩🧩🧩

[@KarenPuzzles]

Who else is a crossword puzzler as well as a jigsaw puzzler? Would you try one that combines the two? And if you had one that was NOT RARE AND NOT VINTAGE, would you write all over it? 👀

[@leahbell7661]

I can’t solve crosswords to save my life. I’d hate this. But I like the idea of writing the answers in. That’s cool.

[@jackiehoward7300]

I like both jigsaw and crossword puzzles. Speaking of crossword puzzle in tubes, I enjoyed buying coloring posters in tubes. They came with markers but the markers were awful.

[@CallistoSangre]

I quite like crosswords, but I get frustrated with them quickly 😅 Oftentimes I can't figure out what the word is, so I leave it and come back later with a fresh mind. As to a crossword puzzle, I would probably transfer the crossword onto a sheet of paper - I don't like to damage things, even if it's on purpose like "Wreck this journal"

[@infiniteneedle9845]

I prefer Sudoku to crossword puzzles. Also, I am that monster who would write all over the puzzle. 😇😂

[@BaronBytes]

I was secretly hoping for a collab with cracking the cryptic on the cryptic crossword

[@ne2ko714]

I think that keeping the puzzle in the box defeats the purpose of it, like yes, if it is ancient, a part of important history, and opening the box would destroy it, or compromise it. But most puzzles are made to be enjoyed, to be solved, and in addition karen takes care of her puzzles, even if it is opened, the probability of it beeing damaged or the pieces beeing lost is verry low. And this way we get to also enjoy it, she provides the crossword scanned, wich you probably couldnt find easily before.

[@KarenPuzzles]

That's why I'll keep opening them.

[@firstname5437]

Exactly. If anyone should be opening them, it's Karen. Civilization won't be dependent on an unopened puzzle hundreds of years from now.

[@getjiggywithsam3572]

So true! Better to enjoy them than for them to sit in a basement somewhere

[@ElizabethNicoleSchwartz]

Definitely! And also, who are people to criticize? They're her puzzles and she can do with them as she pleases.

[@cha0ticneutralbigs]

I think of it as video archiving

[@Jeffrey-wx2hz]

I love that you open the vintage puzzles. It shows that you are not just a collector (who does it for the money) but you’re a puzzle lover!

[@DieAlteistwiederda]

I also think there is a lot of value in opening them and showing them in detail and also collecting information about them. You can't see everything just from the picture on the box for example you wouldn't know how the cut of the pieces is or what kind of cardboard they used for the puzzle.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I never got back to it in the video, but the clue for OOOO was "No score going into the third" and the clue for UUUU was "Two W's" 🤦🏻‍♀

[@henryD9363]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It was driving me crazy and it's a short drive.

[@Waterflame]

Thank you!! I was about to comment and ask when I saw this!!

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

When I saw the UUUU, my first though was "that's two Ws!".

[@AB-el5oy]

Haha so glad the mystery was solved!

[@icturner23]

What does the OOOO clue mean? And the UUUU one is plain stupid.

[@misshelvedMLIS]

My oh my -- I laughed so hard. I didn't see that coming at all. Also, as a librarian, I think there is a lot of value in opening up the sealed puzzles and documenting/sharing information about the original contents. It's not like you're running through a toy museum and tearing things open willy nilly.

[@cowoljarwoff]

A bunch of these are rare or hard to find. Some of them you can't even find PHOTOS of... So, Karen digging them out of the depths of history, and opening them to share with the world is honestly fantastic! I'm a perfectionist, and usually I'd agree that I like things kept wrapped, but Karen is the only reference anywhere online to some of these! It's amazing! Also, my oh my! I was so unbelievably happy that the "L" piece wasn't missing in the end. So satisfying 😂

[@leahbell7661]

Karen, I love you dearly. This video made me laugh with how much you went back and edited in “I should’ve done more research” or “I was very wrong” lol. You’re hilarious.

[@KarenPuzzles]

It's so hard to know how much research to do vs just experiencing the puzzle fresh. I got it wrong in this video 😭

[@nancymandle5215]

i’ve followed your channel for many years, and i just wanted to tell you how interesting your “deep dive” escapades have become - my oh my! I love the history of the various companies, all your research, data, the puzzle makers i have never heard of - i just love all of it!!!!! My oh my! And then the new world of competitive puzzling you have opened up for us - to know that has been an alternate reality for my entire life up until you shared it with us - my oh my!

