NYT Unveils Strands Hints and Answers for September 6 Puzzle

Lead The New York Times today released the hints and full solution for its Strands word game, detailing the theme “In stitches,” the spangram “KNITTING PROJECT,” and five related words for the September 6 puzzle.

Nut Graf Strands, the Times’ newest daily word challenge, tasks solvers with finding theme-related words on a six-by-eight grid and one “spangram” that spans two edges. By publishing timely hints and answers, the Times sustains player engagement and helps newcomers master the evolving game format.

Puzzle Details

The Saturday puzzle centered on handcrafted fabric items. Solvers received a thematic hint and two clue phrases before the answers were revealed.

Theme and Clues

• Theme: “In stitches”
• Primary hint: “Things made by joining fabric together”
• Extra clue: “Get out the needles and yarn”

Spangram

• Answer: KNITTING PROJECT
• Orientation: Vertical across the grid

Theme Words

• SOCKS
• SWEATER
• BLANKET
• BOOTIES
• MITTENS

Game Mechanics

Strands combines elements of word searches, crosswords, and path-finding puzzles. Players connect adjacent letters-horizontally, vertically, or diagonally-to discover theme words. Uncovering three unrelated words of at least four letters unlocks a game hint. The spangram, once found, highlights in yellow and confirms the overarching theme, while smaller words appear in blue.

Popularity and Outlook

Since its launch, Strands has attracted a dedicated following, complementing the Times’ lineup of Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword. Its blend of vocabulary depth and spatial strategy aims to keep enthusiasts returning daily.