The third hexagram line of the "Tun" hexagram in the Book of Changes reads: "Chasing a deer without a guide, one only ends up in the forest; a gentleman seizes opportunities when they arise, rather than persisting and ending up in straits." This ancient wisdom serves as a motto for us, the knitters of handmade pet sweaters.
A brief explanation of the hexagram: "Ji Lu" and "Wu Yu" of the handmade dog sweater knitter
The hexagram Tun symbolizes the initial emergence of all things and the difficulties of initiating everything. The third line, Yin occupying the Yang position, is restless and out of place, like a handmade worker who is initially amazed by a beautiful pattern and can't resist the urge to start hand knitting with rare yarns.
"Jilu" represents the "temptation" in our eyes - intricate jacquard patterns, challenging cable knits, and limited-edition yarn materials, all of which are tempting "prey".
Worry-free: It's the "guide" we lack - not familiar with the stitch, not counting the number of stitches, not preparing enough thread, not testing the small sample, and blindly starting to knit.
Entering the woods: It means making mistakes in knitting, running out of thread, and distorting the pattern, leading to more and more chaos as one falls into the dilemma of the "dismantling-knitting cycle".
A gentleman knows when to quit: a knitter should stop and cut losses when they see things going wrong, rather than persisting until the end.
Historical lessons: the cautionary tale of "past miserliness"
Ma Su's defeat at Jie Ting: Without caution, one risks everything
During Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition, Ma Su volunteered to defend Jieting Pass, relying on his familiarity with military tactics. However, he ignored Wang Ping's warnings and abandoned the water source, choosing to camp on the mountain, blindly venturing into danger like a deer without a hunter. Eventually, he was besieged by Sima Yi, Jieting Pass fell, and the Northern Expedition fell through. This is akin to a knitter who disregards experience and instruction, challenging a difficult pattern with mere enthusiasm, ultimately ruining the entire handmade sweater.
Guan Yu's loss of Jingzhou: greed for credit and rash advance, losing the forest for the trees
Guan Yu launched a northern expedition to Xiangfan, flooding seven armies and shocking the whole China with his might. However, he did not leave a significant force to guard Jingzhou, like chasing a deer without considering the forest. He only focused on immediate military achievements, ignoring the vacancy in the rear. Lv Meng crossed the river in white clothes, and Jingzhou changed hands. Guan Yu retreated to the city of Ma. Knitters often behave similarly: they become obsessed with new designs, forgetting to check the measurements and leave room for the neckline and cuffs. Only when they reach the end of knitting do they realize that it doesn't fit, and they have to tear it down and start over.
Chen Yingci Wang: Know when to stop and you won't be in danger; be wise and protect yourself
At the end of the Qin Dynasty, a young man from Dongyang wanted to make Chen Ying king. Chen Ying knew he lacked the necessary conditions - no soldiers, no strategy, and difficulty in controlling the crowd. He listened to his mother's advice and declined the throne, instead joining Xiang Liang and ultimately ending up well. This is a classic example of "a gentleman prefers to give up rather than pursue too much": the knitter knew his skills were insufficient, so he didn't seek to be greedy or quick. Instead, he practiced basic stitches first, and then progressed gradually.
The Art of Knitting: Practical Insights from the Third Line of the Trigram Tun
Don't be greedy for "deer": assess first, then act
When encountering a style that catches your eye, first ask yourself:
Is the needle technique proficient? (Is there any "doubt" or concern?)
Is the yarn material sufficient? (Is there enough "supply")
Is there enough time? (Is there the "energy")
If conditions are insufficient, it's better to save the design and practice first, rather than blindly starting to knit.
See "several" and quit: cut your losses in time, don't linger in battle
Halfway through knitting, I realized:
Pattern distortion, dimensional deviation
Color difference and insufficient yarn material
The stitching technique is complex and difficult to advance
Don't force yourself! Disassemble parts, change the design, or simply stop, save the yarn and energy, and try again tomorrow.
First comes "Yu", then comes "Lu"
Novices should first learn basic stitches, needle counting, and knitting small samples. This is the "preliminary step" for knitters.
For complex styles, first watch tutorials, ask experienced people, draw diagrams, and prepare a "guide" before starting.
In times of difficulty, stability is more important than speed, and adhering to principles is more likely to succeed than rushing ahead.
Handcraft knitting is essentially a practice of patience and meticulous work. The third hexagram line of the Book of Changes warns us: "If there is no worry, do not chase after the deer; know when to stop and then you will gain." Do not be tempted by momentary pleasures, do not take risks without preparation, and seize opportunities when they arise. Only then can you weave warmth and calmness between every stitch.
May each of us, as craftsmen, be able to stay true to our original aspirations, discern the right timing, and not lose our way in the world of craftsmanship, ultimately creating masterpieces.
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Post time: Apr-23-2026