[@KarenPuzzles]

That’s so nice to hear. These videos have become so much more complicated than they were at the beginning!

[@user-fg1gt2ft2l]

I'm not a puzzle collector but you opening a vintage puzzle and doing a deep dive on it (not only taking pictures etc) I think adds so much more to the puzzle community! And maybe to the *crosswords* community too😀

[@PaxxTan]

I love that you open up the puzzles and solve them. I don’t care about looking at a box that you can’t interact with, especially when inside is a fun puzzle designed to be touched and put together. (Also, I think we can all tell that you handle the puzzles with care.) Keep doing what you’re doing :)

[@Lisa_Flowers]

You don't understand how your videos are such a genuine comfort in my currently very difficult life. Especially the longer research-based videos, there's something so weirdly cosy and safe about hearing you deep-dive into these puzzles! Thank you for all your efforts, from the big to small details that really make these videos so high quality and polished.

[@KarenPuzzles]

That's so nice of you to say. I'm so happy you enjoy them.

[@nekokicker]

I think opening a sealed puzzle in the way you are doing it. Is equally as important. That is preserving the experience and having a record of the puzzle that won’t deteriorate. Keeping stuff preserved is a lot more than just keeping the “thing” in question. Thanks for the video Karen, crossword!!

[@Pysslis]

She is basically creating a digital archive.

[@lukesmithkaz]

You've definitely converted me into not caring about 1 or 2 missing pieces... but I don't know if I could force myself to finish a puzzle with that many missing pieces!

[@Squirreltasticqueen]

Puzzles are meant to be played, by opening old unopened stuff you are finally allowing it to fulfill its purpose.

[@eliscore]

I feel very appreciative that we standardized puzzle shapes

[@Pysslis]

Yeah, that random cut from the 1930s looked, not fun.

[@MrFiddler1959]

My oh my! I’m not especially into crosswords, but love the concept. I don’t think I’d ever write on the jigsaw, vintage or not - I think I’d make a copy of the image and solve it on paper so someone else could have the opportunity to do both (“I’m not a monster!” 😂). The Tetris piece shapes are fascinating; that’s something I’d like to try.

[@KarenPuzzles]

Someone else said you could write on a piece of acetate on top of the jigsaw, which I think is a great solution too.

[@charisma-hornum-fries]

Nothing a sheet of plastic or baking paper can't solve. As Karen wrote a piece of acetate would probably be a solution.

[@carolinayoshida762]

Just love your almost one hour videos, it shows how much effort you put on them 😊🥰

[@kommalmadkaikar3911]

Who gets inspired when we watch her doing puzzles

[@PokhrajRoy.]

The fact that we don’t have enough of Crossword Jigsaw Puzzles is sad. We should have more of them.

[@KarenPuzzles]

There can never be enough!

[@78selsey]

I would definitely not of done the puzzle knowing pieces were missing. I'm amazed how you manage to do so many puzzles just brilliant.

[@jurds216]

Just ordered a Mother’s Day gift using your code and it’ll be delivered by Saturday! So excited to see my mom’s reaction to her custom puzzle of her girls!

[@KarenPuzzles]

You have to tell me what she thinks!

[@katecmaloney]

I love the shirt choice for this puzzle. 😉 On point!

[@KarenPuzzles]

I love a theme 🙌🏻

[@LittleBlue001]

I bought a rare board game sealed in the box and opened it because it was mine, and I wanted to enjoy it. Keep opening your puzzles.

[@crushingbelial]

6:24 I adore these styles of time lapses. With the nostalgic music it's so pleasant

[@DavidvanDeijk]

the black and white top really fits the theme of this episode.

[@bobair2]

I believe Karen with what you know you make us all smarter and that is because your knowledge is based on research and good old fashion observation. Karen you have made me interested in puzzles with your enthusiasm and the joyful way you have in presenting your videos. I like very much a video every Sunday of what you offer,it is so much fun and yes I am somewhat nerdy and I am okay with that.A fun and informative video! "my Oh My" !

[@MaMaeViElle]

I have the double dilemma springbok crossword puzzle. I got it for 2$ from a hospice shop and all the pieces were there. It was an epic find!

[@Staticjokes]

Absolutely love that your shirt matches the puzzle

[@zorgus2002]

Great video Karen! You are absolutely right to open the seal on heirloom boxes. Puzzles are made to be solved! Thank you for sharing these crossword jigsaws with us, Karen

[@kcbrandao3802]

The piece shapes are so cool. I love that! Thanks for sharing.

