The third hexagram line of the "Yijing" (Book of Changes) reads: "Do not marry a woman; if you see a wealthy man, do not bow to him, for there is no profit in it." The hexagram symbolizes: "Do not marry a woman; your actions will not be smooth." This hexagram warns that in ignorance, if one sees profit and forgets righteousness, losing their original heart, they will ultimately gain nothing. For us who knit handmade pet sweaters, this is a spiritual admonition knitted into every stitch.
If the heart is not upright, the actions will not be smooth
In the third hexagram of the hexagram of Meng, the yin hexagram occupies the yang position, which is neither centered nor upright, and is restless and loses its essence. "Seeing a wealthy man, not having a proper posture," metaphorically means that people abandon their principles when they see profits, cling to others when they see power, and lose their own integrity. In the art of knitting, it is to be restless and impulsive, chasing fame and profit, forgetting the warmth of the needle and thread in hand and the original intention.
Historical Lesson: If one sacrifices integrity for personal gain, they will ultimately reap nothing
The calamity of Lord Chunshen Huang Xie
During the Warring States period, Lord Chunshen Huang Xie married the younger sister of Li Yuan. This woman saw the opportunity to curry favor and encouraged Huang Xie to present her to the King of Chu in order to plot to seize the throne. After the plan was successful, the siblings of Li Yuan feared that their conspiracy would be exposed, so they devised a plan to kill Huang Xie. Huang Xie, who had married someone who "saw gold and did not bow," ultimately met his tragic end, which aptly echoes the admonition of "avoiding profit at all costs.".
The snobbishness of Su Qin's family
Su Qin was down and out in his early years, and his family was ashamed to be associated with him. When he returned home in triumph, wearing the six-state prime minister's seal, his family greeted him with prostrations. Such disloyalty and loss of original intention is a reflection of "not having integrity", and it is difficult to achieve long-term growth.
Inspiration for hand knitters: Keep your heart and craft, and you will achieve your goal
1. "Not obsessed with quick success, but cherishing the beauty of slow workmanship."
Nowadays, fast fashion is prevalent, and some people crave "ready-to-wear in a week" and "machine-knitted garments", forsaking the warmth and texture of handmade stitches. The third hexagram of the hexagram of Meng warns: do not lose your "integrity" (handmade original intention) for the sake of "money" (quick profits). The value of a handmade puppy sweater lies in the patience of every stitch and the warmth of every weave. Slow work produces fine work, which is the soul of handmade craftsmanship.
2. "Unencumbered by fame and profit, we guard the purity of our craft."
Some people, in their pursuit of popularity and high prices, produce shoddy work, passing off inferior goods as quality ones, forgetting their original intention of knitting. The third hexagram of the hexagram of Meng warns: if the heart is not upright, then the actions will not be smooth. Handmade dog sweater knitters should take craftsmanship as their foundation and craftsmanship as their soul. Each sweater should be a condensation of the heart, not a vassal of interests.
3. "Unmoved by vanity, we guard the true essence of our original aspiration."
Seeing others chasing trends and changing styles, one blindly follows suit, losing their own style and perseverance. The third hexagram of the hexagram of Meng reminds us: to be swayed by new ideas and change course, ultimately leads to no benefit. The essence of hand-knitting pet jumpers lies in focus and persistence. By maintaining one's own stitching technique and aesthetic, one can knit works that have soul and warmth.
The third hexagram of the hexagram of Meng, for us who knit handmade dog jumper, is a mirror of the heart. It tells us that the art of handcrafting lies not in quick success or fame and fortune, but in guarding the heart, preserving the craft, and staying true to our original aspirations. Every stitch is a form of cultivation; every knit and loop reflects our true self. Only by not being blinded by profit or swayed by power can we knit warmth, knit the passage of time, and knit the purity and brilliance that belong to those who knit handmade sweaters.
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Post time: May-13-2026