You can use a checkered diagonal pattern, as well.
Crosswords come in all shapes and sizes. The original crossword puzzle, invented by Arthur Wynne in 1913 for the New York World, was designed as a diamond shape with no black-out squares, according to Lemelson-MIT. The New York Times adopted the crossword puzzle in the 1942. Modern puzzles are square design with 15 squares by 15 squares for daily and 21 by 21 Sunday. You can make any size grid. However you decide to shape your puzzle, crosswords are a stimulating hobby that keeps your mind sharp.
Instructions
1. Write a list of 40 words, varying in size from three to seven letters. Most crossword puzzles, such as those that serve as study tools, use themes. For example, a "geology" theme might include the following words: rock, lava and igneous.
2. Choose the density of your crossword puzzle. The density of your crossword puzzle determines how many letters each word shares across and down. A dense puzzle might have every open space belong to a down or across clue. A less dense puzzle might only intersect one out of every five letters.
3. Find doubles of less occurring letters, such as X, Y, Z, V, C and Q. Plot the words into your graph paper, so that one half of the set moves horizontally while the other half moves vertically. For example, if you want to include the words "xylophone" and "xi" in your puzzle, plot one word horizontally and the other vertically, so that the Xs overlap.
4. Match letters from words already plotted on the graph paper to words you have yet to plot. Try to move from less frequent letters to more frequent letters, ending with E, M and S. For example, if you already plotted the word "xylophone," and your list contains the word "plates," match the "p" from "plates" to the "p" from "xylophone."
5. Adjust word placement, after you plot all of your words, until you are satisfied with the results. Ask a puzzle friend to test the difficulty for you.
6. Create clues for each of the words, down and across. You can use definitions, pictures or puns for your clue. For example, with the word "xylophone," you could create a definition clue ("Musical instrument containing tuned wooden bars struck at by a mallet"), a picture or a pun ("First X example").
7. Redraw your crossword puzzle on graph paper, Microsoft Excel or any graphics software. When using graph paper, black out those squares not used in the puzzle.
Tags: crossword puzzle, graph paper, your crossword, your crossword puzzle, already plotted, dense puzzle