[@staceylee9910]

Puzzlephile recently solved the crossword jigsaw you mentioned at 43:06 on his channel - it was super interesting!

[@KarenPuzzles]

I'll have to look that up!

[@chillpuzzle2791]

Oh wow! What a great idea for Mother's Day!

[@JudithARobinson]

I had no idea there were so many crossword jigsaw puzzles out there! I have three, including one double-sided one with sudoku puzzles on the reverse, and none of them were in this video! They all came from my mum's collection and are from the 80's and 90's, so not as vintage as most of Karen's! I found them all to be challenging, but great fun too.

[@nbourbs7689]

I love crossword puzzles too! I have two more modern crossword jigsaw puzzles and you have motivated me to give one of them a try! My Oh My, I am definitely going to write all over mine to solve the crossword!

[@carolynbroussard9276]

I primarily only do vintage but can appreciate all. Love your channel and deep dives into vintage companies. I’m excited you open vintage puzzles and share the beauty with so many.. happy puzzling. 🧩🧩🧩🥳

[@SamSpen]

Gosh I was just speaking about you today and how it had been a couple weeks since I'd seen anything from you. Looking forward to watching, this combines a couple of my interests!

[@KarenPuzzles]

I only skipped one video last week! If you go back onto my channel you can see others you may have missed.

[@noshinskoala]

one time I thrifted a mini puzzle and when I opened it there were literally 8 pieces inside 😂 (it was only supposed to be like 50, but still I was sad. but it was like 99¢)

[@KarenPuzzles]

Noooo. Ok that's a situation I wouldn't have even attempted 😭

[@sidmelucci3675]

My oh my! That was an interesting batch of CROSSWORD puzzles / jigsaw puzzles! My mother loved both crosswords and jigsaws, so your lovely flower-embellished creation would have been the perfect gift. I wish I could have given it to her.

[@ashleydawn8989]

Wait, the idea of a giant wipe-off crossword puzzle sounds AMAZING

[@frogleymom]

My parents once bought a 6ft square crossword puzzle that we put on the wall in a hallway. The clues for it were a whole book. It lived there for YEARS. Every time my uncle would come visit he would try to get one small square done. My mom eventually pulled it down after my brothers got a little crazy and ripped it.

[@puzzlesbypam2442]

I’m glad you open vintage puzzles and solve them. They should be enjoyed! I would have finished that one missing all those pieces and just taken a picture, put it on my instagram and kept it (just because it was vintage). Probably wouldn’t do it again though.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I doubt I'll ever do it again either, unless I can get a guaranteed complete copy.

[@msmeow8275]

So excited for a new puzzle post! I recently found your channel and you have reignited my love for puzzling. ❤

[@helensavin1162]

Absolute respect. I’m all for the fully interlocking variety!

[@blackthornbark]

i love your fashion choices - this shirt is so cute! and so thematically well for today's episode :D

[@judyengela]

My oh my! great research as usual, Karen!!

[@maxrydzyn6263]

Big thanks for that sponsor. I was thinking about ordering from PuzzleYOU for over a year now, and with that discount code I finally got a push to get 1000 pieces with a picture my friend drew for my birthday. I wanted to check their quality as I already have two more pieces from different artists I want to turn into jigsaw puzzle

[@coyoteartist]

Not sure I knew that Halls did puzzles, but it make sense. They'd have sold them in Halls Department Store. 1928 would be the second location on 11th Street also known as"Petticoat Lane" in KC.

[@jeremym7550]

I actually really enjoy it when you go into these puzzles, especially older ones, with your initial theories before doing a ton of research! It’s interesting seeing your thought process, and I also love editing Karen’s messages popping in 😆

[@rumpelstilzchen3045]

My oh my is this a relaxing youtube channel

[@RosyRosie42]

My oh my! That’s a great set of crossword jigsaw puzzles! Thanks for sharing!

[@hilarysoloff8936]

What a great deep dive - I would never have thought there were so many crossword jigsaw puzzles. I do like the idea of doing the jigsaw by solving the crossword but would not be tempted by any of the black and white ones only. I don't mind one or two missing pieces in a puzzle (if the puzzle is enjoyable 😃) but don't think I would have your perseverance to finish that vintage one! I guess that is one of the many things that makes us enjoy your channel so much.

[@CakedCrusader9]

Ahhh yay! My mom is a huge fan of both crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Your gift idea is PERFECT! Going to get that for her asap ☺️ thank you!

[@KarenPuzzles]

Amazing! I hope she loves it!

[@moniquevandermeer6567]

My oh my! I love the gift of a new video of KCP; Karen Crossword Puzzles! Thank you!

[@carolinayoshida762]

The Mother's Day Crossword Puzzle is so cute!

[@ijlayugan4149]

So cool seeing vintage puzzles. Crazy how you get them so quickly!

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

I can confirm the existence of huge crossword puzzles in the 70s. We had one when I was younger, although we never had it hang from a wall. The clue numbers ran into the thousands. I don't recall it being very hard, other than it being huge.

[@margaretmuenchau5450]

I love to watch your videos. I have never been one to do jigsaw puzzles, I don’t have the patience. It just amazes me that so many people do!

[@Brocolli_Pizza]

You are the queen of obscure puzzles!

[@henhonk]

Woah! Just happened to be SUPER early today. Can't wait to watch this one, I love crosswords! Happy Sunday, Karen!

[@ijlayugan4149]

The jigsaw finished crossword puzzle also being a fun word game where you can guess what the word is to make it easier to complete the puzzle

[@TimwiTerby]

I know your channel is jigsaws, but my oh my, I would definitely love to watch you solve a cryptic crossword some time! Myohmy!

[@someoneelse7629]

Oh I have an Aunt who would love this, she and her husband lowes both, and as they are getting older and less mobile it is one of the few things they still can do together

[@theempath8244]

I had a brand new puzzle that had 13 pieces missing - 6 edges a 7 middle and yes, I did complete it. This was a 1000 piece puzzle as well.

[@agnieszka6047]

so, i’ve been in a car for 11 hours straight going back from vacation watching your videos and now it’s 9 pm and instead of doing a bit of unpacking I’m about to start working on one of my jigsaw puzzles, my husband’s looking at me like i was crazy 😂😂😂 love your videos ❤

[@Chianti6]

We had that puzzle in a tube (the one with the black ends). It hung on the wall in our basement for at least a couple of years. We had so very many big crosswords hanging on the walls, although I think it more in the 80s than 70s. That might have been because I and my siblings were getting old enough for crosswords, but it is probably also because my mom never bought puzzles new. She only thrifted them. 😺

[@Chianti6]

Mom always hung 3 things on strings, right next to the crossword puzzles. A pencil, a pencil sharpener, and the clue booklet.

[@VirginiaGreco_Scrapbooking]

My, oh my, Karen. This video is sooo interesting and fun. I adore crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles, of course, I should try one of this. Thank you for your videos, I love them!

[@sharonolsen6579]

press n seal .. apply then you can pick up and flip ..... or...put together on a movable flat surface.. then put another on top of finished puzzle.. then flip the entire thing over.. like inverting a cake onto another plate... great video... !

[@jtcreates927]

My oh my! It's an interesting idea but I would love to have some colours...!

[@allstarsrgone]

The fact that the second puzzle had the 'I's in a different font and *1* of the 'L's in a different font, really got to me

[@KarenPuzzles]

I know, that was bugging me too!

[@rickvaiBBB]

What a shame about the 1st vintage one. I would have given up and threw it in the trash. I feel disappointed when one piece is missing. The My Oh My word part almost had me spitting out my coffee ha ha. Love the research you put into your videos.

[@Kirstyglow]

My oh my what an amazing crossword puzzle video I'm so excited to see the videos back again hope you're well lotsa love and hugs💙🌸😻🫂

[@KarenPuzzles]

I only took one week off from posting a new video! I haven't gone anywhere.

[@Sailor_Enchantix]

TIL: not only are crossword jigsaws a thing, but that they have an extensive history, and Cross-Jig is from Meriden, CT. My home state and only a 15 min drive away.

[@shillenzez549]

It's always great to watch your videos. You are very smiling, it's nice to see. I wish you lots of happiness in your life

[@diannadarling699]

Not too interested in solving (haha) crosswords puzzles but that Tetris-shaped one got an oooo out of me

[@jeannietrapnell1000]

Yes I definitely would do a crossword jigsaw puzzle! I love both.

[@lizdit2591]

Hi Karen, I'm a jigsaw puzzle fan and wow, I really enjoy your videos!!

[@puzzlerpolly4821]

Loved this! This would have taken me so long haha

[@awkward567]

You've influenced me. I need a shirt that looks like a crossword now!

[@claireloub]

We are crossworders as well as puzzlers. I have breakfast with my parents every weekend and we always do a crossword together. Now they live far away we do it via videocall and my dad scans in the crossword and we sit with our clipboards at different ends of the country and just have to be very specific about which clue we're on. I've never got on with cryptic crosswords though - at uni it's the kind of thing you would do if you had to sit on a stall for 4 hours and there were plenty of people to help, and even then you'd only get 1 or 2 clues an hour. The Telegraph newspaper does a 50-50 crossword where all the down clues are normal and the across clues are cryptic and that's a good entrance into it.

[@smarterthanawaffle]

modernize this crossword idea. that's a blast. so fun.

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

As I watched this video, I kept thinking to myself "My oh my!" First, the puzzle that didn't fit together and was missing like half the pieces ("My oh my!!") and then the puzzle that was printed on the back!! ("My oh my, indeed!!")

[@rhyssaunders9863]

The music was extra good in this video. Love the idea of doing a crossword jigsaw puzzle almost as much as I love the idea of a sudoku jigsaw!

[@KarenPuzzles]

Thank you! It always takes so long to find the perfect music 😭

[@lindaoharris]

This was fun to watch and learn.

[@Fledeye]

46:06 I only discovered your videos a couple of weeks ago and am slowly making my way through them, I love your passion! My mum had the UK doublesided puzzle. Im pretty sure the clues were on one side and the grid was on the other. Sadly it was lost in a house move otherwise I'd have been more than happy to send it to you.

[@katieglabe919]

Karen! I stumbled across an eBay seller with over 250 vintage springbok puzzles listed! Many still in their original plastic wrap. They said they are selling their grandma’s collection.

[@KarenPuzzles]

What is their username?

[@Jeffrey-wx2hz]

Can’t wait for all the info!

[@user-jr2vo1dx3p]

Thanks for the discount code. I've been wanting to have a custom jigsaw puzzle made - so I ordered one.

[@KarenPuzzles]

I hope you like it!

[@bonepeonies]

This was really fun! And, like many people have already said in the comments, I totally agree that I’m glad you open these puzzles. It’s not like you’re doing the equivalent of taking a one-of-kind classic vintage dress and pulling it apart to make something else, or anything like that. And keeping something in plastic doesn’t guarantee that it will be preserved well, either! (Also the part about the my oh my answer was funny! It’s so true that sometimes you read a word one way and it’s so hard to look at it a different way afterwards.)

[@AbluMu]

My oh my! I don’t think crossword puzzles are for me. 😅 But I still love your video about it. 🥳

[@icturner23]

Actually, when I worked on a puzzle magazine that was exactly like that ‘Tetris’-type one. And you’ll like the name… Bits ‘n’ Pieces.

[@carolinayoshida762]

Love your videos!

[@adrienschmitt178]

I just finished the sunday crossword and happen tio find this video randomly! this is AMAZING!!

[@KarenPuzzles]

Congrats on finishing the Sunday crossword!

[@MarielaDavina]

Clicked on the video at 5.01pm UK time 😀 My oh my, Karen does excellent research! 👌🏼

[@KarenPuzzles]

Thank you!

[@TheJameslehr]

Why, the best of both worlds!

[@Artsyfandom]

Personally I see it as what’s the use of just buying something only to display unless that’s it’s sole purpose like a funko pop. Jigsaw puzzles both vintage and new are for solving and enjoying. You know really it’s about each to their own. You want to keep vintage puzzles wrapped in the box, go for it but I’m going to open and have fun with mine ok lol.

[@cleaa-wd8cw]

The first crossword puzzle you did, reminds me of the puzzle I just finished. It was a small round one don't know how many pieces. Idk if vintage but the pieces did not lock into each other and kept moving. Should of used felt!! Ugh next time😅

[@williandalsoto806]

My oh my, what a fun video!

[@LordTalismond]

I did a 6' Crossword puzzle in the 70's, probably was the one you showed (not the wipe off one).

[@adam-l74]

Such an interesting and unique puzzle.

[@bettyhonold2842]

I would try the crossword jigsaw puzzle! My puzzle collection is rapidly growing!